no one has mentioned Alexander Kent and his Bolitho series. Not to criticize any of the other authors or works, I would rank Kent slightly ahead of Forester, who is slightly ahead of O'Brian, IMHO. I found the Aubrey/Maturin series extremely readable and enjoyable, but so much repetition in the later books, so much retelling of backstory, totally unnecessary. The Alexander Kent novels give you a different surgeon on every vessel, many different types and various abilities, more believable characters, Maturin is almost a superhero as written, operating on himself with a mirror, etc., convenient coincidences, etc. I recommend the O'Brian books, and the Forester books and the Kent books to all readers. My doctor friends love the Maturin character, but I'm partial to Richard Bolitho, with the exception of one out of 27 or so books. Any other Bolitho series fans out there?