Master and Commander
#857 of 2,654 all-time
Master and Commander
Patrick O'Brian
8 people recommended it in 5 threads, 2007–2022.
What people on Hacker News said
While the Master and Commander Series are historical fictions they teach you A LOT about the Napoleonic Wars, The British Empire and the British Navy.
The entire Aubrey-Maturin series starting with Master and Commander. Exquisite writing, funny, interesting, deep characters and chock full of interesting philosophy and life observations.
For me it's not about the sea battles -which I don't find particularly interesting- but rather about the writing style, the character development, and the fun of ambling through life with Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin.
Besides extraordinary historical detail, his characters show a deep understanding of the human personality (at least to a socially inept geek).
This series was the only thing I could read (just barely) while mired in a 1.75-year-long depression in 2014-15.
Where it comes up
- What books would you recommend reading? Why? 2007 · 3 recommendations
- Ask HN: Recommend one book I need to read this summer? 2019 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Which books you have read till now that were worth investing time in? 2022 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you plan to read in 2020? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What was the latest book you read? 2009 · 1 recommendation