Patrick O Brian Popular Books
Patrick O Brian Biography & Facts
Patrick O'Brian (12 December 1914 – 2 January 2000), born Richard Patrick Russ, was an English novelist and translator, best known for his Aubrey–Maturin series of sea novels set in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, and centred on the friendship of the English naval captain Jack Aubrey and the Irish–Catalan physician Stephen Maturin. The 20-novel series, the first of which is Master and Commander, is known for its well-researched and highly detailed portrayal of early 19th-century life, as well as its authentic and evocative language. A partially finished 21st novel in the series was published posthumously containing facing pages of handwriting and typescript. O'Brian wrote a number of other novels and short stories, most of which were published before he achieved success with the Aubrey–Maturin series. He also translated works from French to English, and wrote biographies of Joseph Banks and Picasso. His major success as a writer came late in life, when the Aubrey–Maturin series caught the eye of an American publisher. The series drew more readers and favourable reviews when the author was in his seventies. Near the end of his life, and in the same year that he lost his wife, British media revealed details of O'Brian's early life, first marriage, and post-war change of name, causing distress to the very private author and to many of his readers at that time. Personal life and privacy Childhood, early career and marriages O'Brian was christened as Richard Patrick Russ, in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, a son of Charles Russ, an English physician of German descent, and Jessie Russ (née Goddard), an English woman of Irish descent. The eighth of nine children, O'Brian lost his mother at the age of four, and his biographers describe a fairly isolated childhood, limited by poverty, with sporadic schooling, at St Marylebone Grammar School from 1924 to 1926, while living in Putney, and then at Lewes Grammar School, from September 1926 to July 1929, after the family moved to Lewes, East Sussex, but with intervals at home with his father and stepmother Zoe Center.His literary career began in his childhood, with the publication of his earliest works, including several short stories. The book Hussein, An Entertainment published by Oxford University Press in 1938, and the short-story collection Beasts Royal brought considerable critical praise, especially considering his youth. He published his first novel at age 15, Caesar: The Life Story of a Panda Leopard, with help from his father.: 50 In 1927 he applied unsuccessfully to enter the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. In 1934, he underwent a brief period of pilot training with the Royal Air Force, but that was not successful and he left the RAF. Prior to that, his application to join the Royal Navy had been rejected on health grounds. In 1935, he was living in London, where he married his first wife, Elizabeth Jones, in 1936. They had two children. The second was a daughter who suffered from spina bifida, and died in 1942, aged three, in a country village in Sussex. When the child died, O'Brian had already returned to London, where he worked throughout the war. The details of his employment during the Second World War are murky. He worked as an ambulance driver, and he stated that he worked in intelligence in the Political Intelligence Department (PID). Dean King has said O'Brian was actively involved in intelligence work and perhaps special operations overseas during the war.: 89–104 Indeed, despite his usual extreme reticence about his past, O'Brian wrote in an essay, "Black, Choleric and Married?", included in the book Patrick O'Brian: Critical Appreciations and a Bibliography (1994) that: "Some time after the blitz had died away I joined one of those intelligence organisations that flourished during the War, perpetually changing their initials and competing with one another. Our work had to do with France, and more than that I shall not say, since disclosing methods and stratagems that have deceived the enemy once and that may deceive him again seems to me foolish. After the war we retired to Wales (I say we because my wife and I had driven ambulances and served in intelligence together) where we lived for a while in a high Welsh-speaking valley..." which confirms in first person the intelligence connection, as well as introducing his wife Mary Tolstoy, née Wicksteed, as a co-worker and fellow intelligence operative. Nikolai Tolstoy, stepson through O'Brian's marriage to Mary, disputes that account, confirming only that O'Brian worked as a volunteer ambulance driver during the Blitz when he met Mary, the separated wife of Russian-born nobleman and lawyer Count Dimitri Tolstoy. They lived together through the latter part of the war and, after both were divorced from their previous spouses, they married in July 1945. The following month he changed his name by deed poll to Patrick O'Brian. Sailing experience As background to his later sea-going novels, O'Brian did claim to have had limited experience on a square-rigged sailing vessel, as described within his previously-quoted 1994 essay: The disease that racked my bosom every now and then did not much affect my strength and when it left me in peace (for there were long remissions) sea-air and sea-voyages were recommended. An uncle had a two-ton sloop and several friends had boats, which was fine, but what was even better was that my particular friend Edward, who shared a tutor with me, had a cousin who possessed an ocean-going yacht, a converted square-rigged merchantman, that he used to crew with undergraduates and fair-sized boys, together with some real seamen, and sail far off into the Atlantic. The young are wonderfully resilient, and although I never became much of a topman, after a while I could hand, reef and steer without disgrace, which allowed more ambitious sailoring later on. However, in 1995, venture capitalist Thomas Perkins offered O'Brian a two-week cruise aboard his then sailing yacht, a 154-foot (47 m) ketch. In an article about the experience written after O'Brian's death, Perkins commented that "... his knowledge of the practical aspects of sailing seemed, amazingly, almost nil" and "... he seemed to have no feeling for the wind and the course, and frequently I had to intervene to prevent a full standing gybe. I began to suspect that his autobiographical references to his months at sea as a youth were fanciful." Life after the Second World War Between 1946 and 1949 the O'Brians lived in Cwm Croesor, a remote valley in north Wales, where they initially rented a cottage from Clough Williams-Ellis. O'Brian pursued his interest in natural history; he fished, went birdwatching, and followed the local hunt. During this time they lived on Mary O'Brian's small income and the limited earnings from O'Brian's writings. In 1949 O'Brian and Mary moved to Collioure, a Catalan town in southern France. He and Mary remained together in Collioure until.... Discover the Patrick O Brian popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Patrick O Brian books.
