
Colours Aloft
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Narrated by:
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Michael Jayston
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By:
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Alexander Kent
About this listen
Vice-Admiral Sir Richard Bolitho finds himself the new master of the Argonaute, a French flagship taken in battle. With the Peace of Amiens in ruins, he must leave the safety of Falmouth.
What lies ahead is the grim reality of war at close quarters - where Bolitho will be called upon to anticipate the overall intention of the French fleet. But the battle has also become a personal vendetta between himself and the French admiral who formerly sailed the Argonaute.
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October 1772, Portsmouth. Sixteen-year-old Richard Bolitho waits to join the Gorgon, ordered to sail to the west coast of Africa and to destroy those who challenge the King's Navy. For Bolitho, and for many of the crew, it is a severe and testing initiation into the game of seamanship.
-
-
This is *not* the book advertised.
- By Robert Bolin on 08-26-16
By: Alexander Kent
-
Mr Midshipman Hornblower
- By: C. S. Forester
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Shaking off this label, a shy and lonely 17-year-old, Horatio Hornblower, embarks on a memorable career in Nelson's navy on HMS Justinian. In action, adventure, and battle he is forged into one of the most formidable junior officers in the service.
-
-
First rate historical fiction
- By Jason on 04-30-17
By: C. S. Forester
-
Under Enemy Colors
- By: S. Thomas Russell
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 15 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the time of the French Revolution, one of Britain's most skillful naval officers, Charles Saunders Hayden, is a young lieutenant, the son of an English father and a French mother. His abilities and his loyalty to the king of England are beyond dispute, yet his career seems doomed by his "mixed" heritage and lack of political connections. Consequently, Hayden is assigned to an aging frigate, the Themis, under the command of Captain Josiah Hart, a man known as "Faint Hart" throughout the service.
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- By Blackmac on 08-07-08
-
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- Aubrey/Maturin Series, Book 1
- By: Patrick O'Brian
- Narrated by: Patrick Tull
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- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
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-
-
Choice of Narrators
- By Frank R. Adams on 04-23-10
By: Patrick O'Brian
-
Kydd
- Thomas Kydd, Book 1
- By: Julian Stockwin
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
1793 and Europe is ablaze with war. Thomas Paine Kydd, a young wig-maker from Guildford, is seized by the press gang to be a part of the crew of the 98-gun line-of-battle ship Duke William. The ship sails immediately and Kydd has to learn the harsh realities of shipboard life fast. Despite all that he goes through in danger of tempest and battle he comes to admire the skills and courage of the seamen - taking up the challenge himself to become a true sailor.
-
-
Intriguing storyline
- By Raymond W. Hill, Jr. on 11-07-14
By: Julian Stockwin
-
Brewer's Luck: Hornblower's Legacy
- By: James Keffer
- Narrated by: Nigel Peever
- Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After gaining valuable experience as an aide to Governor Lord Horatio Hornblower, William Brewer is rewarded with a posting as first lieutenant on the frigate HMS Defiant, bound for American waters. Early in their travels, it seems as though Brewer’s greatest challenge will be evading the wrath of a tyrannical captain who has taken an active dislike to him. But when a hurricane sweeps away the captain, the young lieutenant is forced to assume command of the damaged ship, and a crew suffering from low morale.
-
-
Lots of Action and Fun on the High Seas
- By Spooky Mike on 11-11-19
By: James Keffer
I invariably rave about them & the first class narration of Michael Jayston!
All I can say is, if you are interested in the sea warfare of this era, then you will be enthralled by this series.
Another top flight tale from Mr Kent!
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What made the experience of listening to Colours Aloft the most enjoyable?
The characters in the story whoWhat was one of the most memorable moments of Colours Aloft?
Several some funny and some emotionalHave you listened to any of Michael Jayston’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
Yes, and as always he did a great job on all of the characters, he is a true professionalIf you could take any character from Colours Aloft out to dinner, who would it be and why?
Richard B of course or maybe Admiral HoodAny additional comments?
Look forward to reading may more of this seriesAnother great naval story
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Another Near Run Victory For Admiral Bolitho,
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the series is missing many books
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Awesome
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Too inconsistent and horribly fragmented
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What is wrong with this book?
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Annoying changes to pronunciation of name
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Would you try another book from Alexander Kent and/or Michael Jayston?
I'm afraid not. I've enjoyed his Bolitho series but this one is quite boring, with long asides about Bolitho's nostalgia for his wife and his feelings for his officers and men, which is fine as a human being but isn't this supposed to be an adventure about fighting Napoleon on the high seas?What could Alexander Kent have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?
He could have focussed more on naval action.Did Michael Jayston do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?
Yes, he is a good narrator.What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?
Disappointment.Any additional comments?
I couldn't finish listening to the whole bookVery disappointing
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