Those that know me well, know that I have been a long time model maker of various
subjects. Over the years I have built models of aeroplanes, cars, lorries, boats, ships,
spacecraft, dolls-houses, model railways and  American model "railroads", e.t.c.
I also have a substantial collection of die-cast and plastic aircraft and airliners.

This last year I have "re-fallen" back in love with the old sailing ships of Nelson's
days and not because it just happens to be 200th anniversary of the battle of
Trafalgar this year! I have always been an avid reader of the likes of
C.S. Forrester, Alexander Kent and Julian Stockwin among a few others,
but this year I saw Peter Weir's brilliant film adaptation of two of Patrick O'Brian's
sea faring novels "Master and Commander - The Far Side Of The World" and
I was immediately hooked. I have now read my way through all
of Patrick O'Brian's twenty and a half book series of sea-going novels,
and now that I have finished them, I am very sorry that there will be no more.
Patrick O'Brian passed away in 2000 at the age of 85, he was writing his
twenty first book in the series at the time, which has since been published as
"The final unfinished voyage of Jack Aubrey"
it is printed complete with copies of his original handwritten manuscript and notes.
I can heartily recommend these books to anyone with the slightest interest
in life during the old "Nelson's Navy" days, The characters are so vividly and skilfully
portrayed, and to be sure there are battles and skirmishes both by land and by sea, it
is however the verbal and social interaction between the two main protagonist:
Captain (Lucky) Jack Aubrey and his "particular friend" Dr Stephen Maturin, that
shines forth like a beacon from between the pages of the these wonderful books.
Patrick O'Brian was well known for his meticulous research into technical and
social history, however this never seems to be overdone and certainly never bogs down
the flowing narrative that Patrick O'Brian has become so well known for.
Patrick O'Brian was a great fan of Jane Austen and her novels, and the more astute
amongst his readers will have noted the JAck AUbrey and JAne AUsten connection.
If you have never read any of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin novels,
then I most sincerely urge you to start doing so, beginning with first novel in
the series entitled: "Master and Commander" at your earliest convenience.
"There is not a moment to lose"

To be honest, I am reading them all again, but this time I am going to
take my time and savour every word that Patrick O'Brian wrote.

ALEXANDER KENT'S new novel: "Band of Brothers" is published the first week
in September and is a continuation of the MIDSHIPMAN BOLITHO series.
Click here for details

JULIAN STOCKWIN'S latest novel in his highly acclaimed "KYDD"
series is being published on October 10th in hardback form,
and I shall be first in the queue at my local bookshop!
Click here for details


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