Midshipman Bolitho cover art

Midshipman Bolitho

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Midshipman Bolitho

By: Alexander Kent
Narrated by: Michael Jayston
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About this listen

Richard Bolitho - Midshipman

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.

Midshipman Bolitho and the Avenger

December 1773, Falmouth. The young Bolitho looks forward to a family Christmas in Cornwall while the Gorgon is refitted. But Cornwall is the treacherous stamping ground of smugglers and wreckers. After the murder of a revenue officer, Bolitho is swept aboard his brother's cutter, Avenger, on a dangerous mission of hide-and-seek.

©1975 Alexander Kent (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Historical Fiction Fiction Superhero Africa

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Critic reviews

"One of our foremost writers of naval fiction...authentic, inspiring, well-characterised and, finally, moving." ( Sunday Times)
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If you’ve listened to Hornblower they feel like a nice short and sweet version of them, very enjoyable.

Short and sweet

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I read these back in the day……they are a good introduction to the series and the age of sale.

Good introduction

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Audiobook read by Michael Jayston.
Richard Bolitho, together with his Midshipman friend Dancer, are given leave for Christmas and head for the Bolitho family home in Cornwall. The discovery of a dead Excise Man and the arrival of Bolitho's older brother, Hugh, in his naval cutter Revenge, somewhat scuppers the festivities as Richard and Dancer are conscripted into the Revenge's crew to search for and apprehend a gang of wreckers and smugglers. Though this is told from Richard's point of view it's really his brother Hugh, hot-headed and tempestuous, who is the main mover and shaker in this story. Richard contributes the odd good idea and mostly does as he's told. Unlike the previous book, some of this adventure takes place on land, but the climax is another thrilling sea battle.
Michael Jayston is an excellent reader.

Midshipman Bolitho and the Avenger - Book 2

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excellent book and well told by the narrator Will
look forward to the next book in the series called band of brothers

Midshipman ballitho

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Each story was compelling and very exciting, going back to the 1070s. The language is good and the whole feel of each story takes me back to those times.

Two splendid navy tales

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The main thing that stood out in the story was the top mast! But seriously the whole story was enjoyable.

The top sail

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Michael made listening fun with his changing accents won't do another you can stick them

Grilling audio as good as self reading

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This wonderful writing is perfectly rendered by the inestimable Jayston. His traditional masculine baritone is perfect for this work.
These stories are precious to me and this production does them deserved justice.

Glorious traditional dit

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A good story and worth a listen, but does not hold a candle to the nautical novels of Patrick O’Brian.

Set in the 18th century, a good naval tale.

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An excellent story, well narrated. A good introduction to the Bolitho stories by Alexander Kent.

Most enjoyable

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