The Letter of Marque by Patrick O'Brian; The Aubrey-Maturin Series, Book 12; Unabridged MP3 Audio Book; Narrator Simon Vance

In the early 1800s, the British Navy stands as the only bulwark against the militant fanaticism of Napoleonic France. Jack Aubrey, a brilliant and experienced officer, has been struck off the list of post-captains for a crime he has not committed. His old friend Stephen Maturin, usually acting as the ship's surgeon to cover his activities on behalf of British intelligence, has bought for Aubrey his old ship, the Surprise, to command as a privateer. Together they sail on a desperate mission against the French which, if successful, may redeem Aubrey from the private hell of his disgrace.

In this twelfth installment of the beloved Aubrey-Maturin series, Patrick O'Brian has created another tale of great narrative power.

“Vance is absolutely perfect for O’Brian’s sad and stirring tale....[He] catches the subtle differences between the land-owning Jack, his rough-tongued crew and the Spanish/Irish Maturin. O’Brian fans should relish this excellent audio outing as should anyone with a love of adventure, history, the sea and fine writing.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“If Jane Austen wrote Royal Navy yarns, they might read like this….The early-19th-century locations are fascinating, as are the evocation of period shipboard life …. Seafarers and landlubbers alike will enjoy this swift, witty tale of money and love.”—Publishers Weekly

The late Patrick O'Brian was the author of more than twenty Aubrey-Maturin historical adventures. There are over five million copies of his books in print.

Simon Vance, a former BBC Radio presenter and newsreader, is a full-time actor who has appeared on both stage and television. He has recorded over four hundred audiobooks and has earned over twenty Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine, including one for his narration of Theft by Peter Carey. A twelve-time Audie finalist, Simon has won three Audie Awards, including one for Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, and the 2008 Booklist Voice of Choice Award. He has also been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009.