I started reading this series back in the mid-ninties, and devoured the last four or five books as they came out over the last 7 years. Also available, (and very necessary for me anyway) is "A Sea of Words" which defines a lot of the common words, phrases, and terms used back in the early 1800s which are used throughout this series of books. Also published was a cook book which gave the recipies for all the food Jack and good Doctor ate. Each recipe was tested, including "millers" (rats),wevels, etc. with the exception of one recipe called "boiled shit" which the doctor was forced to consume while marooned on an atoll.
I am really looking forward to this movie. In my wildest dreams, all 20 in the series would be made into movies.