Listen free for 30 days
-
Midshipman Bolitho
- Narrated by: Michael Jayston
- Series: Richard Bolitho, Book 1
- Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction
People who bought this also bought...
-
Under Enemy Colours
- By: Sean Thomas Russell
- Narrated by: Nick Boulton
- Length: 16 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the streets of Paris are overrun with revolutionary fervour, England prepares for the inevitable war with France. Lieutenant Charles Hayden is a man of undeniable ability. The son of an Englishman, his allegiance to the English Crown is beyond dispute. But, with a French mother, and without any influence in the Admiralty, he is seemingly overlooked for his first commission as Master and Commander. Instead, he is posted to an ageing frigate, the Themis.
-
-
Brilliant
- By Ben on 14-06-09
-
Ramage
- By: Dudley Pope
- Narrated by: Steven Crossley
- Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a daring foray, under the very nose of the French Mediterranean fleet, Lieutenant Lord Nicholas Ramage is to sail his tiny cutter close in to the Italian shore and rescue a party of stranded aristocrats from Napoleon's fast-advancing army.
-
-
could be better
- By john gardner on 04-09-20
-
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.
-
-
Absolutely superb!
- By Ben on 13-01-17
-
Winged Escort
- By: Douglas Reeman
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the Second World War progresses, the destruction of Allied shipping mounts. Fighter pilot Tim Rowan is posted to an escort carrier to help guard the precious convoys. His adventures take him first to the Arctic and then the Indian Ocean.
-
-
Fantastic Listen.
- By Steve on 20-12-09
-
H.M.S. Saracen
- By: Douglas Reeman
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Malta 1941. To most people H.M.S. Saracen is just an ugly, obsolete ship with an equally ugly recent history: her last commander is due for court-martial after shelling the troops he was sent to protect. But to Captain Richard Chesnaye she brings back memories - memories of the First World War when he and the old monitor went through the Gallipoli campaign together. It seems that captain and ship are both past their best. But as the war enters a new phase Chesnaye senses the possibility of a fresh, significant role - for him and the Saracen.
-
-
Ripping stuff
- By Ceri on 17-10-12
-
Battlecruiser
- By: Douglas Reeman
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Captain Guy Sherbrooke joins HMS Reliant in 1943, he knows he may be her last Captain. Sister battleships have been destroyed, and Sherbrooke cannot alter the bitter truth that there will be no half measures for HMS Reliant.
-
-
Not one of his best story plodded a bit.
- By Robert Turner on 13-01-18
-
Under Enemy Colours
- By: Sean Thomas Russell
- Narrated by: Nick Boulton
- Length: 16 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the streets of Paris are overrun with revolutionary fervour, England prepares for the inevitable war with France. Lieutenant Charles Hayden is a man of undeniable ability. The son of an Englishman, his allegiance to the English Crown is beyond dispute. But, with a French mother, and without any influence in the Admiralty, he is seemingly overlooked for his first commission as Master and Commander. Instead, he is posted to an ageing frigate, the Themis.
-
-
Brilliant
- By Ben on 14-06-09
-
Ramage
- By: Dudley Pope
- Narrated by: Steven Crossley
- Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a daring foray, under the very nose of the French Mediterranean fleet, Lieutenant Lord Nicholas Ramage is to sail his tiny cutter close in to the Italian shore and rescue a party of stranded aristocrats from Napoleon's fast-advancing army.
-
-
could be better
- By john gardner on 04-09-20
-
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.
-
-
Absolutely superb!
- By Ben on 13-01-17
-
Winged Escort
- By: Douglas Reeman
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the Second World War progresses, the destruction of Allied shipping mounts. Fighter pilot Tim Rowan is posted to an escort carrier to help guard the precious convoys. His adventures take him first to the Arctic and then the Indian Ocean.
-
-
Fantastic Listen.
- By Steve on 20-12-09
-
H.M.S. Saracen
- By: Douglas Reeman
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Malta 1941. To most people H.M.S. Saracen is just an ugly, obsolete ship with an equally ugly recent history: her last commander is due for court-martial after shelling the troops he was sent to protect. But to Captain Richard Chesnaye she brings back memories - memories of the First World War when he and the old monitor went through the Gallipoli campaign together. It seems that captain and ship are both past their best. But as the war enters a new phase Chesnaye senses the possibility of a fresh, significant role - for him and the Saracen.
-
-
Ripping stuff
- By Ceri on 17-10-12
-
Battlecruiser
- By: Douglas Reeman
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Captain Guy Sherbrooke joins HMS Reliant in 1943, he knows he may be her last Captain. Sister battleships have been destroyed, and Sherbrooke cannot alter the bitter truth that there will be no half measures for HMS Reliant.
-
-
Not one of his best story plodded a bit.
- By Robert Turner on 13-01-18
-
Brewer's Revenge
- By: James Keffer
- Narrated by: Nigel Peever
- Length: 11 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Admiral Horatio Hornblower has given Commander William Brewer captaincy of the captured pirate sloop El Dorado. Now under sail as the HMS Revenge, its new name suits Brewer's frame of mind perfectly. He lost many of his best men in the engagement that seized the ship, and his new orders are to hunt down the pirates who have been ravaging the trade routes of the Caribbean sea. But Brewer will face more than one challenge before he can confront the pirate known as El Diabolito.
-
-
Absolutely Fantastic
- By Daddy Bear on 11-04-19
-
The Destroyers
- By: Douglas Reeman
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the author of The First to Land, a novel set during World War II. They called them the Scrapyard Flotilla. After a quarter of a century of service, the eight destroyers had seen all kinds of action. Now they were to be used in raids to open the way for the invasion of Occupied Europe.
