By the way, O'Brian fans will be interested in a couple of articles in the current (December 2003) issue of Smithsonian magazine. One, titled "The Real 'Sea Wolf'," is about Thomas Cochrane, on whose remarkable naval career and exploits O'Brian based the character of Jack Aubrey. Cochrane captained a smallish vessel called "Speedy," comparable to Aubrey's "Surprise." Cochrane had many sea victories, but got into trouble on land. Sound familiar?

The other article is about O'Brian's life, which, it turns out, was not quite what he led people to believe.

Interesting stuff.