Play Audiobook Sample
A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.10) - 198 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
"I share the country's admiration for the bravery of Captain Phillips and his selfless concern for his crew. His courage is a model for all Americans." —President Barack Obama
It was just another day on the job for fifty-three-year-old Richard Phillips, captain of the Maersk Alabama, a United States–flagged cargo ship that was carrying, among other things, food and agricultural materials for the World Food Program. That all changed when armed Somali pirates boarded the ship. The pirates didn't expect the crew to fight back, nor did they expect Captain Phillips to offer himself as a hostage in exchange for the safety of his crew. Thus began the tense five-day standoff, which ended in a daring high-seas rescue when U.S. Navy SEALs opened fire and picked off three of the captors.
"It never ends like this," Captain Phillips said.
And he's right.
A story of adventure and courage, A Captain's Duty provides the intimate details of this high-seas hostage-taking—the unbearable heat, the death threats, the mock executions, and the escape attempt. When the pirates boarded his ship, Captain Phillips put his experience into action, doing everything he could to safeguard his crew. And when he was held captive by the pirates, he marshaled all his resources to ensure his own survival, withstanding intense physical hardship and an escalating battle of wills with the pirates. This was it: the moment where training meets instinct and where character is everything. Richard Phillips was ready.
Download and start listening now!
"I was riveted to Captain Phillips story as it was unfolding and his book was just as riveting. I pickd up the book and was halfway through the book and the night before I put it down to go to sleep. His courage, stamina, and leadership are amazing and Captain Phillips shows how those characteristics with a will to win can do. Captain Phillips and his family have my respect,and admiration. This book is recommended for anyone interested in leadership and anyone who has a love of the sea."
— Matt (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
Phillips's story is not just riveting and timely, but also an informative, heartening look at...the Merchant Marines.
— Publishers Weekly Starred Review -
“Phillips’ story is not just riveting and timely, but also an informative, heartening look at…the Merchant Marines.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“One closes the book with an overpowering sense that this time, for once, the good guys won.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“Former broadcast journalist George Wilson provides an authoritative, dramatic, and, at times, appropriately humorous tone to the story of the captain and crew as they face off against cutthroat Somali pirates. Wilson’s precise delivery is true to the author’s style and easily holds the listener’s attention.”
— AudioFile
Awards
-
A New York Times bestseller
A Captain's Duty Listener Reviews
-
" Definitely a spellbinding story (with a few laughs) told by Captain Richard Phillips who was held hostage by pirates. I would like to note that 'colorful language' does nothing to enhance the story. "
— J., 2/14/2014 -
" Pretty cool book. Easy read and very entertaining story about the Merchant Mariner from Vermont held hostage by Somali Pirates. Little disappointed they did not get into more detail about how the snipers got into position to kill the pirates but all in all not too bad. "
— Josh, 2/11/2014 -
" I really liked this book because it was very interesting and a book to keep you on the edge of your seat. I also thought that how the other tells about something that happens in the future of the book and it becomes very intense at the end of the book. It is a book i wouldn't read it again mostly because it wasn't a book that you want to read again and again. But it is one of the better books I've read. "
— Zach, 2/1/2014 -
" A harrowing retelling of Captain Phillips' experience as a merchant marine, particularly during the period when his ship was captured by Somali pirates and he was taken hostage. The story has enough inherent drama that the authors didn't have to punch it up any, so it's smoothly paced without being forced. A good adventure that could have ended tragically. "
— Aspen, 1/31/2014 -
" Love sea stories! Fascinating true story of sea trade in the modern world "
— Mel, 1/30/2014 -
" What a courageous man. "
— Jilane, 1/18/2014 -
" Inspiring story. He's not the best writer but the story was fascinating. Not surprised that Sony Pictures is making a film about it starring Tom Hanks. "
— Michael, 12/5/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this. He's a no-nonsense kind of guy, what Vermont has a lot of. An ordinary person living through an extraordinary situation often makes a good story. In this case it does. Very glad for Captain Phillips and his entire family that it worked out as well as it did. "
— Marna, 12/4/2013 -
" I remember the news story when this happened. At the time,it seemed like something so out of reality, but the book is written by the Captain of the cargo ship hijacked by Somali pirates. Very interesting as he talks about his reasons for doing as he did and good and bad decisions he made. "
— Susan, 11/7/2013 -
" This was an easy read, which kept me interested in the hijacking. I would have liked to have read more about the actual rescue mission by the SEALS. "
— Blue, 11/3/2013 -
" I listened to the audio book. The narrator was great! The book was only so so and it took a long time to actually get to the meat of the story. It would not have been much of a book if Captain Phillips had not filled it with his life history as a merchant mariner. "
