Trying to resist a broadside...The HMS Leopard was a regular naval heavy frigate, not a "letter of marque" or a "privateer" or a "pirate ship." It's true that later in the series Capt. Aubrey does take command of the former frigate HMS Surprise as a "letter of marque" but that's not the
The Aubrey/Maturin series is one of the best nautical series written for getting the flavor of the Nepolianic War period. Yes, there's lots of talking and digressions, and some of the most dramatic action curiously takes place off stage. Addicts like myself read and reread the books, and look forward to no other life.