Best Seller Patrick O Brian Books of 2024
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The Journals of Captain Cook
Captain James Cook & Philip EdwardsCook led three famous expeditions to the Pacific Ocean between 1768 and 1779. In voyages that ranged from the Antarctic circle to the Arctic Sea, Cook charted Australia and the who...
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African Myths of Origin
Stephen BelcherGathering a wide range of traditional African myths, this compelling new collection offers tales of heroes battling mighty serpents and monstrous birds, brutal family conflict and ...
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A Sea of Words
Dean King & John B. HattendorfA guide to the British Royal Navy in the Napoleonic Age for fans of the Aubrey–Maturin series: “A gem of a book” (Minneapolis Star Tribune). What is a sandgrouse, and where ...
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The Jack Lark Library
Paul Fraser CollardAvailable together for the first time, The Jack Lark Library by Paul Fraser Collard is complete Jack Lark backstory. Includes brandnew, neverbeforeseen prequel: RASCAL A mustread f...
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John Quentin - Kampf um Malta
Erwin Resch & Rainer DelfsDer zweite Roman der großen Seefahrersaga um den ungewöhnlichen Helden John Quentin. Im Jahr 1800: John Quentin ist als Protegé von Admiral Nelson vom Fähnrich zum Commander in der...
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Six Days
Patrick J. O'BrianPolice sergeant Tim Packard is a man known for getting things done. When a new police chief is appointed, Packard heads up a new task force designed to cut down recent drug traffic...
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Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales from Burns to Buchan
Gordon JarvieMystery and excitement abound in this lively collection of fairy tales, folklore and legends, which celebrate Scotland's enormously rich oral tradition and offers a carefully chose...
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Rebell unter Segeln
Frank AdamDer Auftakt der großen Seefahrersaga über die Anfänge der amerikanischen Marine Im Amerikanischen Unabhängigkeitskrieg segelt Sven Larsson auf Kaperschiffen der Neuen Welt. Mit der...
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A Call To Arms
Allan MallinsonThe Sunday Times bestselling author Allan Mallinson, brings us another actionpacked and stirring Matthew Hervey adventure. If you like Patrick O'Brian, Bernard Cornwell and CS Fore...
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Harbors and High Seas
Dean King & John B. HattendorfThis companion for fans of the Napoleonic sea sagas offers maps of the novels’ streets, seas, and coasts, and much more. The tallmasted sailing ships of the early nineteenth...
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John Quentin - Im Auge des Sturms
Erwin ReschEin neues spannendes Abenteuer mit Commander John Quentin. Frankreich, im Jahre 1801: Napoleon Bonaparte hat eine riesige Armee in BoulognesurMer zusammengezogen, mit der er nach E...
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Company Of Spears
Allan MallinsonTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR Allan Mallinson brings us another adrenalinfuelled, absorbing adventure featuring Matthew Hervey. If you like Patrick O'Brian, Bernard Cornwell ...
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Rumours Of War
Allan MallinsonPerfect for fans of Patrick O'Brian, Bernard Cornwell and CS Forester, another engrossing Matthew Hervey adventure from the pen of THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR Allan Mallins...
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Hall of Smoke
H.M. LongEpic fantasy featuring warrior priestesses, and fickle gods at war, for readers of Brian Staveley's Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne.Epic fantasy featuring warrior priestesses and f...
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Mr Midshipman Fury
G.S. BeardFans of Hornblower and Sharpe will love this captivating and compelling nautical adventure from much loved author G.S.Beard. Guaranteed to stir into life even the most sluggish of ...
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Rupert of Hentzau
Anthony HopeRudolf Rassendyll, having heroically saved the kingdom of Ruritania and nobly given up the hand of the beautiful Princess Flavia, has returned to his normal life in England. But wh...
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The Shores of Tripoli
James L. Haley“The history is thoroughly researched, the fiction inventive, the style at once easygoing and rapid. … This is a marvelous and richly enjoyable novel, and the intended series to fo...
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Payment Deferred
C. S. ForesterPayment Deferred is a crime novel by C.S. Forester. It tells about William Marble, a bank clerk living in south London with a wife, Annie, and two teenage children. William suffers...