— Chris, 11/2/2013 -
" Thanks for the recommendation William. This first hand account of piracy was interesting. I enjoyed it. "
— Marcie, 10/23/2013 -
" For such an exciting (harrowing) event, the book is actually a bit dull. Not very well written and lots of unanswered questions. "
— Marvelle, 9/13/2013 -
" The life and death drama of Captain Richard Phillips ordeal while being held captive by Somalia's pirates is a story of survival and also the love of God and family that helped him get thru it. Loved the message that the story held for the reader. "
— Linda, 7/28/2013 -
" While I did not enjoy all the foul language, I understand that this is a biography, and reflects reality. I did enjoy the story, and was very drawn into it. What a varied life this sea captain ahs lived, and what a miracle that he lived through his capture by pirates! "
— Heather, 8/19/2012 -
" His story as a captain of a merchant ship captured by Somali pirates, and later rescue after dangerous situation as hostage. "
— Yvonne, 6/24/2012 -
" The captain of the Maersk Alabama provides the full story of what happened when his ship was taken over by pirates. Great story. "
— Heather, 10/17/2011 -
" Captain Phillips tells a harrowing tale of danger on the high seas. Strength of character, courage, and sheer will help him to beat the odds and survive a hostage situation. The Navy SEALs and President Obama also played critical roles in tne rescue. "
— Evan, 8/5/2011 -
" I learned about the merchant marines and their role in WWII. Very interesting about the life of the piriates and that it is ongoing. "
— Shauna, 8/4/2011 -
" While I did not enjoy all the foul language, I understand that this is a biography, and reflects reality. I did enjoy the story, and was very drawn into it. What a varied life this sea captain ahs lived, and what a miracle that he lived through his capture by pirates! "
— Heather, 4/15/2011 -
" I remember the news story when this happened. At the time,it seemed like something so out of reality, but the book is written by the Captain of the cargo ship hijacked by Somali pirates. Very interesting as he talks about his reasons for doing as he did and good and bad decisions he made. "
— Susan, 4/7/2011 -
" Love sea stories! Fascinating true story of sea trade in the modern world "
— Mel, 3/11/2011 -
" I was surprised that I liked it. It was straight forward as to what happened, even the mistakes made. Kudos to the author for giving credit where credit is due! "
— Stefanie, 2/16/2011 -
" For such an exciting (harrowing) event, the book is actually a bit dull. Not very well written and lots of unanswered questions. "
— Marvelle, 2/4/2011 -
" This book is well written and gripping. I feel as if I am there, on board with Captain Phillips, facing the Somali pirates. <br/> <br/>Who'd have thought modern pirates exist today? These guys aren't Captain Jack Sparrow! "
— JoAnn, 1/23/2011 -
" Pretty cool book. Easy read and very entertaining story about the Merchant Mariner from Vermont held hostage by Somali Pirates. Little disappointed they did not get into more detail about how the snipers got into position to kill the pirates but all in all not too bad. "
— Josh, 8/31/2010 -
" This memoir of Richard Phillips' terrifying capture by Somali pirates in 2009 in the Gulf of Aden is an interesting story, even though it isn't particularly well written. Despite this, I'm glad to have read it as it was a learning experience. "
— Suz, 7/6/2010 -
" This is the story of the ship captain taken hostage by Somali pirates. It is nonfiction, so the intensity of the situation resonates with the reader. "
— Geneal, 7/6/2010 -
" Captain Phillips tells a harrowing tale of danger on the high seas. Strength of character, courage, and sheer will help him to beat the odds and survive a hostage situation. The Navy SEALs and President Obama also played critical roles in tne rescue. "
— Evan, 6/27/2010 -
" Very interesting story, wow, and very very educational. Taught me a lot about the merchant marines and foreign collaboration but there was way to much cussing (to be expected from a sailor, but it still bugged!!) and was written okay. I was just too curious not to pick it up (-: "
— Mary, 6/22/2010
About the Authors
Richard Phillips graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1979 and qualified as an Army Ranger, serving as an officer in the US Army. He earned a master’s degree in physics from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1989, completed his thesis work at Los Alamos National Laboratory, then worked as a research associate at Lawrence Livermore. He lives with his wife, Carol, in Phoenix, where he writes science fiction thrillers.
Stephan Talty is the award-winning author of Agent Garbo, Empire of Blue Water, and other best-selling works of narrative nonfiction. His books have been made into two films, the Oscar-winning Captain Phillips and Only the Brave. He is also the author of two psychological thrillers, including the New York Times bestseller Black Irish. He has written for the New York Times Magazine, GQ, and many other publications.
About George K. Wilson
George K. Wilson is a working actor in stage, film, television, and commercials with almost one hundred audiobook narrations to his credit. He began in broadcast journalism with American Forces Radio and Television and is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He had a lead role in the cult film classic Attack of the Killer Tomatoes and appeared on television’s One Life to Live, Ryan’s Hope, and The Doctors and has been heard on voice-overs for The Guiding Light and The Cosby Show, as well as many television and radio commercials.