Life ashore may once again be the undoing of Jack Aubrey inI havent read novels [in the past ten years] except for all of the Patrick OBrian series. It was, unfortunately, like tripping on heroin. I started on those books and couldnt stop.Aubrey and Maturin are the most enjoyable literary companions since Holmes and Watson.Taken as a whole, the Aubrey/Maturin novels are by a long shot the best things of their kind, so much better than the competition that comparisons long ago ceased to be relevant: they are uniquely excellent. There are those already planning this afternoon's trip to the bookstore. Their only reaction is: Thank god, Patrick O'Brian is still writing. To you, I say, not a moment to lose. John Balzar,