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The Safeguard of the Sea
N A M RodgerThroughout Britain's history, one factor above all others has determined the fate of the nation: its navy. N. A. M. Rodger's definitive account reveals how the political and social...
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The History of Alexander
Quintus Curtius Rufus & John YardleyAlexander the Great (356323 BC), who led the Macedonian army to victory in Egypt, Syria, Persia and India, was perhaps the most successful conqueror the world has ever seen. Yet al...
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Captains Courageous
Rudyard KiplingHarvey Cheyne is the overindulged son of a millionaire. When he falls overboard from an ocean liner her is rescued by a Portuguese fisherman and, initially against his will, joins ...
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In the Shadow of Papillon
Frank Kane & John TilsleyFollowing the collapse of his business and the loss of his home, Frank Kane made a catastrophic decision. In desperation, he agreed to smuggle cocaine out of Venezuela. Almost inev...
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Sawmill Road
Patrick J. O'BrianWhen Terry Levine is called to investigate a triple homicide five hours away from home, he knows the case won't be routine. A veteran investigator with the New York State Police, L...
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Pillar of Ash
H. M. LongYske, a healer and daughter of the warrior priestess Hessa, holds the balance of power in a worldshattering war of the gods, in this thrilling, mythical and emotional epic fantasy ...
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Sailing the Graveyard Sea
Richard SnowA riveting account of the only mutiny in the history of the United States Navya littleknown event that cost three innocent young men their livespart murder mystery, part courtroom ...
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The Basilisk Throne
Greg KeyesMaster and Commander meets A Game of Thrones and Pirates of the Carribean. Rapidpaced high fantasy with allout combat on the high seas, and a canny young woman who faces the hidden...
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Man Of War
Allan MallinsonPerfect for fans of Patrick O'Brian, Bernard Cornwell and CS Forester, another engrossing Matthew Hervey adventure from the pen of THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR Allan Mallins...
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Temple of No God
H.M. LongEpic fantasy followup to HALL OF SMOKE, featuring crumbling empires, secretive cults and godlike powers to be claimed, for readers of Margaret Owen, Brian Staveley, V. E. Schwab an...
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John Quentin - Im Auftrag des Admirals
Erwin Resch & Rainer DelfsVerrat, Intrigen und wahre Helden der Beginn einer neuen großen Seefahrersaga. Im Jahr 1799: Für John Quentin beginnt ein abenteuerliches Leben, als er den Dienst bei der britisch...
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La fragata Surprise
Patrick O'BrianDecidido a disfrutar de una vida desahogada junto a su amada Sophie, el capitán Jack Aubrey deja su puesto en la Armada para instalarse cómodamente en Inglaterra. La fortuna, sin e...
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Lieutenant Fury
G.S. BeardIf you like Hornblower and Sharpe, you will love this allaction nautical pageturner from much loved author G.S.Beard. You'll feel as if you are in the midst of the action!'If you l...
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Modern Classic Short Novels Of Science Fiction
Gardner DozoisThe novella is, in the words of Gardner Dozois, "a perfect length for a science fiction story: long enough to enable you to flesh out the details of a strange alien world or a biza...
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Buzz Saw
Jesse DoughertyThe remarkable story of the 2019 World Series champion Washington Nationals told by the Washington Post writer who followed the team most closely.By May 2019, the Washington Nation...
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Auf zu neuen Horizonten
Frank AdamKapitän Sven Larsson setzt die Segel für sein letztes großes Abenteuer 1782. Amerika ist endlich unabhängig aber der Frieden bringt noch keine Waffenruhe: Die Besatzungen von Kape...
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Barrow of Winter
H. M. LongThrilling epic fantasy adventures set in the world of HALL OF SMOKE and TEMPLE OF NO GOD, featuring murderous conspiracies, howling icy wastelands and the Children of Winter, for r...
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Sailor of Liberty
J. D. DaviesThe call of the republic, the weight of destiny. A new legend takes to the seas.'A thrilling new adventure series that rivals the immortal Patrick O’Brian' Angus Donald1793. The in...
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The Annals of Imperial Rome
Tacitus & Michael GrantTacitus' Annals of Imperial Rome recount the major historical events from the years shortly before the death of Augustus up to the death of Nero in AD 68. With clarity and vivid in...
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Words of Command
Allan MallinsonOnce again, THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR Allan Mallinson captivates readers with an eminently readable piece of historical fiction. If you're a fan of Patrick O'Brian, Berna...
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An Act Of Courage
Allan MallinsonTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR Allan Mallinson brings us another compelling and deeply atmospheric adventure featuring Matthew Hervey. If you like Patrick O'Brian, Bernard Cor...
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The Adventures of Jack Lark
Paul Fraser CollardThe first three Victorian military adventures featuring hero Jack Lark, now available together in ebook. If you love Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series, Matthew Harffy and Patrick O'...
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Sin Killer
Patrick J. O'BrianA serial killer remains free in Buffalo, New York after a task force comprised of state and local authorities fails to apprehend him and the wrong man is imprisoned. No one is more...