Cunning surgeon Stephen Maturin's espionage activities make him a target of revenge for French agent Lesueur while he tries to prevent sabotage to ...
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Jan 29, 2009
Ken-ichi
rated it: 
Yet another fine nautical gem, though clearly a piece with its successor, given the abruptly hewn finale, leaving me with the heavy burden of reading on. Heavens forefend! Also of note: no other books leave me laughing like an idiot in public places more than these. Reading Stephen effuse about his diving bell exploits floored me: "...but the annelids, my dear Graham, the annelids! Hundreds, nay thousands of annelids of at least six and thirty several kinds, some plumed and others plain
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Jan 22, 2012
Angela
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Some may say that listening to an audio book doesn't count as reading it--that you lose something in the process of imagining the action for yourself, and that there's an extra layer of interpretation between you and the author's words because someone else is reading them to you.
Me, I don't quibble about this much. As far as I'm concerned, a decent narrator can do a great deal to make a story come alive, and Patrick Tull did do a very fine job narrating the version of Treason's Harbo More...
Me, I don't quibble about this much. As far as I'm concerned, a decent narrator can do a great deal to make a story come alive, and Patrick Tull did do a very fine job narrating the version of Treason's Harbo More...
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Dec 16, 2009
Siria
rated it:
I'm really trying to pace myself when going through this series, because with every part of it I read, I am more and more conscious that I only have a finite number of books remaining to be read. I'm not even quite half way through the series, but I'm still trying to draw it out as much as I can, so that I will have more of this world to savour and explore.
Treason's Harbour is one of the quieter of O' Brian's works so far. The pace is slower, and it feels much more like a part of an More...
Treason's Harbour is one of the quieter of O' Brian's works so far. The pace is slower, and it feels much more like a part of an More...
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Apr 29, 2010
Chris
rated it:
Another great book in Patrick O'Brian's series around the characters Capt. Jack Aubrey and Dr. Stephen Maturin in the naval actions of the Napoleanic wars. The NY Times calls this series, "The best historical novels ever written." I haven't read a lot of historical novels so I can't compare, but these are awesome.
This book was a bit on the short side for the series, and it feels incomplete--more like a chapter in a longer story than a complete novel in itself. I listened More...
This book was a bit on the short side for the series, and it feels incomplete--more like a chapter in a longer story than a complete novel in itself. I listened More...
Jan 24, 2011
Craig
rated it: 
It really isn't possible to summarize just one of these books. By this point in the series the author has given up all intent of making these independent stories, and this series is completely serial.
So, instead of discussing the story of this book, which by itself never really came to a climax, I will talk about one of my favorite aspects of this whole series:
Patrick O'Brian has a talented ability to not "force" an against all-odds scenario. He has the ability to More...
So, instead of discussing the story of this book, which by itself never really came to a climax, I will talk about one of my favorite aspects of this whole series:
Patrick O'Brian has a talented ability to not "force" an against all-odds scenario. He has the ability to More...
Aug 31, 2011
Nelson
rated it:
Earlier entries in the series stood alone fairly well. By this point, O'Brian seems to have in mind a larger conception of his narrative arc. While one could read this book on its own, it clearly carries on threads of the story from the previous volume and leaves several key issues unresolved for the next. It is as if he knows his characters and readership so well that he is no longer working from novel to novel, but merely breaking a longer story up into novel-sized units. The odious Wray,
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Apr 29, 2011
Larry
rated it:
It’s almost if the author, Patrick O’Brian, knew that his prior book wasn’t his best. If fact, he gave much more details in this book of the last book’s final battle!
The supporting characters are starting to reoccur and are even more developed and the espionage storyline in the book is as good as any of today’s thrillers. Also, the book adds perspective on the British naval capabilities of over-land assaults – this one in the Suez and on to the Red Sea.
If you read the p More...
The supporting characters are starting to reoccur and are even more developed and the espionage storyline in the book is as good as any of today’s thrillers. Also, the book adds perspective on the British naval capabilities of over-land assaults – this one in the Suez and on to the Red Sea.
If you read the p More...
