The Lubber's Hole - A Patrick O'Brian Podcast Mike & Ian

Welcome to the Lubber's Hole - Ian & Mike get started with Master and Commander, the first in the series.  We talk about the origins of the Aubrey/Maturin books, the first encounters between Stephen and Jack, and the emerging story of James Dillon.  The first connections emerge between the books and the great Peter Weir movie, and we dodge the subject of goats, sadly. Ch 1-9

Mike and Ian review the second half of Master and Commander.  We uncover more 'Russell Crowe alerts', talk about loyalty and love afloat and ashore, and of course we cover the final action-packed chapters of the book - what does the Spanish navy have in store for the Sophie and for the rest of the British fleet? Ch 10-12

Ian and Mike dive deeper into the Aubrey / Maturin canon, looking at the opening chapters of Post Captain.  A whole cast of new female characters, financial setbacks, heartbreak and jealousy, plus of course horses and fart jokes, and a bear called Flora - they're all here. Ch 1-4

Jack and Stephen's financial and romantic affairs become increasingly complex, not to mention conflicted.  Mike and Ian talk through the emotional and practical consequences, while our special guest, educator and re-enactor Karen Millyard, covers the social side - what was really going on at the Melbury Lodge ball? Ch 5-6

Jack has a ship, Pullings is a lieutenant, but all is still not well ... a dogged and unhappy crew, a fragile friendship, financial hardship, deceptions and dalliances all threaten Jack and Stephen's happiness and safety.  As the plot tangles them more and more deeply, an unlikely candidate emerges to cut the knots of jealousy and set them free.  Who can it be?   Ch 7-9

Everything is now in play - lives, careers, relationships, fortunes, all thrown into one great gamble in Jack's expedited cutting-out mission at Chaulieu.  Jack and Stephen might get to redeem themselves and each other, but what about Sophie?  We talk over the final tense chapters of Post Captain, and (at long last) make a connection with the West Wing - who knew? Ch 11-14