>>56246959I've only read the chief source, The Far Side of the World, because of my interest in the movie. The book series starts during 1805 when the UK was at war with Napoleon, but this story takes place during the War of 1812 (most famous for the short British occupation of Washington DC, but ultimately inconclusive).
The antagonist is pretty much only the USS Norfolk, which does most of the things the French Acheron does in the movie. The movie does still give away quite a bit of the book, but my reading experience was more enhanced through interest than spoiled. It's a fine historical novel, with complex characters at its centre.