Aug 11, 2011
Erik
rated it:
Great return to form after the doldrums of The Ionian Mission. Two bits that I love: "the city of Valetta was as cheerful as though it were fortunate in love or as though it had suddenly heard good news." And Captain Aubrey looking through the stern-window: "This was a sight that never failed to move him: the noble curve of shining panes, wholly unlike any landborne window, and then the sea in some one of its infinity of aspects; and the whole in silence, entirely to himself. If h
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Feb 01, 2010
Winifred
rated it:
This is the first book I've read in Patrick O'Brien's series about Jack Aubrey. I found it very hard going due to the naval terms and other expressions I didn't understand. This book is the ninth and maybe I should have started with the first.
I did like the characters, their lovely sense of humour and the plot was very good too.
There was an illustration of a square rig ship with sails named which was helpful. What would be useful is a glossary of naval terms which would More...
I did like the characters, their lovely sense of humour and the plot was very good too.
There was an illustration of a square rig ship with sails named which was helpful. What would be useful is a glossary of naval terms which would More...
Oct 22, 2010
Stan
rated it:
An especially good episode in this series. Much of the story centers around Maturin: a tense chessmatch of intrigue, espionage, disinformation. But also an "out of their element" desert march for Aubrey and his crew, and some breathless seagoing confrontations. And as always, O'Brian's wonderful writing. I particularly liked his description of being at one of life's turning points: "... he had a strong sense of his life being upon the turn, between two seasons, as it were, with th
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Apr 23, 2010
Christopher
rated it:
A truly superb 'chapter' in the Aubrey-Maturin canon! Loaded with adventure, intrigue, and humor. The book opens with Surprise and its crew in Malta, with Surprise being repaired after her battle with the Torgud and Kitabi (see book no. 8, The Ionian Mission). The French intelligence network is strong in Malta, and Stephen Maturin is tested to his limits to endeavor to thwart it.
The scene then shifts from Malta in the Mediterranean Sea to a slog across the Sinai Desert to the Gu More...
The scene then shifts from Malta in the Mediterranean Sea to a slog across the Sinai Desert to the Gu More...
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Jun 06, 2009
EJD
rated it:
Repeated from review of Book 1
That Patrick O'Brian chose to place his characters on the sea in the not so distant past just raised the hurdle I had to leap to get to know this wonderful author.
I had never been enamored with sea stories, didn't much care for European history, and yet was wonderfully taken with this series. The sea is a major character, but history is not greatly illuminated, almost a backdrop to the specific circumstance the characters find themselves in. More...
That Patrick O'Brian chose to place his characters on the sea in the not so distant past just raised the hurdle I had to leap to get to know this wonderful author.
I had never been enamored with sea stories, didn't much care for European history, and yet was wonderfully taken with this series. The sea is a major character, but history is not greatly illuminated, almost a backdrop to the specific circumstance the characters find themselves in. More...
Feb 07, 2008
Debbie
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 09, 2009
Bob
rated it:
2009 # 72
Patrick O'Brian - Treason's Harbour - Finished - 5/25/2009
Wherein Aubrey and Maturin set sail to the south shore of the Mediterranean, cross the desert by Camel and horse to again sail in search of a galley laden with Dinars. Maturin discovers a French agent and feeds him false information. Plus several more voyages and battles. Good tales of the British Navy under sail.
ISBN - 0-393-03709-6, Fiction, Pages - 334, Print Size - R, Rating - 2
Patrick O'Brian - Treason's Harbour - Finished - 5/25/2009
Wherein Aubrey and Maturin set sail to the south shore of the Mediterranean, cross the desert by Camel and horse to again sail in search of a galley laden with Dinars. Maturin discovers a French agent and feeds him false information. Plus several more voyages and battles. Good tales of the British Navy under sail.
ISBN - 0-393-03709-6, Fiction, Pages - 334, Print Size - R, Rating - 2
Nov 07, 2011
JoTownhead
rated it:
Captain Jack Aubrey's well-developed seamanship skills and judgement continue to protect and support the sensitive espionage activity of ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin. In turn Stephen protects and supports Jack's interests behind the scenes. Their journeys take them into political waters and they encounter many faces from the past - both friend and foe. Layers of intrigue.
Sep 25, 2009
Julia
rated it:
Oh, Stephen Maturin, you had me at "underwater diving bell".
