It is the dawn of the 19th century; Jack Aubrey, a young lieutenant in Nelson's navy, has been promoted to captain, and inherits command of HMS Sophie. A brave and gifted seaman, Aubrey's thirst for adventure and glory is satisfied as he embarks on thrilling battles with his crew.
Soon to be a new movie with a $15 million budget, starring Russell Crowe and directed by Peter Weir, Master and Commander establishes the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey and his ship's surgeon Dr. Stepen Maturin.
I read the book after I had seen the movie(which I loved) and thought the book was better than the movie. I was hooked and didn't stop until I had read the entire series.