-
-
another Mans book
- By alexander on 10-03-16
-
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.
-
-
Outstanding
- By Daddy Bear on 23-09-19
-
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.
-
-
The Launch of a Top-Notch Series
- By Simon on 05-10-15
-
To Risks Unknown
- By: Douglas Reeman
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 12 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The year: 1943. Now there was to be no more retreat for Britain and her Allies. At last the war was to be carried into enemy territory. And from captured bases and makeshift harbours in North Africa, the Royal Navy's Special Force was to be the probe and the spearhead of the advance. To this unorthodox war came the corvette H. M. S. Thistle and her commanding officer, John Crispin.
-
-
for armchair warriors
- By alexander on 18-07-16
-
The Volunteers
- By: Douglas Reeman
- Narrated by: David Rintoul
- Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
They were the men and women of the Royal Navy's Special Operations units. Carrying out lightning raids on hostile coasts, they became a navy within a navy - each handpicked for their individual skills, and all of them courageous. Against the mighty backdrop of World War II they performed their small but deadly operations - living often beyond hope, sometimes beyond mercy. This is the dramatic story of a handful of such people. The Volunteers.
-
-
Honestly disappointing
- By J. Wexler on 11-11-20
Summary
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.
Critic reviews
More from the same
What listeners say about Midshipman Bolitho
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jamie
- 28-11-18
chapters all messed up
a very bad recording with miss labelled chapters. wouldn't recommend anyone buying this in it's current format
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Matt Humphries
- 06-03-18
Chapters out of order.
Pity that the chapters are all out of order, skipping about. It could have been good apart from that. have returned it until they fix it.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Karl
- 19-12-16
missing band of brothers
I enjoyed the first two books but with dismay found that book 3 of the omnibus is missing.
have returned this now because this was an incomplete recording
Audible ensure you provide the complete offering correctly next time
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- RJM
- 04-04-18
this is a poor recording
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
yes because I wanted the stroy
Any additional comments?
the recording stutters in places and 3 time played the wrong chapter
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mr. Anthony D. Bateman
- 06-01-21
average
a jolly yarn but not a patch on Patrick O'brien or c.s.forster and the narrator could cure insomnia
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kilrymont
- 01-04-21
faulty publication
The material is ok,the narrator is very good, but the audio progression goes well awry with duplicated material in chapter 11 onwards. Which is attended by chapter numbers restarting with ch 11 being called chapter 1. which pattern continues with overlap. its as though this was two books stitched faultily together. very poor indeed for an audio book to be passed by the publisher in this broken state.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- MW13
- 31-03-21
ok but confused chapter order in the download
reasonable story spoiled by the mixed up recording which means the chapters are out of order and confused.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- David Holdsworth
- 21-03-21
Glorious traditional dit
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.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Caroline Cameron
- 15-03-21
absolutely brilliant. top marks
great reader, great story, I am looking for the next books in the series. thank you audible
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- #earlylearning🤓📚
- 14-01-21
Doesn't compete
This story even within itself isn't complete, so it appears messy and jumps around a lot.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Robert Bolin
- 26-08-16
This is *not* the book advertised.
They publishers information says all three of the novellas of Bolitho's early career as a Midshipman are included. They are *not*. Band of Brothers is not in this audiobook. And two chapters of Bolitho and the Avenger repeat so. Otherwise the narration is excellent and what is there is quite enjoyable. But we will never get to hear the details of the events leading up to Bolitho's appointment to Lieutenant.
21 people found this helpful
-
Overall

- Deborah Seitz
- 06-03-16
Midshipman Bolitho
This is a good story. There was only one problem, somewhere around chapter 12 the narration began to repeat and reread about 4 chapters. The writer did his research. He was very specific about the workings of a ship of the times. However, I found the names of the characters made it difficult to follow the story and thus interfered with the flow. There were new characters introduced later but there was not enough time spent on them and who they were for me to get invested in there purpose. All in all it was a nice short story.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Christopher Welton
- 03-08-20
Missing Chpaters...
The story and narration were as good as expected, but as others mentioned the book was not editing correctly and begins repeating chapters about 3/4 through.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Happy Zorro
- 07-07-18
Unexpected Pleasure
I found this to be my surprise favorite of this series. I found the narrator told the story in such a way that his presence was forgotten. I hit rewind and went through the last two chapters for a second pass. Please powers above, this story begs to be used for a movie.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Gvido
- 07-05-18
Adventure!!!
The English navy in the late 18th century - this is the beginning of tge Bolitho adventures. Starting as a midshipman this audio book describes two of first adventures (there should have been three in book 1, but oddly the third tale is not here, nor in audio book 2). The tales are full of salt sea, tar and gunpowder, as they should be.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jonathan Fogarty
- 12-08-17
Great story
Loved it. Great narrative. Keeps you wanting to listen to the whole thing at once
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- flght505
- 19-09-16
good beginning
i have read the entire botiho series and listend to it all as well. the way Michael jayston reads the books he brings it alive and makes you feel like your on the poop deck with Richard bolitho.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Michael W R Dugan
- 19-11-20
No High hopes. But boy! Wow good!!
the two sons of Captain James by lyto home for Christmas. Who'd have thought it would make such a great story!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Johnny
- 21-03-20
very enjoyable
I enjoyed the locales that the story takes place in, Cornwall and Africas west coast. I feel that the proper amount of attention was paid to rope&rigging or sailing lingo. sometimes I get tied up by all the different terms. I thought the narrator could have used a bit more variation between the characters but it was a very strong performance overall.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Special K -AZ
- 25-11-19
the start on another great sea adventure
I am looking forward to many hour of rolling SaaS and cannon fire as I start another series of sea adventures