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I have read some of the Aubrey-Maturin novels. They are a true joy! If you plan to read them try to get ahold of a dictionary of nautical terms. Wikipedia has

I have read some of the Aubrey-Maturin novels. They are a true joy! If you plan to read them try to get ahold of a dictionary of nautical terms. Wikipedia has a free glossary [1] which can be helpful but I'd prefer a paper version if I could find a good one. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_nautical_terms_(A–L) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_nautical_terms_(A–...

jabl 2y ago
You could try "Sea of Words" by Dean King. It's pretty good. (Presumably the same Dean King mentioned in the linked article, FWIW.)
- saintaardvark 2y ago
  +1e9 for "A Sea of Words" (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218275.A_Sea_of_Words https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218275.A_Sea_of_Words). It's excellent reading in itself and helped a lot understanding the vocabulary.
- robterrell 2y ago
  Strongly recommend this. I enjoyed "Master & Commander" (and read the first three books in the series, which are really one continuous story) before finding "A Sea of Words" and was astounded, on a re-read, at how much I didn't understand about sailing terminology, life onboard, the navy, etc. But it's also a book that rewards knowledge of French, Latin, the history of science, music, geography... really an astounding book.
  - giraffe_lady 2y ago
    Sea of words would probably do well as a companion but I think for understanding you'd be better off with just an illustrated sailing manual like royce's or the annapolis book. He was a good writer who understood he was writing for a modern audience and had a plan about it. The royal navy period social stuff is explained in detail as it becomes relevant. Sometimes things are mentioned without being explained, but he always fills in a detail before it actually matters for the plot. The sailing specific jargon though there is just too much and a lot of it you can functionally treat as technobabble and the books read fine. I think having knowledge of the points of sail and their dynamics is the main thing he assumes that is actually important for following the action.
williamsmj 2y ago
For what it's worth, the use case that caused me to finally "get" chatbots was as a support while reading the Aubrey-Maturin series. The first conversation in my Claude history is me asking it "Compare the relative strengths of cannon and carronades. Which was more accurate?" (But if you prefer a book, https://www.amazon.com/Patrick-OBrian-Muster-Book-Aubrey-Maturin/dp/0786424826 https://www.amazon.com/Patrick-OBrian-Muster-Book-Aubrey-Mat... is very useful.)
- deleted 2y ago
  [deleted]
bandrami 2y ago
The culinarily-minded should also pick up "Lobscouse and Spotted Dog" by Grossman and Thomas[1]. This a cookbook by a mother and daughter team who cooked every single dish mentioned in the series with period recipes and techniques. As they say, the proof of the pudding is in its fruit. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Lobscouse-Spotted-Dog-Gastronomic-Companion/dp/0393320944 https://www.amazon.com/Lobscouse-Spotted-Dog-Gastronomic-Com...

jabl 2y ago

You could try "Sea of Words" by Dean King. It's pretty good. (Presumably the same Dean King mentioned in the linked article, FWIW.)

saintaardvark 2y ago
+1e9 for "A Sea of Words" (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218275.A_Sea_of_Words https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218275.A_Sea_of_Words). It's excellent reading in itself and helped a lot understanding the vocabulary.
robterrell 2y ago
Strongly recommend this. I enjoyed "Master & Commander" (and read the first three books in the series, which are really one continuous story) before finding "A Sea of Words" and was astounded, on a re-read, at how much I didn't understand about sailing terminology, life onboard, the navy, etc. But it's also a book that rewards knowledge of French, Latin, the history of science, music, geography... really an astounding book.
- giraffe_lady 2y ago
  Sea of words would probably do well as a companion but I think for understanding you'd be better off with just an illustrated sailing manual like royce's or the annapolis book. He was a good writer who understood he was writing for a modern audience and had a plan about it. The royal navy period social stuff is explained in detail as it becomes relevant. Sometimes things are mentioned without being explained, but he always fills in a detail before it actually matters for the plot. The sailing specific jargon though there is just too much and a lot of it you can functionally treat as technobabble and the books read fine. I think having knowledge of the points of sail and their dynamics is the main thing he assumes that is actually important for following the action.

williamsmj 2y ago

For what it's worth, the use case that caused me to finally "get" chatbots was as a support while reading the Aubrey-Maturin series. The first conversation in my Claude history is me asking it "Compare the relative strengths of cannon and carronades. Which was more accurate?" (But if you prefer a book, https://www.amazon.com/Patrick-OBrian-Muster-Book-Aubrey-Maturin/dp/0786424826 https://www.amazon.com/Patrick-OBrian-Muster-Book-Aubrey-Mat... is very useful.)

deleted 2y ago
[deleted]

bandrami 2y ago

The culinarily-minded should also pick up "Lobscouse and Spotted Dog" by Grossman and Thomas[1]. This a cookbook by a mother and daughter team who cooked every single dish mentioned in the series with period recipes and techniques. As they say, the proof of the pudding is in its fruit. [1] https://www.amazon.com/Lobscouse-Spotted-Dog-Gastronomic-Companion/dp/0393320944 https://www.amazon.com/Lobscouse-Spotted-Dog-Gastronomic-Com...