[Possum]

BadAxe, agreed!

The Aubrey/Maturin novels are simply superb.

O'Brien can be howlingly funny, too. But you have to pay attention. It's not like a sitcom, where you have all those clues when to laugh. O'Brien throws his jokes at you totally and completely deadpan, with no clues at all. If you're not paying close attention, they sail right over your head.