Help! British Sea Captain; Can't Recall the Title

[MickeyC]

I read a series of books about an English sea captain that took place in the late 1700's (I think). He was a person of noble birth and was a very successful ship's master.

I recall that, in one book, he disguised himself as a bear as he and the ship's surgeon sneaked through Spain.

If you know who I'm referring to, please advise

Thanks

[Jim Lester]

Originally Posted by cassidym

I read a series of books about an English sea captain that took place in the late 1700's (I think). He was a person of noble birth and was a very successful ship's master.

I recall that, in one book, he disguised himself as a bear as he and the ship's surgeon sneaked through Spain.

If you know who I'm referring to, please advise

Thanks

The ship's surgeon part makes me thing of the Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian. Of which "Master and Commander" is the first. I don't recall Jack Aubrey being of noble birth however.

Is that it?

[MickeyC]

Hmmm, I think that could be it. Thanks

[wayspooled]

Yes, Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series. Jack Aubrey's father wasn't a nobleman, he was a member of Parliament. In the 2nd book, Post Captain, he and Maturin sneaked across France into Spain with Jack in a bear skin.

Not ebook'd.. And these are my #1 fav read of any book series.

NY Times - Richard Snow

Washington Post - Kenneth Ringle

NY Times - David Mamet

Washington Post - George Will

[Jim Lester]

Originally Posted by wayspooled

Yes, Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series. Jack Aubrey's father wasn't a nobleman, he was a member of Parlament. In the 2nd book, Post Captain, he and Maturin sneaked across France into Spain with Jack in a bear skin.

Thanks it's been a while since I've read through the series.

Not ebook'd.. And these are my #1 fav read of any book series.

If you like the Aubrey series you may also like the Bolitho series by Alexander Kent. This is avaiable in e form, from Amazon (I didn't see it on Fictionwise, though).

[wayspooled]

Originally Posted by Jim Lester

If you like the Aubrey series you may also like the Bolitho series by Alexander Kent. This is avaiable in e form, from Amazon (I didn't see it on Fictionwise, though).

Thanks Got 'em, read 'em all (in paper long ago, several times), excellent read.

Napoleonic Age sea novels, I rank them O'Brian, (Alexander) Kent, Forester, Marryat, (Dudley) Pope. Bunch of newer writers too but I haven't read them all.

[Jim Lester]

Okay then I'll try slight genre bending and thread hijacking at the same time, to see if I can get a new one for you

Have you tried the Two-Space war series by David Grossman?
Available from Baen

[wayspooled]

Originally Posted by Jim Lester

Okay then I'll try slight genre bending and thread hijacking at the same time, to see if I can get a new one for you

Have you tried the Two-Space war series by David Grossman?
Available from Baen

I have not. But for a fellow O'Brian appreciator, I will <grins>
Thank you, heh...

[bill_mchale]

Originally Posted by Jim Lester

Okay then I'll try slight genre bending and thread hijacking at the same time, to see if I can get a new one for you

Have you tried the Two-Space war series by David Grossman?
Available from Baen

Ick... Sorry, I haven't read the book -- it might be a ripping good yarn -- but the description of it makes it seem a little too far fetched for me.

That being said, if one does want some good science fiction that was inspired by Forrester or O'Brian, Baen publishes the Honor Harrington Series by David Weber and the Republic of Cinnabar Navy Series by David Drake. The best part is that both series are available legally and free of charge at the fifth imperium website (I would recommend at least buying a few of them though... Baen and the authors do deserve to be rewarded for these boks).

--
Bill

[BlueMonkey]

Reading your question I had to think of the Horatio Hornblower series by C.S. Forester: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatio_Hornblower

There are 13 books...I just read parts of one book for a literature essay so I don't really know if he dresses up as a bear ans sneaks through spain ;-) Sounds like funny plot though - and Hornblower at some points is kind of a anti-heroe; e.g. he is tonedeaf and at some point he confuses the french and britain national anthems or something like that :-)

[bill_mchale]

Originally Posted by BlueMonkey

Reading your question I had to think of the Horatio Hornblower series by C.S. Forester: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatio_Hornblower

There are 13 books...I just read parts of one book for a literature essay so I don't really know if he dresses up as a bear ans sneaks through spain ;-) Sounds like funny plot though - and Hornblower at some points is kind of a anti-heroe; e.g. he is tonedeaf and at some point he confuses the french and britain national anthems or something like that :-)

I am not sure I would ever have applied the concept of anti-hero to Hornblower. His word is his bond, he is merciful and his actions are almost always for the good of England and hardly ever for his own direct benefit. Shoot, he even gets married because he can't bear to tell a woman he doesn't really love her.

Heros can have flaws. What makes them an anti-hero is when their motives are seriously flawed or their actions step considerably outside the realm of what would be acceptable (at least inside the genre).

--
Bill