I have resumed reading the Patrick O'Brian Naval stories of the Aubrey-Maturin series. I am on novel 15 at the moment. It is called Clarissa Oakes in the UK. It is known as The Truelove in the USA. Many of the stories are set during the Napoleonic war, but a huge section of the this Aubrey-Maturin series takes place during the US/British and Canadian War of 1812 to 1814.
The stories unfold as a continuing saga. A little like Poldark at sea, The dialogue, of which there is a superb and rich amount, makes the reader feel they are there in the time of early 19th-century sail. The descriptions of ship, sea and tide are very compelling. The two main characters of Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin show us everything we need to know as these dynamic stories sail on.
At sea, Jack Aubrey is a man of great substance. He has a knack of telling how a ship is upon sight. He can tell if the crew are seasoned by the way the enemy or a friend goes about the rigging. He can note an experienced group of seamen who have not worked together before. He notices every little blemish of vessel or crew. He is a Royal Navy officer who knows his trade.
Stephen Maturin is Aubrey's physician and is also a British government secret agent. He knows nothing of seamanship but is excellent friends with Jack Aubrey because of their shared interests in music. As a physician, he also makes for a competent ship's surgeon.
By contrast, Aubrey is a complete duck out of the water upon land. A bit of an idiot who seems to get himself into all sorts of financial problems when back home. Here, his trusted friend Stephen Maturin often comes to the rescue.
These Aubrey-Maturin naval tales are a complete delight. I think there are about twenty stories in the saga. Therefore, after this serious is finished, I'm thinking of the Alexander Kent, Richard Bolitho stories. What does anyone else think? I would like to hear from any person who enjoys a good naval yarn. 
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