Rating: 
Summary: Shockingly good -- but a little short
Review: O'Brian represents the pinnacle of historical fiction authors, and this work, as shocking as it was to me, certainly maintains O'Brian's reputation. I could only wish that it were longer.Another reviewer mentioned that "death" was the central theme of this work, which it is, and as such, this is not the most cheerful (at all) in the series. Indeed, the deaths of two integral characters is handled in such a way as to maximize the reader's response to their deaths. This is not manipulation; this is a master writer at something very near the top of his game. Highly recommended, but someone new to Aubrey/Maturin would benefit from his earlier works before tackling this one.
Rating:
Summary: Aubrey and Maturin ride(sail) again..........
Review: This book is up to the quality of the remainder of the series. It's a good rolicking adventure, if a bit contrived, considering Napolean's political condition at this point in time. Still, it's fun and has plenty of action.
Rating: 
Summary: Must of been ghost written - not up to par at all
Review: A most sorry piece of work. Having read the first 18 volumes, this one simply must of been ghost written. No character, minimal plot, no historical detail, no medical details, the putative "ghost" writer was most unsuccessful in capturing O'Brien's style. Or P O'Brien should quit while he is a legend.
Rating: 
Summary: A joy to return to Jack's and Stephen's world
Review: Let me preface all that follows; this review is for those of us who have travelled with Jack and Stephen for 18 novels. If you are thinking of starting with "The Hundred Days" don't. Start at the beginning. It is worth it. The quality of writing and crafting of a story is constantly excellent through out the series. I finished "The Yellow Admirable" with a sad heart, fearing there would be no more stories, hoping there would be two more books. My joy in learning of them was delightful. I downloaded the first chapter and read it hungerly, until I learnt of Dianna's death and my heart folded in two for a character I had adored and in some ways related to as a woman. I found myself concerned for Stephen, Sophie and Jack. I went out late that night and hunted down the book. I couldn't figure out why Dianna was killed, couldn't see the sense in it. But maybe it has something to do with how the sudden death of a beloved one is incomprehensible, like the author experienced with that of Mrs Mary O'Brian. I think "The Hundred Days" is Mr O'Brian's grieving novel. It is, as all his work, crafted in a way that raises your expectation of writing, it looks at life, as always,in a delicate and strong manner. But it read to me that my favorite author was in pain and was writing to heal and get the book over and done with. As a hungry reader I wanted a long and detailed book, like "The Post Captain", because I wanted to stay in the world created by this author. I found myself wanting to know how Sophie and the family were, I wanted to see Jack reach the official status of Admiral, of any rank and colour other than yellow. I wanted to see more of the relationship of Jack and Stephen. But this wasn't to be. I didn't understand the significance of the last few lines of the novel and am still pondering them. All this as a reader disappoints me. All this as someone who wants my favorite author to be happy saddens me as it shows me his sense of loss. Others are commenting on the lack of detail about Stephen's grieving. Well I think we have been honoured to witness how Mr O'Brian is dealing with his. We have all experienced loss for ourselves and can understand the understatement of Stephen's. I confess to being shocked by Bonden's departure. I re-read the passage several times to be sure I had understood it, there wasn't any elaboration which stood in stark contrast to the death's of other more minor charactors. I don't think it has to do with feelings of the era and attitude to death. Jack has cried in public for the loss of life during battle for men he has sailed with for only one voyage. Bonden has been with him for 20 years. Maybe this will be further explored in the next novel, I hope at least. I also hope the next novel is lengthy and detailed, we hear from Sophie and all at home, we see more of the friendship that has taught us about human nature, the dry wit of Stephen and the silly puns of Jack. "The Hundred Days" is an outstanding book to lose yourself in. It is also one that leaves the devoted reader hungering for more. It is also a book of contrast; in some regards I found it to be his finest, in others I found it wanting. Either way, I'm thankful it was written and I loved reading it. I just wish it hadn't finished so quickly.
Rating: 
Summary: This is not a "bad" book as some have said.
