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Kay, in the same hoopoe/epop scene, Maturin says something about Aubrey's "missing" epaulette, which of course is not missing; someone of his rank only wears one. I love O'Brian's humor, and here he uses it to show that these two men come from different worlds, are experts in their own sphere, and clueless in the other's. But unite, as you note, through the universal of music!

I love the Star Trek reference. Perfect! Glad to have you with us, Kay.

I also like how you point out that the "every captain for himself" mentality is so different from what we are used to. When I've read other non-fiction and historical fiction about the era, I've often wondered how the British navy could be so mighty with all the squabbling and infighting and lack-of-support from superiors. And yet I can see how it would make the navy stronger, in another sense. All the captains would have to be good at some degree of political maneuvering, survival of the fittest kind of thing--to some extent it would make them all stronger.

Of course there would be unfair exceptions in both directions: people who would otherwise be great captains having too much bad luck, and people succeeding who are good at politics but know nothing of sailing. Which is why I guess lean towards a different system. :)

Kay wrote: "I'm reading "Master and Commander" for the first time, and I've seen the movie twice. Loved the movie, but I think I'll love the book even more. (Maybe the series - who knows?) I had heard a lon..."

I think a lot of the problems in the turn over is the admiral trying to set Aubrey up for failure. While it was typical for the captain to take a small portion of the crew with him when they left, what happened to Aubrey's crew was not normal.

Patricrk, who do you think was trying to set Aubrey up for failure and why?

Bentley wrote: "Patricrk, who do you think was trying to set Aubrey up for failure and why?"

I think Admiral Hart is trying to set up Aubrey for failure. He allowed or initiated the removal of a great deal of the crew and really made sure that the previous captain was gone from the port before Aubrey learned of his appointment. Hart has given Aubrey a slow weakly armed ship and assigned him to convey escort (a neccesary job) but one if you lose any of your slow uncooperative charges you will be seen as a ineffective officer. I think to explain why is a spoiler at this point.

There is plenty of evidence in the first chapter that Hart is trying to undercut Aubrey. On page 25, O'Brian comes right out and says "whether he disliked Jack because Jack was tall and he was short, or whether he suspected him of carrying on an intrigue with his wife, it was all one--there was a strong antipathy between them and it was of long standing."

Later, on page 26, the delay in Aubrey getting his letter is referred to as Hart's "dirty little trick."

Again, just looking at the events in chapter one, the reader may well believe that Aubrey is carrying on an intrigue with Hart's wife. They are really very comfortable together. Of course, the truth of the situation, and if there is anything else going on, is only speculation at this point.

Yes, Elizabeth, I thought that was part of Chapter 1 too. I think the Hart's dirty little trick comment solidified who Aubrey thought was to blame for his "situation".

And of course Patricrk was absolutely correct.

Yes, I wondered about Aubrey and Hart's wife and was that a foreshadowing of Aubrey being classified a ladies man or worse. It does appear there is a tendency to suspect that Aubrey is very fond of the ladies (however, we are not too sure if he is interested in only the unattached or is inclined to fancy the married kind).

I have not seem any revelations about this personality type in chapter one. So it is as you said...only speculation at this point.

Well said, Bentley. It would be fun to discuss such speculations based entirely on what is revealed, or hinted at, in just the first chapter. But so many have read the book, the series, or at least into the next chapter, it would be hard to keep ourselves honest! :)

I think the first chapter sets a broad stage. We are introduced to a lot, but have yet to see much detail or depth.

Very true and btw..good opening for week two.