I hadn't read any of Patrick O'Brian's novels before picking up a copy of his "21" at the library. It's his final unfinished novel -- actually only about three chapters -- and the book shows his handwritten first draft on each right-hand page, with the corresponding passage of his first revision (which he did on the typewriter) set in standard type on each facing left-hand page. Then there's an afterword describing the author's career, the long hard time he had finding acceptance and eventually substantial success.

Everyone knows, I suppose, that O'Brian's Jack Aubrey saga was the basis for Hollywood's "Master and Commander." Mudcatters should also be aware that a fictional shipwreck decribed in one of these books inspired one of Jed Marum's "historical" ballads. Can't recall the title, or which CD it's on, but he played it both times I caught his act in New Orleans this year, and it's great. (Jed's the only Mudcatter I've yet met in real life, by the way.)