Captain Blood

By: Rafael Sabatini

Narrated by: Robert Whitfield

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

George MacDonald Fraser, author of the Flashman novels, praises this hearty saga as "one of the great unrecognized novels of the 20th century." Doctor Peter Blood's quiet life is shattered when he is convicted of treason for helping a wounded nobleman in the 1685 rebellion against King James II.
He's swept into a slave ship to Barbados but escapes from slavery and a brutal plantation owner during a Spanish Pirate attack. He becomes a pirate and before long becomes the greatest buccaneer of them all. Raids, sea battles, sword fights, acts of gallantry and low cunning follow, recounted with zest and skill by a natural-born storyteller.

©1999 Blackstone Audiobooks; Originally published in England in 1922 (P)1999 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A salty dose of high-seas adventure....First-class storytelling." (Library Journal)

Loved this story all the more for the narration

Would you consider the audio edition of Captain Blood to be better than the print version?

I haven't read this story since I was very young, but decided to listen to the Audible version based on a recommendation of another author (ok, it was Agatha Christie mentioning this book as one of her favorites). I love seafaring stories as a rule, and daring, unrequited (not gruesome) pirate tales are true favorites. This story was all I wished for. But the narration was the best part...truly amazing. The characterization was calm and natural (not wildly over-stated), and just wonderfully done. It was difficult to conclude listening to this book. I wanted it to go on and on.

What did you like best about this story?

The descriptions of the action at sea...and the well-developed characters were like old friends I'd just re-encountered.

Have you listened to any of Robert Whitfield’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not before, but I plan to find and listen to all he's performed.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The main character's misery at being prevented from turning away from piracy and his will to protect others.

Any additional comments?

I have literally hundreds of Audible books. This was my very favorite reading.

this is a new classic eternal favorite

Loved it. Will come back to it. Need more of it. This great pirate fiction.

Well done

The old school of adventure writing, not unlike Anthony Hope’s Prisoner of Zenda. Their slower evolving romance line and behavior must be taken as yesterday’s etiquette.

blood blood and more blood

Quick talking, Captain blood is always one step ahead, and one witticism him up on his constantly daft enemies and courageous but slow, witted compatriots. His righteousness seems supernatural and the books internal logic allows for delay forward play in an old Timey style feels like an Errol Flynn swashbuckling epic.

Classic high seas adventure. Superb narration.

This was such a great story, I can’t believe I never discovered it before. Righteous fury against the worst kind of injustice set in a golden age of piracy story. The narrator was perfect. He could do an Irish accent and a woman’s voice with aplomb. I loved it.

Excellent story

This is an ideal book for teens. Not the woke idiotic type. Real people. Proper upbringing. Enough said.

Adventure on the high seas!

Fun, quick and engaging swashbuckling take of Captain Blood and his buccaneers! Read very well!

Loved the Book and Reader

Pirates! Well written fiction that will tickle your adventure bone. If you don't like slower stories don't try this one. It will not always be a thriller every single second. But if you like a well-paced adventure then listen away!

Really good reader!!!

Well written, fun, swashbuckling escapism

Well written and an enjoyable listen ... won’t tax your brain but will take you along for the ride.

Great story great narration

This was a very good story. The narrator read it very well, especially the wide variety of differing accents.