Reference sources for Aubrey/Maturin

• McGregor, Tom. The Making of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. New York : W.W. Norton, 2003. ISBN 0393058654. 168 pages.
  If you're more into the movie than the O'Brian books, this is a valuable purchase because in addition to the many color behind-the-scenes pictures, there's a bit of historical information thrown in as well, especially concerning costumes and daily life. Not as detailed and authoritative as the other books listed here, but a good starting place for the beginner or someone who is more interested in the movie. There is a very brief glossary of nautical terms.
• King, Dean. A Sea of Words : a Lexicon and Companion to the Complete Seafaring Tales of Patrick O'Brian. 3rd ed. New York : Henry Holt and Co., 2000. ISBN 080506615. 500 pages.
  Not exhaustive, but thoroughly useful. Contains two prefatory chapters: one an overview of the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, and one on Stephen and naval medicine during the time period. The bulk of the book is a lexicon of historical figures, ships, words (including nautical terms), places, and foreign words and phrases. At the end is a chronology spanning the years covered by the O'Brian books, and very good bibliography. There are some black and white illustrations and diagrams. Wondering what a "contubernal" is (when Stephen calls Jack one)? Or what the meaning and origin of O fortunatos nimium, sua si bona norint, agricolas (Jack's remembered Latin in Post Captain, which he wants to flash out and impress Stephen with) were? Or just what are futtock shrouds? This book will help.
• Lavery, Brian. Jack Aubrey Commands : an Historical Companion to the Naval World of Patrick O'Brian. Annapolis : Naval Institute Press, 2003. ISBN 1591144035. 182 pages.
  Excellent and authoritative compact version of the author's more detailed Nelson's Navy. Includes bibliography, index, brief glossary, and illustrations in color and black-and-white. Mentions not only the O'Brian books but also the fiction of Frederick Marryat and C.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower books. The foreword by Peter Weir discusses the filming of the movie. Chapters: Naval Fact and Naval Fiction, The World of the Seaman, The Ships, Officers, The Lower Deck, Techniques, Life at Sea, Enemies and Allies, The Navy in Action, The Experience of War.
• Lavery, Brian. Nelson's Navy : the Ships, Men and Organisation 1793-1815. Annapolis : Naval Institute Press, 1989. ISBN 1591146119. 352 pages.
  Comprehensive and detailed look at the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic era. Includes index, lists of sources, appendices, and many black-and-white illustrations. Chapters: Background, Types of Ships, Shipbuilding, Officers, Naval Recruitment, Seamen and Landmen, Marines, Techniques, Shipboard Life, Dockyards and Bases, Fleets, The Seaman's World, Foreign Navies, Tactics. Quotes from contemporary eyewitnesses and naval documents enrich the exhaustive factual descriptions. For serious naval history geeking out.
• Goodwin, Peter. Men O'War : the Illustrated Story of Life in Nelson's Navy. London : Carlton Books and the National Maritime Museum, 2003. ISBN 1844428710. 128 pages.
  Concentrates more on the social and organizational aspects of Nelson's navy rather than the military aspects, but is a brief overview, and not an exhaustive description. Quite useful in getting a sense of the routine and daily habits of life at sea, and the typical career paths of sea officers and men. Chapters: The Georgian Navy from 1793 to 1815, Ships and Weaponry, Seamen and Marines, The Warrant Officers, The Commissioned Officers, Life at Sea, Victualling and Health at Sea, Intelligence, Espionage and Signalling. Contains an index and brief bibliography. Many illustrations, some in color. This book answers questions such as "what food did they eat" and "how could a midshipman become an admiral".
• O'Neill, Richard, consultant editor. Patrick O'Brian's Navy : the Illustrated Companion to Jack Aubrey's World. London : Salamander Books, 2003. ISBN 0762415401. 160 pages.
  An overview of the Georgian British Navy with specific references to Jack Aubrey's career and experiences as laid out in the O'Brian books. Although it touches on social aspects, the emphasis is on the political and military aspects and battles. As such, it makes a nice brief companion book to Peter Goodwin's Men O'War, but it also duplicates information found there (and elsewhere). Chapters: The World that Jack Knew, Aubrey's England, Hearts of Oak, A Life on the Ocean Wave, The Eyes of the Fleet, The Thunder of Battle, Scoundrels and Malefactors. Contains an index, a short list of major characters from the books (by the way, contains spoilers, if you're not through the entire series yet), and a brief glossary of nautical terms. Presents some quotes and episodes of Jack Aubrey's life in a historical context. Many illustrations and diagrams, mostly in color. This book answers questions such as "what was the Battle of Cape St Vincent" and "what pay would Jack Aubrey have earned".
• Chotzinoff Grossman, Anne, and Lisa Grossman Thomas. Lobscouse & Spotted Dog : Which It's a Gastronomic Companion to the Aubrey/Maturin Novels. New York : W.W. Norton, 1997. ISBN 0393320944. 304 pages.
  A cookbook! Aside from recipes (mostly adapted for modern cooks), this is full of information about cookery in the 18th and 19th centuries, including some of Stephen's remedies. It's also hilariously written and includes lots of relevant excerpts from the books. An enjoyable oddity. (P.S.: the spotted dog is delicious.)
• Anatomy of a Ship series. London : Conway Maritime Press.
  An expensive collection of books for the die-hard enthusiast. Each volume focuses on one ship and exhaustively describes it, including a history of the ship and its class, and devoting most of the book to scale drawings of every part of the ship. Included in the series are books on the 74-gun Bellona (which Jack Aubrey once commanded in the books), Captain Cook's Endeavour, and the 100-gun Victory.
• Harland, John. Seamanship in the Age of Sail. Annapolis : Naval Institute Press, 1985 (reprinted 2003). ISBN 0870219553. 320 pages.
  Authoritative and exhaustive explanation of the mechanics and science of sailing ships. Includes many black-and-white diagrams and illustrations, an index, and a bibliography. Presumes some familiarity with naval terminology.

And also available (can't vouch for these myself):

• Miller, David. The World of Jack Aubrey : Twelve-Pounders, Frigates, Cutlasses, and Insignia of His Majesty's Royal Navy. Courage Books, 2003. ISBN 0762416521. 96 pages. Illustrated.
  Emphasis seems to be on the weapons, equipment, and uniforms of the Georgian Navy.
• King, Dean, and John B. Hattendorf. Harbors and High Seas : an Atlas and Geographical Guide to the Complete Aubrey-Maturin Novels of Patrick O'Brian. 3rd edition. New York : Owl Books (Henry Holt and Co.), 2000. ISBN 0805066144. 288 pages. Illustrated.
• Brown, Anthony Gary. Persons, Animals, Ships and Cannon in the Aubrey-Maturin Sea Novels of Patrick O'Brian. McFarland and Co., 1999. ISBN 0786406844. 350 pages.
  A dictionary of all names and proper nouns in the first 19 books of the Patrick O'Brian Aubrey/Maturin novels (Master and Commander through The Hundred Days).
• McGuane, James P. Heart of Oak : a Sailor's Life in Nelson's Navy. New York : W.W. Norton and Co., 2002. ISBN 0393047490. 192 pages. Copiously illustrated in color.
  Primarily a visual reference book full of photographs of everyday objects from maritime museums and private collections of nautical paraphernalia from the Royal Navy during Nelson's time.
• Harvey, Robert. Cochrane : The Life and Exploits of a Fighting Captain. Carroll and Graf. ISBN 0786709235.
• Cochrane, Thomas, Lord. The Autobiography of a Seaman. Lions Press, 2000. Reprint.
  

last updated 4/25/2013