Reddit mentions of Master and Commander (Vol. Book 1) (Aubrey/Maturin Novels)

You want the W. W. Norton Company edition from 1990 onwards the cover looks like this got all mine from Barnes & Noble. Easy to find

Actually, that was a bit unkind. I remember what it was like to be a kid and dream big. By way of apology, I'd like to recommend some books to you:

https://www.amazon.com/Dove-Robin-L-Graham-ebook/dp/B0089LOFX0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1473462196&sr=1-1#nav-subnav

https://www.amazon.com/Sailing-Alone-Around-Joshua-Slocum-ebook/dp/B00CTOKB8G/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1473462104&sr=1-3

https://www.amazon.com/My-Old-Man-Sea-Father/dp/0060976969

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026772N8/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1#nav-subnav

https://www.amazon.com/Years-Before-Mast-Richard-Henry/dp/149224936X/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

https://www.amazon.com/Moby-Dick-Bantam-Classics-Herman-Melville/dp/0553213113

https://www.amazon.com/Master-Commander-Aubrey-Maturin-Novels-ebook/dp/B006C3Q6GG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1473462069&sr=1-1

I have a great suggestion - Patrick O'Brien's Master and Commander series. This is a beautifully written series chronicling the adventures of a British Navel Captain and a surgeon/intelligence agent during the Napoleonic wars. But really, it is about the deep friendship that develops between these two very different but equally admirable men.

This series has often been called among the best adventure series ever - and you will enjoy getting to know these two men as their careers advance (and, at times falls), as women and children come and go. These are guys you will look forward to spending time with and you will wish you had a friendship like theirs.

(by the way, the movie made from a mashup of a few of the books was ... meh...)

Aubrey/Martin in the Master and Commander series ignore the (mediocre) movie and read the books. All sorts of dynamics going on in the relationship.

Sarah Vowell writes some interesting and particular books on American History. I don't think it is on the lines of the swashbuckling adventure you mention above but it is quite fascinating and humorous. Latest being Lafayette in the Somewhat United States.

If it is historical fiction, political intrigue, & sea fairing adventure you seek, there is the Patrick O'Brian novels on the the British Navy during the the beginning of the 19th century. Master and Commander, Aubrey/Maturin Novels The movie Master and Commander (with Russell Crowe) took a stab at a bit of the story. I am presently on Book 10. It is a long series.

The Jack Aubrey/Stephen Maturin books by Patrick O'Brian. 20 books in all, plus one incomplete book (titled "21"). To me, O'Brian is better even than Shakespeare - I've never read anyone so good.

Here is the first one in the series.

The graphic novels

Set to Sea by drew weing

Baggywrinkles by lucy bellwood

Crogan's Vengeance by Chris Schweizer

Literature

Master and Commander by Patrick O' Brian (based on historical events)

Two years before the Mast by Henrey Dana (Embellished but trueish)

The Wreck of the Whaleship Essex by Owen Chase (True Story)

Endurance by Alfred Lansing (True Story)

The United States Navy Blue Jackets Manual by Thomas J. Cutler (useful for facts and lingo as it's made for teaching seamen the basics)

Under the Black Flag by David Cordingly (Historical info on Pirates)

Movies

Master and Commander (acurat for film)

Yellowbeard (comedy)

Cutthroat Island (Actiony)

Captains Courageous (Just a Film Classic)

Captain Blood (Buckle Swashing)

All links are to the Amazon.com Listings, but most of this should be available via resale or library for less.

Hope this helps.