Such a long journey, already! I've been pacing myself for a while with this series, afraid I would get fed up with the obscure nautical jargon used by Captain Aubrey or with the wealth of scientific observation provided by doctor Maturin. Yet the dominant note as I delve into the second half of this twenty book epic is the desire of never reaching the end, of sailing on towards the ever distant line of the horizon in the company of these two fictional people that have become intimate friends thr...

The journey continues and the friendship grows regardless of the setbacks that abound in The Reverse of the MedalAfter an epic voyage to the Pacific in The Far Side of the World, the HMS Surprise sails home, chasing a privateer, during which background information is relayed that will be useful later on. So, pay attention! Then "later on" comes quick-like and our hero Captain Jack Aubrey takes a sketchy tip and dives into the stock market on a "sure thing." Aubrey is lucky to have his good frien...

These novels are maddeningly, consistently, entertainingly four-star novels. Until now. O'Brian's writing is as incisive as ever, his well-developed sense of irony as sharp here as in any of the previous books. But from almost the first word through the incredibly thrilling conclusion, this entry is just a slightly more brilliantly plotted work than what has come before. There are more surprises and amazing turns of narrative here than in perhaps the last two or three combined--and that is reall...

This one is mainly of interest for O’Brian fans (like me). I wouldn’t recommend it to someone new to this series about British Naval activities in the Napoleanic Wars. This is because most of the novel’s action takes place on land. There is an exciting chase of Jack’s frigate in pursuit a privateer in the first part of the book, but we are deprived of a chance to see his special friend and ship’s surgeon, Stephen Maturin, engage in his naturalist avocation in exotic locales. Those who have alrea...

My history with this book serves as proof that I at least cannot do justice to a series if I don't begin at the beginning. When I first heard of the Aubrey/Maturin series, I took a look for it in the bookstore. This particular book was the only one available. I read the first few pages and had no idea what was going on or who anyone was, so I put it back.The next time I picked up this book was after I’d read the previous ones in the series. This time all of the background was there. The threads

"When virtue spooms before a prosperous galeMy heaving wishes help to fill the sail"- John Dryden, The Hind And The PantherThere is a fairly exciting cat and mouse chase in this book, but for the most part 'The Reverse of the Medal' involves another Captain Jack Aubrey financial mistake. In what I'll only describe as a mix between a classic economic espionage novel ala John le Carré and David Mamet's The Spanish Prisoner, Jack Aubrey loses about everything. At the same time, Dr. Maturin is tryin...

Wow, I must admit that I did not see that coming. Let me preamble this review by saying that there are certainly some ways in which a reader could feel that many of the books in the Aubrey-Maturin series are a bit ‘same-y’. There is often a particular pattern to O’Brian’s stories that is followed even when the specific details change: namely we often have an interlude on shore (in which Jack may or may not make some monumental blunder), followed (or preceded) by an extended naval cruise in which...

Another fun romp, but ... the ending! Or lack there of! Now I must buy the next.Words (that I looked up in a wonderful, dead-tree dictionary, which felt awesome)andiron (n): the metal stand that holds wood in a fire place (p. 189)chirurgical (adj): of or pertaining to surgery (from A Sea of Words) (p. 162)chouse (v): to dupe or swindle (from A Sea of Words) (p. 269)delf (n): glazed earthenware made in Delft (my dictionary lists it as "delft") (p. 189)myrmidion (n): a hired goon or lowly servant....

The most bromancey book of the series so far. Stephen's use of his huge wealth, solely for Jack's freedom and happiness and pride, brought tears to my eyes. My beautiful boys... *sniff*

A re-read: I'm slowly revisiting this series in audio book format during long drives.This is the one where Jack Aubrey, who is not always astute on land, is tricked into instigating stock fraud. His prosecution is based on the trial of Lord Cochrane during the Great Stock Exchange Fraud of 1814. The outcome of the trial (view spoiler)[is heartbreaking, with the very moving scene of Jack facing the pillory, but supported by a huge crowd of naval men (hide spoiler)].This book has the lovely scene

Reverse of the Medal is the 11th book in Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey & Maturin series, and having got this far it’s safe to say it’s one I’ve enjoyed. In fact, that would be rather understating it – at this point I have lost any objectivity I may have once had, and am a fully-fledged fangirl (especially when it comes to Maturin). Reverse of the Medal hasn’t knocked that status at all, and in fact gave me a little more than I’d have expected to stress over, with a turn of events I would never have p...

This is the eleventh in the Aubrey/Maturin series of novels, which stretches to twenty volumes completed in the author's lifetime and a 21st published posthumously having (I assume) been finished or at least tidied up by another. THIS REVIEW HAS BEEN CURTAILED IN PROTEST AT GOODREADS' CENSORSHIP POLICYSee the complete review here:http://arbieroo.booklikes.com/post/33...

Primarily of interest to those who know of Lord Cochrane's trial for stock fraud.

Oh Jack, such a simpleton...Never expected the book to bring me close to tears with the characters still alive but that scene was wonderfully written. Off hats to the author's skill.

The Reverse of the Medal features the first proper return of Patrick O’Brian’s historical novels to English shores in what seems like a long time. The internal chronology is difficult to establish, since it seems to have been 1812 for a very long time in this world; but it has been several books since Jack and Stephen were back in London, at any rate. On paper it’s notable for being, like The Mauritius Command, another example of the author casting some of his own characters in the place of actu...

One of my favourite books in the series, just because it absolutely shattered me in a way no book ever has.Warning: spoilers ahoy. Also slash. Shush.My LJ review:(Reverse of the Medal has the most evil introductory note, by the way. I read it and knew what was going to happen because I'd read the Wiki entry on Lord Cochrane ages ago. *Killick face* And then I almost cried. Nothing's even happened yet! Damn you and your spoilers, Patrick.)_____Well, okay, I started the first couple of pages of Ro...

A sea-faring adventure series puts on a wig to play dress up as a lawyer series, but there is precious little legal thriller in the offering.

Unusually for a Master and Commander novel, whilst reading ‘The Reverse of the Medal’ I was almost more diverted by the plot than the character interactions. Whilst the latter were, as ever, charming and delightful, it was a more plot-driven installment than usual. This may have been connected to being set largely on land, in England. Also, Aubrey and Maturin did not spend a large portion of the book in each other’s company, their conversations largely being with others. Nonetheless, the whole w...

Captain Jack Aubrey and his particular friend, Dr. Steven Maturin, return to England. Within days of his arrival, Jack's credulous nature (at least on land) and kind heart put him in the crosshairs of a political scandal. While he withstands imprisonment and trial, Steven tries to figure out the truth of the matter.Another beautifully written novel from O'Brian.

Though based on historic events and no less well-written than other episodes of the Aubery/Maturin saga, it's all getting a bit repetitive.Die-hards will enjoy it; others will wonder what the fuss is about.

I am in awe that O'Brian's stories of Jack and Stephen and the crew of The Surprise keep getting better and better. One unexpected event after another. This one takes place mostly on land, but what a shock and a cliff hanger of an ending.

My least favorite of the series so far. The ending is kind of cute and it leads nicely into the next book, but there is simply not enough action.

Great story of course as expected with an extremely bittersweet ending. I may not be able to wait long for the next one.

This is a wonderful book, filled with twists and turns and shrewd observations and chickens coming home to roost. We get a look at English justice (both naval and landlubber varieties) in perhaps their worst possible incarnations. Sophie shines in her tactful way of putting Jack at ease about a sensitive issue, providing face-saving reassurance. And some powerfully moving scenes, where people come through for those in need, in creative and practical ways.In today's reading, two passages jumped o...

The medieval wheel of fortune would be a fitting symbol for this book where characters’ fortunes turn from good to bad and vice versa. The story begins in Barbados where Captain Jack Aubrey must participate in a court martial of captured mutineers and Stephen Maturin operates on a physician who is at odds with his local colleagues. We meet Sam Panda who brings Jack a letter from home. The crew discusses whether Lucky Jack Aubrey’s luck has finally run out as the HMS Surprise heads for home and i...

not bad for a book set entirely on land ..

Not the best story in the series but by the end I was gripped, and as always the cliffhanger at the end makes me want to immediately start the next book.

I'm halfway through Aubrey/Maturin, and with this reading of Book 11 I am starting my push through to the end of the series. It feels like an easier prospect, due to the much shorter lengths of the books in the second half of the series. Friends who have progressed further than I have have suggested that later books are of less consequence than the earlier volumes--the story is choppier, and less of great significance happens. Someone also told me that some of the later books end in odd places--...

Surprisingly enjoyable, given that Aubrey being tricked into committing stock fraud is the central conceit of the story. I find Maturin unravelling a mystery ashore to be immensely enjoyable, driven mostly by O'Brian mastery of conversation, innuendo, and his surreptitiously burying important notes early on. These instances are nearly as good as Jack chasing down a quarry while finely manipulating his ship's canvas--which this story also has.

Absolutely flabbergasting that this book takes place entirely on shore and yet doesn't suck.