Patrick O'Brian · 1969 · mediterranean

The first of Patrick O'Brian's twenty Aubrey-Maturin novels, set in the Mediterranean in 1800. Lieutenant Jack Aubrey, newly made master and commander, is given his first ship, the little brig-sloop Sophie, and a chance friendship with the physician and naturalist Stephen Maturin begins a partnership that will run through the whole series. This route follows the Sophie's cruise from Port Mahon along the Spanish coast to her famous victory over the far larger Spanish xebec-frigate Cacafuego, and ends off Gibraltar where Jack's luck at last runs out.

1. 1
   Port Mahon

   At Port Mahon on Minorca, then a British naval base, the impecunious Lieutenant Jack Aubrey learns he has been promoted and given command of the brig-sloop Sophie. The night before, at a concert, he has met a destitute physician named Stephen Maturin; now he takes him aboard as ship's surgeon, and one of the great friendships in fiction sets sail.

2. 2
   Barcelona

   Cruising the Spanish coast off Barcelona, Jack works the Sophie and her crew into a fighting unit and takes prize after prize, earning his nickname of Lucky Jack. It is here, against all odds, that the little brig meets and batters into surrender the Cacafuego, a Spanish xebec-frigate of far heavier metal, in the action that makes his name.

3. 3
   Cape Nao

   Off Cape Nao on the Valencian coast the Sophie ranges in search of French and Spanish merchantmen, Maturin marvelling at the seabirds while the crew explain to him the mysteries of prize money and naval custom. But ashore Jack's enemies are gathering, and the recognition his victory deserves is quietly denied him.

4. 4
   Gibraltar

   Driven down toward the Strait of Gibraltar, the Sophie at last falls in with a powerful French squadron under Admiral Linois and, after a desperate chase, is taken. Jack, a prisoner, watches from the French flagship as the squadron fights the confused night battle of Algeciras, his first command behind him but his career only beginning.