Patrick O'Brian, the late author of the immensely popular Aubrey-Maturin novels, zealously guarded the details of his past. Now Dean King - an expert on nautical literature and on O'Brian's novels - unveils the story of Richard Patrick Russ, a writer and intellectual who emerged from the Second World War as Patrick O'Brian, a persona created in his own imagination and later refined by decades of rumour and speculation. Drawing on interviews with relatives (including O'Brian's brother and son), friends and colleagues of his famously reclusive subject, King has fashioned a wealth of information into a dramatic and illuminating account of O'Brian's life and work.

'King gets under the skin of this subtle, complex man and offers a convincing account of the influences that shaped his life and work. A must for O'Brian fans' Simon Shaw, Mail on Sunday 'This is a truly remarkable book which uncovers the secrets of a professionally secretive man' -- John Bayley 'Dean King has done a magificent job here, proving himself an able sleuth, putting real flesh on this immensely gifted, complex - difficult, even - storyteller.' -- Jay Parini, author of John Steinbeck: a biography 'Mr King has painted a fascinating, compassionate, honest portrait of a complex and difficult man who was also a consummate writer' -- Wolcott Gibbs, Jr., Patrick O'Brian's first U.S. E ' A must for O'Brian fans' -- Simon Shaw, Mail on Sunday

Dean King is an author, journalist and an established authority on nautical literature and history and on Patrick O'Brian. He is the editor of the Heart of Oak Sea Classics series.