Master and Commander (Vol. Book 1)  (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)
The opening salvo of theAubrey-Maturin epic, in which the surgeon introduces himself to the captain by driving an elbow into his ribs during a chamber-music recital. Fortunately for millions of readers, the two quickly make up. Then they commence one of the great  literary voyages of our century, set against an immaculately-detailed backdrop of the Napoleonic wars. This is the place to start--and in all likelihood, you won't be able to stop.--This text refers to thePaperbackedition.