I'm a big fan of Patrick O'Brian's seafaring Aubrey-Maturin novels—great stories, great writing. And you might think having devoured the lot I'd want to hurry and read the notes and half-text of the 21st in the series, found in his papers after his death and due to be published soon. But after reading about the manuscript and his condition when he wrote it, I don't think I'm going to rush to do that.
Recent Bluessky Posts- There was a student note in the Harvard Law review a few years ago which proposed chopping up the District of Columbia up into a very large number of states. Actually legally feasible compared to some other things people suggest. August 1, 2026 Michael Froomkin
- I read that note. It's clever but the solution to a terrible small-d democratic deficit is not to make it much worse, Cf. papers.ssrn.com/abstract=379... August 1, 2026 Michael Froomkin
- More states with tiny populations is not the way. And PR is politically complex, not a solid D state at all. August 1, 2026 Michael Froomkin
- Will anyone ask the Governor if he thinks this merits a preemptive pardon? July 31, 2026 Michael Froomkin
- For our mega-survey on populist attitudes, we asked whether people would prefer a more multi-party system or a two-party system. The former blew the latter out of the water. Asked about specific reforms to get there, people are less sure. Also, Trump populists are the most fond of the status quo. July 31, 2026 Andy Craig
I think even Blue at the Mizzen is not up to the standards of the earlier books. To me it seems rushed, as if he were trying to jam in all the points of his outline. before it’s too late. I agree that I wouldn’t be eager to read a partially-finished fragment.