| Edition |
[New edition], first Owl Books edition. |
| Description |
xvi, 400 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 21 cm |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages [371]-379) and index. |
| Contents |
Prologue: London, July 1945 -- pt. 1: Green. A top hat, a clean collar, and clean boots, 1850-1900 -- Walden, 1914-1922 -- The pen mightier than the pain, 1923-1930 -- pt. 2: Red. Beasts royal, 1930-1934 -- Catching lightning in ajar, 1934-1939 -- Blood, sweat, toil, and tears, 1940-1943 -- An Irishman is born, 1943-1946 -- pt. 3: Slate. The last approach to the mansion of Pluto, 1946-1947 -- Moelwyn Bank, 1948-1949 -- pt. 4: Azure. The last stronghold of poets and painters, 1949-1953 -- The Catalans, 1953-1955 -- Voyaging with Commodore Anson, 1955-1959 -- Temple and Beauvoir, 1960-1966 -- Master and commander, 1967-1969 -- An epicis launched, 1970-1973 -- Becoming Picasso, 1973-1976 -- pt. 5: Deep blue. At sea again, 1976-1978 -- Writing with Stunsails aloft and alow, 1978-1984 -- Singing of Sir Joseph, 1985-1986 -- Sailing in the trade winds, 1987-1990 -- pt. 6: Gold. The best writer you never heard of? 1990-1992 -- The wages of fame, 1993-1994 -- The commodore's second triumphal tour, 1995-1996 -- A night of honor, October 11, 1996 -- Epilogue. |
| Summary |
This volume is a biography of English novelist Patrick O'Brian (1914-2000). O'Brian is best known for his Aubrey-Maturin series of novels set in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars and centered on the friendship between English Naval Captain Jack Aubrey and the Irish-Catalan physician Stephen Maturin. The 20-novel series is known for its well-researched and highly detailed portrayal of early 19th century life, as well as its authentic and evocative language. O'Brian died in the Westbury Hotel in Dublin, Ireland. Like his life, O'Brian's death was marked by secrecy and confusion, sharpening the curiosity of his many readers who for years have speculated about the man behind the beloved series of novels. This work unveils the story of Richard Patrick Russ, a writer and intellectual who emerged from the Second World War as Patrick O'Brian, a persona created by his imagination and refined over decades. To research this book, the author crisscrossed Europe to speak to long-lost relatives, friends, and colleagues of his famously reclusive subject. |
| Subject |
O'Brian, Patrick, 1914-2000.
|
|
Novelists, English -- 20th century -- Biography.
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Historical fiction -- Authorship.
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Sea stories -- Authorship.
|
| ISBN |
0805059776 paperback $15.00 |
|
9780805059779 paperback |
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