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Title: Horrid.
Review: I purchased this text as a companion to my growing collection of Patrick O'Brian books. I thought it would be nice to read up on the scientific advances that made sailing (a little) less random for the British Navy. I imagined an absorbing read with depth and clarity, like "Fermat's Enigma." Based on the reviews and O'Brian's statement (above) I think I wasn't setting my expectations too high.Instead, I found a book that was filled with flat characters, unsupportable sweeping statements, endless cliches, and generally a style so vapid that I couldn't even finish the book. I hope that someone revisits this subject sometime and writes a proper popular history that gives it the attention and treatment it deserves. I don't understand why O'Brian liked it as much as he did, and plan to forget his kind words about this book just as soon as I can.
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