Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey--Maturin tales are widely hailed as the greatest series of historical novels ever written. Reinstated to the Navy List, Jack Aubrey engages on a secret mission with a hand-picked crew in this continuation of the Aubrey-Maturin series For all Jack Aubrey's life he has triumphed, often sensationally, over the dangers of the sea and the violence of the enemy. But his rashness, his guilelessness, his indiscretion have time and time again enabled his rivals to prevent him reaping his just rewards. The ...
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Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey--Maturin tales are widely hailed as the greatest series of historical novels ever written. Reinstated to the Navy List, Jack Aubrey engages on a secret mission with a hand-picked crew in this continuation of the Aubrey-Maturin series For all Jack Aubrey's life he has triumphed, often sensationally, over the dangers of the sea and the violence of the enemy. But his rashness, his guilelessness, his indiscretion have time and time again enabled his rivals to prevent him reaping his just rewards. The nadir was reached in 'The Reverse of the Medal' when, the victim of a skilful frame-up, he was convicted of fraud and struck off the Navy list just as he was coming within sight of flag rank. The subsequent exposure of the conspiracy, coupled with his brilliant success in command of a privateer, had brought him to a position where Their Lordships were more or less bound to reinstate him. This, as the present book opens, they have done, and he and his old friend Dr Maturin are sailing on a secret mission with a hand-picked crew, most of them shipmates from the adventures and lucrative voyages of earlier years.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. Size: 8x5x1; Hardcover. Collectible First Edition! 1989. Very Good / Very Good dust jacket wrapped in mylar. Free of any markings and no writings inside.
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Seller's Description:
Fine in Fine jacket. First Impression (no additional printings noted), in the first issue dust jacket with "Thirteen Gun" unhyphenated. Tall 8vo: 319, [1]pp. Publisher's French blue cloth, spine stamped in gilt (still brilliant); pictorial jacket illustrated by Geoff Hunt and priced £11.95. Very Fine and unread. Cunningham A22a. Thirteenth installment in the Aubrey-Maturin series of historical novels-20 completed and one left unfinished-set during the Napoleonic Wars and featuring naval commander Jack Aubrey and ship's surgeon (and secret agent) Stephen Maturin. This episode opens with Aubrey and Maturin preparing for a diplomatic mission to the Sultan of Pulo Prabang, a fictitious, piratical Malay state in the South China Sea, to convey the envoy who will attempt to persuade the Sultan to become an English rather than French ally. Much of the action centers on the indiscretions of two English traitors-Wray and Ledward-who are assisting the French and for which they are ultimately assassinated. The title refers to the honor, a thirteen-gun salute, due the English envoy as a representative of the King. Note: With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, with dust jackets carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed.