I have read ALL of the P.O'Brian books in this series, a couple of times. But every time I come to this one I have to slow my reading down, so that I can make it last! It is that good. I love all of this series, but the interplay with Stephen , Diana, the War of 1812, and the usual Jack fun all theown into the mix just make me wish that I could read this series for the first time, all over again!