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

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 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. 

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

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.

Jack learns more about his new ship, as the crew and Lt. Dillion try to figure out their new Captain. There’s opera, bowdlerization, nautical innovation, dockyard corruption, and some of our favourite phrases packed into a very long day. Ch 3.

Jack’s first mission in command, and every day's a school day: we learn some nautical terms, we learn about Dillon's past, Stephen learns what cataleptic terror feels like, and we all learn about goat’s milk and the very definition of a Lubber's Hole. Ch 3.

The crew's first gunnery practice turns into an unexpected first taste of action for the crew, and a first taste of duty for her new surgeon. Jack meets an old friend and her new husband - an Admiral, no less. Ch 4.

The log promises the Sophie’s first prize, but first there’s an apocalyptic blow, a brush with the plague, scatological humor, labor and delivery amongst gunpowder, and a chance for Stephen Maturin and James Dillon to get to know one another better, maybe. Ch 5.

Stephen ponders on the effect of ageing and authority; we get an excellent example of 'Jack ashore' at Molly Harte’s rout; a chilling look into human nature, superstition and prejudice; and a fishy tale. We talk about the Irish rebellion of 1798 with our special guest Paddy Cullivan.  Ch 6.

The cruise continues, gunnery improves, there’s action ahead, a changing relationship between Jack and Dillon, a problem with Stephen’s asp and fireworks both real and relational. And we haven’t seen the end of the United Irishmen - but - where’s Stephen? Ch 7.