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

Jack and his new friend eat dinner, and we learn some of the Maturin backstory. The Sophie's new Lieutenant has a mysterious non-connection to Maturin, and while Jack strives to find more men, the crew’s problems may be just beginning. Ch 2.

Back to where it all started - Royal Navy Lieutenant Jack Aubrey meets a black-coated gentleman named Maturin at a concert, and arguably the world’s best book series ensues. Ch 1

This week we're bring you a special episode on leadership lessons from Jack Aubrey, Stephen Maturin and some of the leadership thinkers connected to them. We get help from French naval history researcher Olivier Aranda.

Stephen takes a balloon ride - real life, or fantasy? We dip into Irish mythology, learn a little more about Diana’s character and join in a sing-along. Our very special guest is illustrator, artist and O’Brian cover art fan favourite, Geoff Hunt. Ch 9.

This is a short special Christmas episode, containing a quick review of 2021, lots of thank-yous, and Christmas highlights from the POB canon (thanks to our great Patreon supporters). Enjoy - Episode 86 is out on January 2nd. Happy Holidays!

EP 85: Stephen is on several missions: to replenish his laudanum, to find Diana, to return the Blue Peter and attempt to save his marriage, all in time to meet Jack and head to South America. So far, the wind has not been fair for ships or balloons. Will Stephen’s premonitions, omens and dread prevail? Or will there be a cliff-hanger? Ch 9.

Sir Joseph and Stephen are looking for a way to have Jack restored. Jack has a homecoming, Stephen heads for Sweden and the reversals continue. There’s pocket-boroughs, hungry dogs, dirty puddings and Figaro just before we hear about “The Day of Wrath”. Ch 8.

We learn more about Jack’s wounds, sciatic stays and the relationship between butterflies and French intelligence agents. Meanwhile, Jack’s reinstatement to the navy list hangs in the balance, and his friends come to his aid. Will Jack let them help him? Ch 7.

Jack and the Surprise are headed into action, but not before we've considered poetics - there are Greek drama tips, crazed horses on ships, and Merry Christmas greetings from the Surprise crew’s wet lips. Ch 6.

Jack wants to practice his cutting-out routine - but can he navigate the grievances of Sethians, Muggletonians and Southcottians? And what about the maidens of Polcombe (wherever that is)? Ch 5.

We get glaziers, corsair bishops, balloonists and link-boys; Stephen gets medical supplies, news from Sweden and a reminder about insurance; and Jack gets silver plate and an exciting new mission!

Our heroes encounter a big blow, and their cruise gets extended. We learn about the perils, pitfalls and rewards of privateering. Jack learns a little mindfulness, and Padeen sinks deeper into addiction. We are once again reminded that it's all about the wind! Ch 3.

Jack exercises his new crew and tries to keep them from getting pressed, while Stephen talks carronades and strategy. In the meantime there's mooning, rogering and La Marseillaise - something for everyone? Ch 2.

At Shelmerston, Jack picks the last of his new crew, while Stephen gets distracted by a man in blue pants and a big bustard. Two interesting Admirals appear on the scene, one with a familiar name, as the Surprise prepares to sail. Ch 1.

Jack prepares to take the Surprise to sea to finalise her crew. Stephen’s French is tested when he’s invited to a mysterious and perhaps dangerous encounter. An old friend turns up with a missing possession and vital information, bringing the book to a dramatic end. Ch 10.

Stephen works to lessen Jack’s sentence, and get him on board with plans for the Surprise. Blaine offers counsels and potentially a new mission. And Jack's sentence is finalised and carried out, in one of the canon’s most emotional scenes. Ch 9.

Jack's legal situation worsens, as Stephen activates his back-up plan - a charming privateer, weatherly, stiff and fast ... you know the one! Also Byron, Donovan and a corsair named Dover. Can any of them help Jack avoid what's coming? Ch 8.

Jack and Stephen are getting their heads around Jack’s forthcoming trial - we find about the quality of justice, the puzzling fate of Ellis Palmer and parallels to our other hero, Thomas Cochrane. Ch 7.

We reach the conclusion of our review of M&CFSOTW in collaboration with the Cine-Files - can Jack Aubrey keep his naval family together? Can Hollom find leadership within himself? Will Stephen ever get to see his flightless cormorant? And what kind of surprise awaits the Acheron?

This is a joint episode with our friends Steve and John from The Cine-Files podcast, discussing the 2003 Peter Weir movie Master & Commander - Far Side Of The World. Part 2 is next week, and then we resume Reverse Of The Medal.

This week Babbington returns, as do honey-buzzards, cricket and hurling. Ashgrove Cottage comes to pieces at the hands of sailors. Reverend Martin is upset by the cost of setting up house, and he abandons bird-watching when Stephen needs it most. Finally, Jack gets an unexpected visit that changes everything. Ch 6.

Stephen hears a heart-breaking verse of Dryden, contemplates shearwaters, pulls a deserving nose and finally hangs out with his royal protectors. Along the way, he takes care of a big old MacGuffin. Ch 5.

After avoiding a bit of Cochrane action, Jack is on his way home, via London, in a leathern convenience. We find out how to kick up Bob's a-dying, and Jack is set for a fortune or a disaster - which will it be? Ch. 4

Jack, Stephen and the crew are chasing the Spartan, but pursued by their own doubts and superstitions. Three sightings, but will the tight-lipped crew take one last prize? Ch 3

Stephen and Jack are underway, still reflecting on the appearance of Sam Panda, pondering admirals, wives, saints and Jesuits along the way. And there's a new chase on the horizon! Ch 2.

We're at the beginning of The Reverse of the Medal - The Surprise and her captured whaler join the West Indies fleet, as people wonder whether Jack’s luck has run out. Stephen is back in high demand as a surgeon and intelligence agent, and Jack gets a surprise visit from a strangely familiar face. Ch 1.

