THE FRIGATE SURPRISE: THE COMPLETE STORY OF THE SHIP MADE FAMOUS IN THE NOVELS OF PATRICK O'BRIAN **FIRST EDITION** by LAVERY, BRIAN & GEOFF HUNT - 2009

New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2009. 1st Edition . Hardcover. Very Good/Near Fine. 4to - over 9¾ - 12" tall. pp: 144. FIRST American edition. Bound in colour pictorial dust jacket over burgundy cloth boards. The full history of a famous frigate that served in both the French and British navies, a not uncommon occurrence. The ship was made famous when it was included in the Jack Aubrey naval adventures of Patrick O'Brian. The text is enhanced with drawings, detailed illustrations of the ship, and colour artwork. The appendices contain, a chronology, a crew list dated 1799, and some details of the ship. There is also a bibliography, glossary, and index. A very good copy with one bump on the base of the top board near the spine, and minor shelf wear. The jacket has light edge wear at the spine ends. The many full colour illustrations include several excellent examples of naval art.