Review: I was kind of hesitant about this book judging from some of the blistering reviews I've seen about it. Upon reading it, I was pleasantly surprised. In my opinion, the book is not "shallow" as some have said. I really don't see much difference between this one and the rest. It was just too short. I enjoyed it very much and as usual, with Mr. O'Brian's works, was disappointed when it ended. I would love to see a book about Aubrey as a midshipman. If you like this series, I heartily recommend the "Sharpe's" series by Bernard Cornwall.
Rating:
Summary: Sometimes even the best strike out
Review: I eagerly awaited this latest of a great series and must confess to a slight disappointment. It reads as if O'brian has lost interest in the series, but has a dragon (and a mortgage payment) by the tail. Aubrey and Maturin also seem tired of the whole thing. Ironically, they are so much alive from previous novels, that even in this series dotage they seem like real people. Actors who have been in a TV series too long. Nevertheless, even this worst of the Aubrey/Maturin series is still head and shoulders above anything else in this genre. Jerry Schroeder Seattle, WA
Rating:
Summary: NOT UP TO PAR
Review: This book does not meet the standards set by the rest of the series. It appears to have been rushed to the point that we lose the character interface that makes the other books so good. Hopefully the next book will go back to the pattern he established with all the others.
Rating:
Summary: Not easy, but one of the best!
Review: No, "The Hundred Days" is not a rousing, blood-and-thunder sea tale. And, no, it is not a "feel good" book. Instead, it is an exceeding well-written examination of grief and loss. Death is the major theme, and Death is a central character, right from the opening pages. A good writer can readily depict sorrow and mourning so that a reader can identify a character's sense of loss, but a great writer such as O'Brian creates that sense of loss in the reader to directly experience the shock and disorientation. Throughout this novel we follow a character who has been crippled by loss, but is unwilling or unable to exhibit his deep grief to those around him or even to reveal it to himself. O'Brien paints a masterly protrait in somber tones, but his chosen style in this book is a challenge to some readers, because he shows the results of grief and numbness without wordy desciption or expansion. Obviously, some readers see that as a weakness. I see it as evidence of O'Brian's skill. I have read "The Hundred Days" twice and am still haunted by it. I would not suggest this book to someone who is not thoroughly familiar with the rest of O'Brien's Aubrey-Maturin novels, but for those who do love the earlier novels and who are willing to open themselves up to the experience created for them in this novel, I most strongly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as exciting as its predecessors.
Review: As a true O'Brian fan who devoured the first 18 books in this series, I can tell you #19 was a disappointment. I was bored most of the time and couldn't get involved in the story at all. O'Brian's writing seemed perfunctory at best, and the cavalier way in which he did away with both Diana Villiers and Barrett Bonden shocked me. I'm not giving away any major plot twists here, because there weren't any -- they just died. I'm disappointed in Mr. O'Brian but will read #20, hoping he will return to true form. If not, maybe he should quit while he's still sort of ahead, so those of us who love the series will reread it fondly and treasure it forever without it being tarnished.
Rating:
Summary: You want Hornblower? Re-read Hornblower.
Review: But don't judge this work of O'Brian's by his failure to pull the emotional strings that Forester did with such aplomb. The Hundred Days has less of the breathlessness of some of the other stories--e.g., the chase by the Dutch Waakzaamheid in the South latitudes. Less of the near mysticism of Maturin's climb over the thousand steps to the crater of the orangutans. Less of the nostalgia of the run-in with the Constitution and Aubrey's lock-up in Boston. And certainly less Corelli. But the Hundred Days has its own appeal in the way that these two complicated gentlemen--tired of two-faced French tyranny--deal with an absurd, waning struggle that they would much rather have left far behind. Taken aback by the loss of the rock solid coxswain and one of the grand heroines? Yes. Disappointed in the book as a result? Not at all. I believe that those of us who adore O'Brian's work generally--from Testimonies to the splendid biographies to this--enjoy it despite its lack of a formulaic plot line. The Hundred Days deserves its place with its 18 predecessors, and I look forward to reading them all again. For those who feel that this book is a hurtful parody or waste of paper--I recommend a return to Hornblower. The naval action is just fine and nobody important goes unmourned. I like those books every time I re-encouter them. But it's lighter fare.
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