The Lubber’s Hole - A Patrick O’Brian Podcast

Episode 19 - The Fortune of War (Part 2)

Jack's journey round the world continues, even though he's not in command of the ship. Life in a lifeboat, and then in a lunatic asylum, leave him depending on Stephen, j

Episode 18 - The Fortune of War (Part 1)

Jack and Stephen have survived, and found their way from Desolation to civilisation - which in this case means cricket, culture and letters from home. They're in a hurry

Episode 17 - Desolation Island (Final Part); Brian Wilson

The Leopard is in deep trouble, getting deeper with every page of Desolation Island.  We enjoy a 'Santa Claus' moment aboard the Leopard, and welcome our special guest Br

Episode 16 - Desolation Island (Part 2)

With gaol fever aboard the Leopard, the discussion turns to disease and death.  We uncover a casual exorcism, and stumble across Butch and Sundance, as we revisit the mos

Episode 15 - Desolation Island (Part 1)

Jack's family is growing, but so are his financial commitments; Stephen doubts whether he can ever be truly happy ... sounds like the perfect moment for a new sea voyage

Episode 14 - The Mauritius Command (Final Part); James Albright

Ian and Mike bring The Mauritius Command to an end: can Jack fare better without Clonfert, Corbett and Pym?  Will he have the wind taken out of his sails by Admiral Berti

Episode 13 - The Mauritius Command (Part 2)

The campaign to take Mauritius and La Reunion is underway, but with the French still commanding the odds, and a hurricane brewing.  Can Jack muster a coherent campaign wi

Episode 12 - The Mauritius Command (Part 1)

Jack is married and settled in his dream cottage with Sophie - but the dream isn't working out perfectly, so a new mission in the Indian ocean has him hurrying to get to

Episode 11 - HMS Surprise (Final Part)

It's been a long journey, but Jack and Stephen are finally headed for home.  Before they get there, Jack must face the French, Stephen must face a duel, and they both mus

Episode 10 - HMS Surprise (Part 4)

Steven and Jack are in Bombay, and there are temptations and tragedies at hand.  Ian and Mike talk through the emotional depths of O'Brian's great writing, and explore li

Episode 9 - HMS Surprise (Part 3); Tom Horn

The Surprise, now a character in her own right, carries Jack and Stephen (and their passengers) through a life-threatening storm.  We get assistance in navigating the Sou

Episode 8 - HMS Surprise (Part 2)

Now cast ashore, Stephen and Jack encounter a shock, a revelation, a bolt from the blue: an auspicious ship to carry them round the world. They meet vampires, rats, albat

Episode 7 - HMS Surprise (Part 1); Jeremy Raymond

To look back on the first two books with a fresh perspective, we're joined by our friend Jeremy, who read Master & Commander just to help us out; and we turn the first pa

Episode 6 - Post Captain (Final Part)

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 Steph

Episode 5 - Post Captain (Part 3)

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 al

Episode 4 - Post Captain (Part 2); Karen Millyard

Jack and Stephen's financial and romantic affairs become increasingly complex, not to mention conflicted.  Mike and Ian talk through the emotional and practical consequen

Episode 3 - Post Captain (Part 1)

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, hea

Episode 2 - Master and Commander (Final Part)

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 cove

Teaser

Ian & Mike give you a quick welcome to the world of the Lubber's Hole podcast, a journey through the books of Patrick O'Brian.  Preparing the way for Episode 1 - there's

Episode 1 - Master and Commander (Part 1)

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 firs