This is book nine in O'Brian's naval adventure series about British captain Jack Aubrey and his friend/surgeon/spy Stephen Maturin set during the Napoleonic wars, and it is wonderful. This installment was a quicker read than usual for me, for whatever reason, but just as enjoyable as I have come to expect. There is lots of on-shore spying and intrigue in this one (hooray!) as Maturin deals with French spies in Ma More...
This is book nine in O'Brian's naval adventure series about British captain Jack Aubrey and his friend/surgeon/spy Stephen Maturin set during the Napoleonic wars, and it is wonderful. This installment was a quicker read than usual for me, for whatever reason, but just as enjoyable as I have come to expect. There is lots of on-shore spying and intrigue in this one (hooray!) as Maturin deals with French spies in Ma More...
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Aug 03, 2011
This focused a bit more on Maturin and the intelligence end of things, but the intrigue was superb, leaving me desperate for the next entry. I can't say that I didn't feel a bit of a twinge of sadness at Admiral Harte's fate, despite his ineptitude. But I will feel no such pang should something ugly eventually befall Andrew Wray.
Feb 09, 2011
Tagg
rated it:
One of O'Brian's best so far. I really loved the telling of this story, and the fact that he left it as a cliff hanger for book 10 to pick up on rather than wrapping it up neatly as he usually does. Jack and Stephen are two of my favorite characters in literature, possessing admirable qualities mixed with human weakness.
Mar 06, 2010
Bill
rated it:
Please note, this 5 star rating is based on my long ago memories of this book - I may have read it greater than 12 years ago. I recall reading and really liking it, and even kept the book to read again in the future (something I only do with good, or otherwise significant books). The memories of an old man are sometimes faulty so this could really only warrant 3.5 to 4.5 stars, instead of the 5 I gave it. Once I re-read the book I will update this rating/review to more accurately reflect my thou
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Aug 20, 2011
Ruth
rated it:
I love this series. I never thought I'd be on tenterhooks reading about naval battles, but Jack and Stephen are so likeable, and O'Brian writes so well that these books are accessible to anyone.
Jun 19, 2010
benebean
rated it:
it still irritates me when the author decides to describe animals mating...
ugh... it ended without resolution! booo!
and 3.5-- it lost half a star 'cause I'm mad that the author didn't tie up everything at the end.
ugh... it ended without resolution! booo!
and 3.5-- it lost half a star 'cause I'm mad that the author didn't tie up everything at the end.
Mar 24, 2010
Jocelyn
rated it:
Oh, no! A double agent keeps betraying Jack's position to the French, but Stephen can't figure out who it is! He is still clueless at the end of the book! Wake up, Stephen! It is so obvious!!
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Aug 04, 2011
Hazel
rated it:
A great historical fiction novel. The characters develop throughout the novel and the whole series. Each book reads well on its own, but is even better as part of the whole.
Feb 09, 2010
Aneel
rated it:
This felt like half of a book. One of the major plotlines doesn't resolve at all. I'm sure it's covered in the next book of the series, but I was annoyed.
Jul 28, 2011
Brackman1066
rated it:
I didn't laugh out loud quite as much with this book, although it was still excellent. Now, on to Far Side of the World!
Jun 11, 2011
Diana
rated it:
Still fine. Still an inimitable mixture of light humour, intellectual stretch, rich character and suspenseful story.
Apr 09, 2010
Rob
rated it:
Another great book in the series. Not one of the absolute best, but definitely a fun read. Love the diving bell!
Apr 20, 2010
Chris
rated it:
Another solid outing from the tales of Aubrey and Maturin. It looks like there will be less of an effort to contain storylines within one book, instead focusing more on longer, multi-book arcs. Still, the story is good and the pace is brisk. Can't wait for book ten!
Jul 30, 2011
Brilliant and funny, as all of Patrick O'Brian's books i've read so far.
Sep 12, 2011
Ferox
rated it:
Book group book, at one chapter per week. Which makes it pretty much impossible for me to keep track of the plot. But just to recap: Jack rescues a dog, who then adores him, so much so that Jack is suspected of an affair with the dog's owner. Stephen, meanwhile, pretends to have an affair with the same lady for spy-hatty reasons. Sharks eat a colleague, Jack watches tortoises mating, and Stephen collects chestsful of specimens (but no gold) with his diving bell. It's all fun. There might have be
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