The War of 1812 still rages as Jack Aubrey and his tetchy, sardonic friend Stephen Maturin lay a course across the South Atlantic to intercept a powerful American frigate outward bound to play havoc with the British whaling trade.

If they do not come up with her before she rounds the Horn, they must follow her as far across the Pacific as she may lead them. It Is a commission after Jack’s own heart, while Maturin has fish of his own to fry in the world of secret intelligence.

In classic O’Brian style, the execution of their duties is hampered by a succession of disasters men overboard, castaways, encounters with savages, storms, typhoons, groundings and shipwrecks, to say nothing of murder and criminal insanity.

Read by Robert Hardy.

2 hours 45 mins on 3 CDs/ 2 cassettes

NOW A MAJOR FILM STARRING RUSSELL CROWES AS JACK AUBERY