The last of our series of Crossing The Line specials is all about music. With the help of special guest Rachel McMillan, we look back at how music has enriched the Patrick O'Brian stories, and look forward to musical treats to come. Bach, Boccherini and Mozart for all hands!

Our latest Crossing The Line special is all about children in the world of Patrick O'Brian. As we talk about Forshaw, Dil and squeakers past and present, we’re joined by special guest Steve Morris of the Cine Files podcast, and a special host too!

A mid season special, featuring a mix of highlights from past shows and fresh commentary. We're reaching out to a selected few of our past guests to add some of their thoughts, too - listen out for Eva Sandor joining us this week, as first of these specials comes out, on the topic of POB's humour.

The Far Side Of The World reaches a climax - there's confrontation and betrayal ashore, but who's that on the horizon? And we get a definitive answer to the question 'can it be ate?' - shark lovers, look away now. Ch 10

Jack is happy to be alive, so we explore the lot of women and men in the world, and how this relates to the Articles of War. Stephen tries bird-watching in a storm, resulting in a change in plans, and a visit to another uncharted island, this time flying a strange signal ... Ch 9.

Stephen and Jack figure out how they might survive on their desert island, if only Stephen can get on board with Jack’s taste in coconuts. We’re going to talk about rumours of a new Patrick O’Brian movie project on the horizon, while Jimmy Buffett takes us to the far side of the world. Ch 8.

In the Galápagos Islands we consider wildlife, mating rituals and gobstoppers. Stephen gets angry with Jack, and they learn that skipping a night of music can have disastrous results. Jack and Stephen become part of a new crew, and contemplate some wizened, purse-like objects. Meanwhile, we talk to Clare Hunt of the National Museum of the Royal Navy. Ch 7.

Jack and the Surprise find an accommodating island, the sun comes out and things start to look a little better before the trouble starts - especially if your last name starts with an “H.” We have a couple of chases, some unearthly wailing and learn that Paradise might be closer than we know. Ch 6.

There's time ashore for Maturin and Martin, but the owl-faced night ape takes its toll, and South America offers addictive new possibilities. As the repaired Surprise races to catch the Norfolk, there are complications, a prize in view and the Horn to weather. Ch 5.

Trouble and foreboding aboard the Surprise - adultery threatens the equanimity of the ship, and Jack would rather heave-to and paint than cross the Line. Terrible puns are his only relief, sadly. Ch 4.

Out at sea, the new crew of the Surprise is getting to know each other better. Blood letting is just around the corner, but not in the way that you'd think. To top it all, there's a troublesome goat, so grab a dish of tea and enjoy the episode. Ch 3

Jack is getting ready for sea, and Stephen is birding at the top of Gibraltar rock, but what is the port admiral up to? What's going on among the warrant officers? And who is that uncommonly handsome young woman? Ch 2.

We're starting a new book, beginning in Gibraltar and all seems suddenly right with the world - the Fieldings reunited, Stephen's message to Diana on its way, and the Surprise on a new mission to The Far Side Of The World. We learn about the art of spin doctoring, and the fallacious nature of Black Swans. What could possibly go wrong? Ch 1.

The end of Treason's Harbour should also be the end of the line for Wray, Harte, the Surprise and the Dey of Mascara - but how will that work out in the end? Meanwhile, it's a whole new year for the Lubber's Hole! Ch 10

The action and tension are building, at sea and back in Valetta - a 'most romantic frame' is aboard the Nymphe, and almost takes us by Surprise. And there's a Derry Girls connection, so there is. Ch 9,10

Wray and Maturin play for high stakes, but Killick saves the chelengk. We return to Kutali, meet old friends, hear Jack fumbling with Greek and Italian, and have a brush with Bogart and Bergman. Ch 9,10

Jack tests his fortune with the admiral after mixed fortunes in Arabia. Stephen looks like a vagrant, Jack feels like a bereaved lover and the Surprise looks like change could be coming. And we talk Mediterranean strategy, amphibious operations and the Ottoman empire with special guest Philip Ball. Ch 8.

Jack says an awkward goodbye to his Turkish and Arabian guests, while he and Stephen chat about politics, ophthalmia and even adultery with a new friend. We discover the remarkable Lady Hester Stanhope, witness a Bedouin fantasia, and wonder what the admiral will say about it all. Ch7.

Sunken galleys, treasure, sharks, khat and a diving bell - everything about this week's episode says 'exotic'. But can Jack turn all this excitement into victory over the French? And if not, why not? Ch 6.

Jack, Stephen and their followers have to travel across the desert, threatened on all sides by ghouls and jinns and fairies, supported by a noble horse, and by an odabashi with remarkable language skills. Ch 5.

Stephen finds late nights and guilt are bothering him. No such problem for Jack, who's given orders to sail, temporarily bidding farewell and adieu to the Maltese ladies. Speaking of which - we talk about sea shanties with John Bromley from Kimber's Men. Ch 4.

Stephen's newest scientific instrument is here, and it's the bell of the world. Jack and Stephen are both interested in Laura Fielding, but for very different reasons, and everyone's interested in the flauto d'amore, thanks to a dose of Spanish Fly. Listeners help us entangle boats and goats, and it's all in the best possible taste. Ch 3.

More ups and downs (physical and metaphorical) for Jack and the crew of the Surprise. While health can come and go, plainchant is eternal. But wait - who's that counting his barrels in the cloister? Ch 1-2.

We make a start on Treason's Harbour, with a Chelengk and a dog and advancement for Pullings, but we soon encounter some tricky questions: did Stephen REALLY dislike Rousseau? And why? And what's that got to do with Frankenstein? Our special guest Brian Wilson helps us out. Ch 1.