Play Audiobook Sample
Under Enemy Colors Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(4.00) - 495 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
Born to an English father and a French mother, lieutenant Charles Saunders Hayden's career is damned by his "mixed" heritage. Assigned to the HMS Themis, an aging frigate under the command of a captain reviled by his crew for both his brutality towards his men and his cowardice in battle, Hayden is torn between honor and duty, as the British navy engages the French in a centuries-old struggle for power.
Download and start listening now!
"This is an excellent start to what looks to be a great and refreshing new series. Grittier than Forester, Pope, or Kent and far more readable and stimulating than O'Brien (sorry to any POB fans out there), this book was packed with battle, adventure, and intrigue. One thing that I especially liked about it was that the common seamen were FINALLY portrayed as sentient beings, instead of the mindless, will-less automatons of other series. The protagonist was very human, but still admirable and very likable. The 'supporting cast' was also great: you love the good guys and hate the villains, though there are a few characters that are sort of fence-riders (making the story more believable and more realistic, in my opinion). A must read for any son or daughter of the sea!"
— Will (4 out of 5 stars)
Under Enemy Colors Listener Reviews
-
" Really Enjoyed it ! So much so , im currently reading the 2nd book in the series ! "
— Brett, 2/14/2014 -
" The next closest thing to O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series. "
— Ross, 2/11/2014 -
" I'm having a difficult time getting into this book. I'll read a few more chapters and see if it gets any more exciting. "
— Winona, 2/10/2014 -
" If you like British Naval History fiction then you will enjoy this. Not quite Patrick O Brian but close. "
— Rodger, 1/17/2014 -
" Rousing good yarn -- in the same genre as Kent and 0'Brian. "
— R, 1/11/2014 -
" As fine a read as Patrick O'Brian. If you like 18th Century naval warfare and a thrilling plot, these are the books for you. "
— Matthew, 1/7/2014 -
" On the high seas during at the end of the 18th century. A little slow to start, but love the characters and action. Who knew sailing a war ship through the travails of pirates, mutinies and the enemy French could be so fun. "
— Pat, 1/7/2014 -
" fun adventure, peril, very much like Patrick OBrian novels "
— Pianomama, 1/6/2014 -
" A thoroughly enjoyable read, it begs for a sequel or two. "
— jeffrey, 12/18/2013 -
" Well written, interesting characterisation and good action pace and descriptions. Baddies non-comeuppance will disappoint many and the love interest is weak, poorly handled and badly plotted within the story. But a good beach read. "
— Jasper, 12/3/2013 -
" Great adventure story. I was behind the hero the whole time but I never really knew what I wanted him to do. Detailed descriptions of rigging and what not. So if you have a ship you could use this book as an instruction manual. "
— Landon, 11/28/2013 -
" I will never forget reading this for the first time. An absolute masterpiece. Riveting and so insightful. "
— Adam, 11/16/2013 -
" In the tradition of Hornblower and O'Brien, this book does not disappoint. "
— Brad, 10/20/2013 -
" A great story line! The technical jargon was used a lot and for one that knows nothing of sailing, it made for a more difficult read. "
— Lauren, 12/7/2012 -
" Exellent read very much like Dudley Pope and O'Brian. Enjoyable,exciting boys own swash and buckle. "
— Maturin27, 7/11/2012 -
" Absolutely love this story. I hope there is many more to come from this series. Awesome "
— David, 6/15/2012 -
" The idea has potential, but it just fell short for me. "
— Malakalima, 4/25/2012 -
" Aye matey, 'tis a mighty read. "
— Hermitcrab, 3/30/2012 -
" Not bad--I liked the context of the French Revolution. The author tries a little too hard to point out when he's making a funny, but it's a pretty decent first novel. I'll probably read the next one. "
— Scarlet, 11/5/2011 -
" Tim reading this series. "
— Kristin, 9/19/2011 -
" Overall good book, I especially liked Lt. Hayden's character. Though I don't know much about ships or sailing, this was an interesting read about moral character during the battle among French and English at war. "
— Alisa, 6/20/2011 -
" Now I can't wait to read his next book. "
— John, 6/2/2011 -
" Finished this one about a week ago. Really enjoyed it; not the most original story, C S Forester and Alexander Kent have both written similar stories, nor the must accurate (Royal Navy lieutenants did not wear epaulets until 1812 Mr Russell!) but has engaging characters and great action sequences. "
— Hisham1969, 4/4/2011 -
" A thoroughly enjoyable read, it begs for a sequel or two. "
— jeff, 3/20/2011 -
" Not bad--I liked the context of the French Revolution. The author tries a little too hard to point out when he's making a funny, but it's a pretty decent first novel. I'll probably read the next one. "
— Scarlet, 12/23/2010 -
" Great adventure story where you are behind the hero the whole time but you aren't always sure what you want him to do. Detailed descriptions of rigging and what not. So if you have a ship you could use this book as an instruction manual. "
— Landon, 5/29/2010 -
" On the high seas during at the end of the 18th century. A little slow to start, but love the characters and action. Who knew sailing a war ship through the travails of pirates, mutinies and the enemy French could be so fun. "
— Pat, 3/24/2010 -
" A poor man's <em> Mutiny on the Bounty</em>, but I got caught up in the story. "
— Bob, 1/27/2010 -
" Great nautical fiction based on the Napoleonic wars in the C.S. Forrester/Hornblower mold. Less mannered and precious than Patrick O'Brien's Jack Aubrey or Dewey Lamdin's Alan Lewrie series. Thoroughly enjoyable. "
— David, 7/7/2009 -
" In the tradition of Hornblower and O'Brien, this book does not disappoint. "
— Brad, 12/21/2008 -
" This is the best novel in the tradition of Hornblower I have read, and I've read quite a few. <br/> <br/>Good action scenes. Quick-witted solutions to interesting problems. Interesting characters. <br/> <br/>More please! "
— Stven, 10/10/2008 -
" Consistant medium pacing, good story line, and likeable characters. "
— Jenifer, 9/8/2008 -
" Overall good book, I especially liked Lt. Hayden's character. Though I don't know much about ships or sailing, this was an interesting read about moral character during the battle among French and English at war. "
— Alisa, 9/4/2008 -
" I'm having a difficult time getting into this book. I'll read a few more chapters and see if it gets any more exciting. "
— Winona, 8/27/2008
About S. Thomas Russell
S. Thomas Russell is a lifelong sailor whose passion for the sea and his love of nautical history inspired Under Enemy Colors. He lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
About Simon Vance
Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.