Preview
  • The Custom of the Army

  • An Outlander Novella
  • By: Diana Gabaldon
  • Narrated by: Jeff Woodman
  • Length: 2 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,262 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

The Custom of the Army

By: Diana Gabaldon
Narrated by: Jeff Woodman
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $9.45

Buy for $9.45

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

London, 1759. After a high-society electric-eel party leads to a duel that ends badly, Lord John Grey feels the need to lie low for a while. Conveniently, before starting his new commission in His Majesty’s army, Lord John receives an urgent summons. An old friend from the military, Charlie Carruthers, is facing court-martial in Canada, and has called upon Lord John to serve as his character witness.

Grey voyages to the New World - a land rife with savages (many of them on his own side) and cleft by war - where he soon finds that he must defend not only his friend’s life but his own.

This novella also appears in the collection Warriors, where it is narrated by Patrick Lawlor.
©2010 Diana Gabaldon (P)2012 Recorded Books
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Featured Article: So Many Branches—The Outlander Characters Family Tree


Wondering who Jamie's father is or how the Clan MacKenzie fit into other character arcs? We’ve pulled together an Outlander Family Tree to offer you an overview of several of the main Outlander characters and their relatives. There’s also a who's who of supporting characters of importance, and a description of the main clans at the end. Heads up: If you haven't yet listened to the books or seen the show, this post might contain spoilers.

What listeners say about The Custom of the Army

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    820
  • 4 Stars
    288
  • 3 Stars
    123
  • 2 Stars
    18
  • 1 Stars
    13
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    836
  • 4 Stars
    219
  • 3 Stars
    69
  • 2 Stars
    14
  • 1 Stars
    7
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    746
  • 4 Stars
    251
  • 3 Stars
    120
  • 2 Stars
    20
  • 1 Stars
    9

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

wonderful story

This fills in a lot of blank spots from the regular series. How John Cinnamon came into existence.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Love this series!

The smaller works give good background and fills out the larger (insanely larger : ) story. When you really get addicted to this series- and you will- you don't want to leave this world so these works help you hold on a little longer. Say no to reality and stay in the prolific, phenomenal mind of Gabaldon!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Good but short

The story tied up a few loose ends in the Lord John series. Definitely not the direction I expected the story to go.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Fills in Several Blanks

The first 15 minutes alone of this short novella are worth reading. Gabaldon's ability to start her stories with a bang is one of her greatest skills. The beginning to this story rivals the first 15 minutes of The Scottish Prisoner.

Jeff Woodman has become the voice of Lord John to me. So much so that this is the single character in the Outlander series that I wish someone other than Davina Porter would narrate. And since I think the Porter and Outlander combination is pretty close to perfection, that is saying a lot.

A lot happens in a very short period of time in this piece. And by the time it is finished, a few more questions are answered and blanks are filled in about the Lord John character, his history and how he became the man he is in the Outlander series. I highly recommend it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story with noble characters

Another wonderful Lord John story. The more I listen the more I appreciate Diana Gabaldon's mastery of the written word and the humanity inside all her characters. Most especially the Gray famiy. It may be short, especially for Ms Gabaldon but the story is fully formed and gives a little more insight into just what Lord John was up to while Jamie was otherwise engaged at Hellwater. Looking forward to the next story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Lord John

Really enjoy the Lord John series, which I have managed to read/listen to not in order but that seems to be ok. Lord John himself is a fun, intelligent, complex character. This novella (?) is complete in its story but I do wish it was longer, just because I find it so entertaining and interesting with characters, British society, intermingled silliness and historical setting.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Superb storytelling

Diana is simply perfection, she’s obviously brilliant!!! I can barely construct a sentence yet Diana writes masterpieces!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Lord Grey does not disappoint

This is another good story about Lord John Grey. The author weaves in details about the period that makes it very interesting. The narration is outstanding.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent Interpretation

Would you listen to The Custom of the Army again? Why?

I would listen again because the story comes alive with this narration. This is a long series and as time goes by I want to revisit old friends and be reminded of what I've forgotten.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Custom of the Army?

John's confusion after the duel. It was very well done.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Woodman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not yet, but I will

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Lt. Col. John Grey travels to 18th century Canada to come to the aid of his former lover and comrade in arms.

Any additional comments?

This is my first listen of a Lord John book and I just love it. Jeff Woodman is excellent; it's as if he "knows" Lord John. I'm truly enjoying it. Jeff did a particularly good reading of the duel scene, when John was confused and didn't know quite what was happening. Jeff was also very comfortable during the scene between Hal and John when Hal visits with his baby daughter. The sibling intimacy and warmth each man felt while in one another's presence coupled with the English reserve (not easy to do), while discussing a crisis came across perfectly, as did the humor.

The voices are so distinct you forget it's just one man narrating. Of course, that's the point and well done.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

Diana fighting is never predictable and always bring it! Wonderful wordsmith , such a rare and pleasant gift!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful