Thanks for taking me around the series again

Ian & Mike - You have done a great job of taking us through the amazing naval writings of POB. I have read and listened to all of the books, and have really enjoyed revisiting them through your podcast (does that make it 3 circumnavigations?). Well done sirs. I raise a toast to you both!

I started reading the books for the second time and getting much more out of it when I found your podcast. I love to read a few chapters then listen to you guys talk about it, where I get even more from it. Thanks for your time, dedication enthusiasm and knowledge! I Will miss this when I reach the end!

You guys brought so much insight into details of the cannon that would have gone right over my head. Please keep going. At the end of the series I hope you guys just start again and go even more in depth!

I just binged the entire podcast to date over the last couple of weeks. I love how engaged the hosts are with the nuances of character and story in the Patrick O’Brian books. They do a great job of teasing out the references and Easter eggs, and it’s only enhanced my enjoyment of these fine novels. They’re interviewees are always amazing and the focus on the female characters and female fans are on point. Diana Villiers is a personal favorite and they give her character the amount of attention she deserves. Three cheers from the gun deck for this prodigious great podcast.

Lovely lively discussions of the books, the stories and the language of the Aubreyad. Worthwhile listening both for the new and the dedicated fans of the books, on its own or as a reading companion.

Love the books, this pod was a a wonderful companion. The hosts are knowledgeable and charismatic.

I look forward to it every week. This podcast would be really helpful for a first reading when you’re just meeting the characters or if you already feel familiar with the books, Mike and Ian will enrich your next circumnavigation.

Started reading Master and Commander after watching the film again during quarantine. I am so incredibly excited to listen to more of this show picked apart by actual fans like myself!!

This podcast gets me through the times I have to wait for the next audiobook in the series available through my library. It also helps enhance my appreciation of the series that makes me feel like I’m part of a community.

Thanks Ian and Mike, I discovered your podcast as I started my third circumnavigation this year (2023)I read through the canon every ten years and it is such a pleasure to have your companionship and insights along the way! I’m a little behind but hope to catch up to you in real time before you finish!

Having read all the books of the series at least four times in the last 25 years, this podcast has been truly fascinating and helped me to remember the details of each gem of a book. It’s like listening to two old friends talking about a book you love. Try them out! Glenn from Tokyo

Charming banter about the best series of books ever printed.

I’ve been a die-hard fan of the Aubrey/Maturin series for many years. And podcasts are my frequent company on long walks or rambles through the woods. I discovered this one and it’s my new favorite. The attention to detail, the obvious love these two have for the series, and the glow of civility they provide just warms my heart. It’s a true pleasure to listen and I always love each episode.

Ian and Mike are passionate, caring fans of the series. They “do their level best” to deliver a through read through of each book (sometimes by the chapter). The two of them will discuss the plot(s), characters, settings, language, and whatever makes each book special. These guys have an honest and earnest love for the works of Patrick O’Brian. They demonstrate this by explaining the depth that O’Brian goes with his descriptions of anatomy, sailing, food and drink, language, relationships, and humor. Within a few moments of playing an episode, the listener will know that their journey reading the books along with Ian and Mike is in safe hands.

I have nearly completed the books in this series and I absolutely love them all. This podcast is a fantastic companion or review of the series.

As a fan of both the canon and the movie, I really do appreciate Mike and Ian going into a deep dive to uncover O’Brian’s hidden gems and jokes. From the music, actual history, deep themes of marriage and children, the best written friendship in literature, these two really try to bring it all to the surface. If you are looking for an entertaining show, or perhaps you are an avid reader of the canon, give this show a try. It’s fun, informative, entertaining, and it’s certainly saved me from mindless hours of window washing. It is certainly a highlight of my week. Thank you Mike and Ian! A glass with you!

Thanks for this gentlemen! Enjoyable discussion of a wonderful series. Only listens to M&C thus far but loved it. So I’ve read the series several times. Finished the last time 10 years ago, contemplating another read. This will be a great companion!

Feels like listening to two of my friends having a blast talking about a fantastic novel series. I wish there were more high quality bibliophile podcasts out there like this one.

Essentially listening for an Aubrey-Maturin fan.

I was promoted to write this review by the Miley Cyrus joke in episode 44. I didn’t expect an Aubrey-Maturin podcast to have me in stitches but here we are. Great guests, great back and forth between Mike and Ian. -from a millennial fan.

Mike and Ian do a fantastic job delving into the details that are easily missed when reading Patrick O’Brien. I love hearing them explore so many of the different aspects of the books. Awesome job!

I am reading these O’Brian books and get caught up in the excellent historical accuracy. You can feel the wind and the excitement of old-time sailing and battles on the high seas. But this podcast takes these adventures to a new level with the hosts delving deep into the characters and making me think more about the way O’Brian writes and the way people lived back then. The guests on the show are very insightful. Take your time. Read the books. And listen to the podcasts.

...of your podcast. Great job and thank you for the extra pleasure you give us through your discussions.

I hope all O’Brian fans will discover this wonderful podcast. The Lubber’s Hole is an excellent companion to the Aubrey-Maturin novels, and the hosts do a fabulous job of discussing the nuanced characters and themes. Just hearing the great intro music puts a smile on my face. In these challenging times, the warmth, wit and humanity of O’Brian’s writing has meant the world to me. It has been a particular delight to relive each novel with Mike and Ian. Thank you for embarking on this project and I wish you Godspeed. I will be onboard for the whole circumnavigation!

I never write reviews but wanted to say how much I appreciate this podcast!

I am so glad you are doing this podcast! I’m only just finishing book 2 and adding to the fact that I’m a slow reader, I am also the kind of person that will stop and look up any thing I don’t understand so I won’t be able to listen to them all for a long long time for fear of spoilers. Keep up the great work!

Always interesting to hear someone else’s commentary on a story one knows well.

Was I glad to find this podcast. Only recently came to the series and have been tearing through them far too fast, so this is a wonderful way to revisit the earlier books. After only a few episodes it is clear the podcasters have a great love and knowledge of the material and an excellent conversational tone that suits it perfectly.

I was so happy to find a podcast on the Aubrey-Maturin books. I have read the series three times and now I am introducing it to my wife through the audio books. We both enjoyed the first episode of this podcast and thought the hosts were well-prepared, knowledgeable and had a love for the books as well. We are looking forward to listening to them all. Hopefully, after the hosts finish their broad review of the 20 books, they will go back to the beginning and record more episodes where they spend an entire podcast on each book chapter since each one is filled with so much story.

Maybe you want a little commentary to go along with you re-read of the series. Maybe you just enjoy listening to two gracious and engaging hosts speak knowledgeably about Patrick O’Brian’s wonderful series. Maybe you just can’t get enough of the books, the characters, the era, the action or the humor. Either way, this delightful podcast will not disappoint you.

This podcast is a real treat, and one that is sorely needed in these trying (corona-filled) times. I’m not sure who our two hosts are but they go together like Aubrey and Maturin themselves. Natural and funny, sincere and intelligent, you can feel the love that these two have for the books in the first few moments of each podcast. Can’t recommend it enough to anyone who has read these books. To our gracious hosts: If you know more about the historical underpinnings of each of the books (especially in regards to the the world against Napoleon) let us know! I’d also love to hear your impressions and knowledge of the music that is so important throughout the series. Keep going, take your time, and do the whole series!

Great job guys! Such a pleasure being reminded how good the novels are and appreciating points I missed even after reading and listening to them several times. It was Patrick Tull btw who taught me that a good performance can add depth.