The Hundred Days
A gripping naval adventure during Napoleon's return
Format:Paperback
Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers
Published:20th Sep '99
Should be back in stock very soon
As Napoleon returns from exile, Commodore Jack Aubrey must thwart his ambitions in The Hundred Days, leading a daring naval mission.
In The Hundred Days, the tension escalates as Napoleon has escaped from Elba, igniting a dramatic resurgence in his quest for power. The war has seemingly concluded, and the armies have dispersed, yet the former Emperor of the French is on the move again, marching towards Paris with a growing force. This unexpected turn of events sets the stage for a gripping naval adventure, where the stakes are higher than ever before.
Commodore Jack Aubrey finds himself at the center of this unfolding crisis. Tasked with a crucial mission, he must lead his convoy to dismantle enemy shipyards along the Adriatic coast. The goal is to cut off the financial resources that could enable Napoleon’s resurgence. As Aubrey races against time, the reader is drawn into a world of strategic naval battles, espionage, and the relentless pursuit of power.
The Hundred Days is not just a tale of military might; it delves into the intricacies of leadership, loyalty, and the human spirit in the face of adversity. As Aubrey and his crew navigate treacherous waters, both literally and metaphorically, the narrative unfolds with rich detail and historical authenticity, making it a standout entry in Patrick O’Brian’s celebrated series.
‘If O’Brian’s novels have become a cult, this is because they are truly addictive. . . They are, quite magnificently, adventure yarns whose superb authenticity never distracts from the sheer thrill of the action.’
Caroline Moore, Sunday Telegraph
‘The Aubrey–Maturin novels, by Patrick O’Brian, are so addictive that after I finish one I have to hide the next from myself for a little while in order to do anything else but read.’
Louise Erdrich
‘In Aubrey and Maturin, Patrick O’Brian has created two of the most enjoyable characters in twentieth-century fiction. Their relationship sustains an absorbing and thrilling sequence of naval stories, unrivalled in their complexity, full of impeccable detail and psychological insight. O’Brian switches from the intimate to the epic with equal assurance. One of the greatest authors to sail with.’
Michael Palin
‘My hero is Patrick O’Brian. It’s basically impossible to write that well.’
David Mamet
‘One of the most compelling and brilliant novelists of his time . . . Beyond his superbly elegant writing, wit and originality, Patrick O’Brian showed an understanding of the nature of a floating world at the mercy of the wind and the sea which has never been surpassed.’
Max Hastings, Evening Standard
‘I devoured Patrick O’Brian’s twenty-volume masterpiece as if it had been so many tots of Jamaica grog.’
Christopher Hitchens
‘Written with most engaging enthusiasm that can’t fail to give pleasure to anybody who enjoys historical adventure flavoured with more than a dash of realism.’
The Sunday Times
‘One of the most brilliantly sustained pieces of historical fictional writing this century.’
James Teacher, Spectator
‘Patrick O’Brian brings depth to his sea-stories with outstanding dialogue, characterisation, humour and a golden thread of romance. You don’t have to love books about naval battles to become entranced.’
Katie Fforde
ISBN: 9780006512110
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 21mm
Weight: 240g
336 pages