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Under Enemy Colours
- Narrated by: Nick Boulton
- Length: 16 hrs and 11 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Action & Adventure
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A Battle Won
- By: Sean Thomas Russell
- Narrated by: Nick Boulton
- Length: 14 hrs and 47 mins
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-
Overall
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Performance
-
Story
Winter 1793. Master and Commander Charles Hayden’s orders are to return to the ill-fated frigate, HMS Themis. Placed in temporary command, he is to join the escort for the last convoy of the season - braving the wintry seas. Hayden's uncanny knack for attracting the attention of the French navy sees the Themis thrown back into action only hours out of port. Soon, Hayden's captaincy and military skill are stretched to their utmost....
-
-
Even better than Under Enemy Colours
- By catsatcastle on 02-11-10
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A Ship of War
- By: Sean Thomas Russell
- Narrated by: Nick Boulton
- Length: 14 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Charles Hayden sets off aboard the ill-fated HMS Themis with orders to destroy a French frigate and to gather intelligence from a royalist spy. On discovering French plans for an imminent invasion of England, Hayden must return to Portsmouth to give warning before it's too late. But the enemy has been lying in wait for him, and so begins a dangerous chase out into the Atlantic and into the clutches of a powerful French squadron…
-
-
A Ship of War
- By catsatcastle on 14-11-12
-
Until the Sea Shall Give Up Her Dead
- By: Sean Thomas Russell
- Narrated by: Daniel Philpott
- Length: 13 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Reunited with his crew aboard the frigate HMS Themis, Captain Charles Hayden is ordered by the Admiralty to the West Indies to carry war to the French among their own islands. Before he makes port in Barbados, the Themis intercepts a single boat adrift in the middle of the ocean - its sole occupants, two young Spanish noblemen. But not is all as it seems with Hayden’s unexpected guests.
-
-
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Overall
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Performance
-
Story
Master and Commander is the first of Patrick O’Brian’s now famous Aubrey-Maturin novels, regarded by many as the greatest series of historical novels ever written. It establishes the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey RN and Stephen Maturin, who becomes his secretive ship’s surgeon and an intelligence agent. It displays the qualities which have put O’Brian far ahead of any of his competitors.
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-
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- By John on 19-01-12
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could be better
- By john gardner on 04-09-20
Summary
When she takes to sea to hunt the enemy, Lieutenant Hayden is immediately caught between a tyrannical captain and a crew pushed to the verge of mutiny. Disaffection turns to violence, and Hayden is torn between honour and duty, as the magnificent Royal Navy engages the French in a centuries-old struggle for power...
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What listeners say about Under Enemy Colours
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
- Ben
- 14-06-09
Brilliant
This book for me had it all - drama, battles, intrigue, romance, comedy and nail biting suspense throughout. It focuses on a man who is split between England and France, and chooses his Father's native England over this Mothers homeland. Trying desperately to rise to Master and Commander he takes on a daring mission to be second in command to a captain who's reputation is nothing but glorious. He has to fight in all corners to keep himself alive but manages to pick up a number of allies as he goes along. You feel yourself feeling bitter and twisted with our hero as his luck often falls short and there is often a sense of injustice that reminds us of how hard it must have been to have not been from a rich and powerful family and to try and progress in the naval ranks.
The book itself is a true masterpiece - it doesn't focuss too much on 'geeky' Naval speak and although is discriptive the author doesn't feel the urge to show off throughout about how much they know. The characters are well definded and brilliant. The author grants us intelligence enough to not have to explain every action made or the rationale behind it and this really helps the book move very quickly. The reader of the audibook is someone I have found no better of - he was wonderful and very apt for this book.
For an American author the ending suprised me and I can only hope another book is coming as I simply can't get enough of it!
I loved this book and I can honestly say it is one of the best books I have ever read.
6 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Richard
- 28-05-10
Under Enemy Colours
Very good story and very well read,
3 people found this helpful
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Overall
- john
- 30-06-11
Under Enemy Colours
Excellent listen,this was my first audio book and i was more than happy with the experience.This book is very well read and thoroughly entertaining,would have no hesitation in recommending this audiobook to anyone.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall
- Robin B
- 07-06-12
Rivetting story - hard to put down
I really enjoyed this and my dog ended up having exceptionally long walks so that I could listen to this wonderful book - the exploits of Lt Charles Hayden RN with his tyrannical useless captain. I rate this as up with the best of this genre. I can't wait to download and read the next one.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall
- I
- 02-04-12
Excellent Historical Novel
Once I started listening I had trouble getting out of the car! spending unnecessary time on the drive , eager to know what happened. Thoroughly enjoyable. the story moved along at an excellent pace
1 person found this helpful
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Overall
- Simon mac
- 06-10-11
Damn your eyes Mr Christian!
not a bad listen to kill the commute..but formulaic and could have been read better..Cpt Hart just to bad to be real.
I'm spoilt by patrick O'Brien unfortunately..nothing comes close when you've read all his books..
1 person found this helpful
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Overall
- Francis Coles
- 18-05-09
Under Enemy Colours
Fast paced adventure story of a superior kind: Well researched historically, three dimensional characters and very well read too. Highly recommended. Can't wait for the follow up!...
1 person found this helpful
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Overall
- Mike
- 09-04-09
Under Enemy Colours
I am an addict to this type of historical novel, the great Patrick O'Brien, and others like Richard Woodman etc etc This is a really good book form this type of genre, from the hero's first steps onto his new ship your hooked, it has all the battles and below deck intrigue. A very well read book you forget the narrator and sale with them. finished the 14hr plus in 3 days... next instalment please
1 person found this helpful
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- Dougie675
- 14-03-15
Brilliant!!
Read this book a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, then purchased the audio version and Nick Boulton's fantastic narration adds a whole new dimension. If this genre is your thing you won't go wrong with this audio book.
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Overall
- w
- 23-02-13
Under Enemy Colours
Though not having been to sea as such,save the odd cruise or two,it was not long before i felt the cold biting winds,the calling of the Gulls hovering alongside the ship,instructions being called to the ships hands,and the ever rolling and pitching of the ship.After listening to this story,i feel that i could go aboard any vessel of that period ,and be in familiar surroundings.
The story is excellent ,but what adds to the enjoyment is the narrator,Nick Boulton.Each character has a face,a voice that one can easily bring to mind as the story unfolds.
His diction is perfect.
I would recommend this story to anyone.Its easy listening,most exciting and interesting.
W Granfield .
Warrington England.
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- John R. Nova Scotia
- 31-01-15
This novel that will leave you content and wanting
This was a singular addiction. The story draws you in, completely.
The verbal imagery is rich and complex with a story that is anything but formulaic.
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Overall

- Brodie
- 24-11-09
A different spin on the British Navy
First the reading was a delight with rich characterisation and there are few who can touch Nick Boulton in setting the tone of the times. When a voice combines with words in a way that delivers a sense of smell and taste, you know you are being transported and that is the joy of audio books.
If you like tales of the sea, if your heart quickens to the terminology that describes the goings on upon a naval ship of the line, if the smell of hemp and tar and salt takes you into a time and place, then you will not be dissapointed.
This book needs a followup like Hornblower so the adventure can continue. The ending did not promise a future read with any conviction but that in no way dilutes the tale.
So if you need prompting, 'let the Bos'n take the starter to you!'