Preview
  • The Oceans and the Stars

  • A Sea Story, A War Story, A Love Story; The Seven Battles and Mutiny of Athena, Patrol Coastal Ship 15
  • By: Mark Helprin
  • Narrated by: Traber Burns
  • Length: 21 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (201 ratings)

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The Oceans and the Stars

By: Mark Helprin
Narrated by: Traber Burns
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Publisher's summary

Mark Helprin, New York Times bestselling author of Winter’s Tale and A Soldier of the Great War, returns with a fast-paced, beautifully written novel about the majesty of the sea; a life dedicated to duty, honor, and country; and the gift of falling in love.

A Navy captain near the end of a decorated career, Stephen Rensselaer is disciplined, intelligent, and determined always to do what’s right. In defending the development of a new variant of warship, he makes an enemy of the president of the United States, who assigns him to command the doomed line’s only prototype­—Athena, Patrol Coastal 15­­—with the intent to humiliate a man who should have been an admiral.

Rather than resign, Rensselaer takes the new assignment in stride, and while supervising Athena’s fitting out in New Orleans, encounters a brilliant lawyer, Katy Farrar, with whom he falls in last-chance love. Soon thereafter, he is deployed on a mission that subjects his integrity, morality, and skill to the ultimate test and which ensures that Athena will live forever in the annals of the Navy.

As in the Odyssey, Katy is the force that keeps him alive and the beacon that lights the way home through seven battles, mutiny, and court martial.

In classic literary form, an enthralling new novel that extolls the virtues of living by the laws of conscience, decency, and sacrifice, The Oceans and the Stars is nothing short of a masterpiece.

©2023 Mark Helprin. Published in 2023 by The Overlook Press, an imprint of ABRAMS, New York. All rights reserved. (P)2023 Blackstone Publishing
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What listeners say about The Oceans and the Stars

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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Excellent writing

Nothing at all all all all all all all all all all the way to you guys and you know that you

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

fearless and beautiful

I devoured Mark Helprin's new novel, which you ABSOLUTELY MUST READ. Anyone who loves America and loves inspired writing and enduring values should not miss it!

If you are not offended by notions like beauty, honor and virtue, you will find this book courageous and fulfilling.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exciting and satisfying

My first experience with Halpern, I will definitely look into all his work.
The detail was there, but not too much. The writing descriptive and satisfying, the character development exactly as I like it, and the presentation excellent. 5 stars in my world.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Spellbinding

Not since Winds of War have I been so entranced—a lose yourself for a weekend immersion that both The NYT’s and Economists’ book mavens somehow missed.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very good story

A bit too much ancillary verbiage for me. Loved the story line, less detail on other stuff

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent story

Fabulous story based upon vast knowledge of history and Naval warfare.
Beautifully read!
An excellent book for both men and women.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I have no words…

I have no words to describe the beauty of this at once contemporary yet classic tale of sea, war and love. Just read/listen to it and you will see/hear. Yes, there are some brutal episodes, such as cannot be avoided in a military story. However the valor, decency, and soul of the main character in particular restored my belief that such honorable and truly lovable men do exist!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story. Excellent audiobook.

Was excellent start to finish. Maybe as good as A Soldier of the Great War if not better. Loved it. Loved the audio. Will wait a few months and read it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Book / Wonderful Story

What a great book-could not put it down - stop listening. I love the moral compass of Mark Helprin!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great yarn

I most liked Rensselaer’s attitude about things: his courage, integrity and ability to innovate and improvise. He was the true embodiment of a leader.

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