The Mauritius Command (1977)

I learned that a Commodore is a post, not a position like Captain; so when the activity is completed, one goes back to being a captain. Also how frustrating it can be to prepare carefully for a battle, only to have it never happen because of behind-the-scenes negotiations. There is enough in the book that isn't about the technical terms of sailing to make it interesting to someone like me.

A quote I liked:
... The clock also came from Mapes, the most accurate clock in the county.
'A handsome clock it is too,' said Stephen. 'A regulator, I believe. Could it not be set a-going?'
'Oh, no sir,' said Mrs Williams with a pitying look. 'Was it set a-going, the works would instantly start to wear.' [p. 26] ( )

Plenty of reviews on this, so my summation for my future memory loss is: A good read, interesting sea adventure, a bit disappointing at the end and left me empty.

I wonder if my reaction to this one is because the author was staying as close as possible to the facts of an actual naval battle which took place in Mauritius? Therefore his characters had to conform somewhat to the facts instead of being the heroic figures I wanted them to be? Anyway, it was still a very interesting read. ( )

Enjoyable but one of the battle scenes is quite disturbing in the detail it provides about injuries.

Unabridged audiobook read by Ric Jerrom:
Jerrom is a skilled reader and helps to bring the story to life.

Note that there are separate audiobooks read by Patrick Tull. I recommend Ric Jerrom over Patrick Tull as a reader.

Simon Vance is another reader option but I haven't heard his version.

Me gustó, será que todavía los personajes tienen frescura frente a otras series de marineros, al estar recién empezando. la trama simple pero bien resuelta para acoplarse a la verdad histórica. Los franceses están complicando el comercio marítimo inglés entre India y la metropolí y ahí lo mandan al Cap Aubrey a tomar las islas, entre ellas Mauricio que sirven de base a la flota Francesa, idas vueltas combates marinos, la descripción de la vida a bordo, algún pequeño error en la trama, pero el resultado es bueno ( )

IV° libro ( )