The Thirteen-Gun Salute: Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 13

POB has a tendency to send Aubrey on long voyages and repeats himself a lot in this one. But once to Indonesian islands, Dr. Maturin's espionage really takes over in this one. The visit to a temple in the jungle on the slopes of a volcano caldera really make this one stand out, along with a major payoff the readers have been waiting for across several of the novels in the series.

Another story limited in calendar length with a lot of color for the reader. I think it's a good story, although parts are familiar to the readers of all of the previous books. To be sure, O'Brian inserts new twists and certainly leaves the reader with a spectacular cliff hanger at the end. As usual, the characters and the action are worth reading. I learned more about the Malaysian geopolitical situation of the era. There is little that happens at sea and there are long passages of the at sea portion of the book that, in reality, are meaningless and seem designed to lengthen the overall story. The treachery that occurs on land is worthy of any spy novel of any era. Overall, I'm glad I read it. I really like the characters, the plots and the storytelling devised by Patrick O'Brian in this series. I like it so much I'm reading the entire series for the second time. I recommend it.

Awesome series of books if you are interested in sailing and sailing warfare. Entertaining.

A rollicking, great adventure continues on the high seas. Typhoons, pirates and desert castaways on an island…Give way there! Oh Christ…Give way!!!

Every Patrick O'Brien novel - especially all of the Aubrey Maturin series - should be required reading for anyone who loves a great story with compelling characters, adventure, suspense and just the slightest touch of romance. Add to that that they are steeped in actual history - based on the logbooks of the RN captains who sailed in the era about which he writes - these are history lessons in the most entertaining form imaginable. Highest recommendation i could possibly give.

I think this series is one , if not, THE best that I have read. The books offer insights into history and particularly interesting details into the British Navy, how the politics worked, the mores, the physical details, and many, many similar things. I never thought I would get so hooked on something like this series. Read it, and please start from the first book, though they can be read individually and stand on their own. Reading them serially, though, adds insight. I am so sorry that I am coming to the end. Shame on O'Brian for not living forever and turning out these books as fast as I have time to read them.

Until introduced to Patrick O'Brian some eight years ago, I had assumed (incorrectly) that the Hornblower series by C. S. Forester was the top-of-the-line for naval conflicts, at least in the Napoleonic era. Fortunately, I was tipped to O'Brian and have now, thanks to Amazon and the Kindle editions, been able to read all the Aubrey/Maturin Novels. I could niggle, and say that in the later works there is too much exposition of previous adventures, but that may be necessary for those who read the books one at a time in standalone fashion. However, they are still the best of the lot.

I think there are 21 or 22 volumes. I had them all at one time or another but with a chaotic period in my life and multiple moves, many of the volumes were lost and I could not restart or resume the series. I now have the entire series on my kindle and they haven't been misplaced since. I f you liked Horatio Hornblower, you'll like these books.

Read this book in 2009, and its the 13th wonderful volume of the amazing "Aubrey/ Maturin" series.In this tale, with Captain Jack Aubrey reinstated within the Royal Navy after his heroics exploits as an privateer, is now setting sail for the South China Sea.On this trip he will get his friend, ship's Surgeon and spy for the government, Stephen Maturin, on a diplomatic mission to the Malay princes, with the intention to prevent the Malay and the French linking together.In this seafaring tale Aubrey and his crew will have their actions against weather, water and land, while Maturin has his adventures also on land with the Thousands Steps, while at the court of Pulo Prabang a classic duel will unfold between intelligence agents.This intelligence duel between the cunning Stephen Maturin and the French envoys will be fought out to the death for the Sultan's good graces, while Aubrey and his crew will do anything to assist Maturin in his endeavours.What is to follow is an intriguing seafaring tale, in which Aubrey and Maturin will excel again with their actions and results, and all this is brought to us by the author in his own authentic and majestic fashion.Highly recommended, for this is another marvellous addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "An Excellent Thirteen-Gun Salute"!

I have heard the comment that the Patrick O'Brian 'Master & Commander' books get 'samey' about half way through. I have not found that at all, yes of course we are following the adventures of the same two main characters, but each title focusses on a different aspect of the lives of the seafaring duo!These books have also opened up the nautical history genre to me and I find I'm enjoying other titles, for instance Joshua Slocum's biography of the first solo circumnavigation which was around the same era.Meanwhile I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

Once Patrick O'Brian's 20 books of the Aubrey/Maturin saga were offered in digital format, I bought the Kindle. Anyone who has not read this author is in for a treat, but I beg you start with Book 1 Master and Commander. Even if you have seen the film you will find the book much, much better, not that I wish to belittle Russell Crowe and Paul Bethany whom I think were superb in the roles of Aubrey and Maturin. Book 14 The Nutmeg of Consolation, is a continuation of Book 13. Patrick O'Brian's meticulous attention to detail is second to none and the finest novelist of the sea-faring narrative you will ever read. Once you are smitten you will look for books on their sea voyage routes, places visited, customs, costumes, food recipes and other ships of Nelson's Navy.

I have been reading this whole series out loud to my wife, and each one we enjoy immensely. This book has a great mix of action, travel, subtle characters and historical information. Another world.

Another good story,but frustrating with all this series when the last 5% is credits and blurb