• The Oceans and the Stars

  • A Sea Story, A War Story, A Love Story; The Seven Battles and Mutiny of Athena, Patrol Coastal Ship 15
  • By: Mark Helprin
  • Narrated by: Traber Burns
  • Length: 21 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (84 ratings)

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The Oceans and the Stars  By  cover art

The Oceans and the Stars

By: Mark Helprin
Narrated by: Traber Burns
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Publisher's summary

Mark Helprin, New York Times bestselling author of Winter’s Tale and A Soldier of the Great War, returns with a fast-paced, beautifully written novel about the majesty of the sea; a life dedicated to duty, honor, and country; and the gift of falling in love.

A Navy captain near the end of a decorated career, Stephen Rensselaer is disciplined, intelligent, and determined always to do what’s right. In defending the development of a new variant of warship, he makes an enemy of the president of the United States, who assigns him to command the doomed line’s only prototype­—Athena, Patrol Coastal 15­­—with the intent to humiliate a man who should have been an admiral.

Rather than resign, Rensselaer takes the new assignment in stride, and while supervising Athena’s fitting out in New Orleans, encounters a brilliant lawyer, Katy Farrar, with whom he falls in last-chance love. Soon thereafter, he is deployed on a mission that subjects his integrity, morality, and skill to the ultimate test and which ensures that Athena will live forever in the annals of the Navy.

As in the Odyssey, Katy is the force that keeps him alive and the beacon that lights the way home through seven battles, mutiny, and court martial.

In classic literary form, an enthralling new novel that extolls the virtues of living by the laws of conscience, decency, and sacrifice, The Oceans and the Stars is nothing short of a masterpiece.

©2023 Mark Helprin. Published in 2023 by The Overlook Press, an imprint of ABRAMS, New York. All rights reserved. (P)2023 Blackstone Publishing

What listeners say about The Oceans and the Stars

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Impossible to put down …

It’s an LOS (loss of sleep) type of novel — it’s so good you forget all else. Action, romance and suspense tied to a tale of enduring morality. Also, unexpectedly so, very topical.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A modern day naval saga

Well written and very engaging naval saga set in very current times. I highly recommend it for anyone who has served in the navy or coast guard.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A Book That You Won’t Forget

One of the best books I have
read in past 2 years .
I couldn’t wait to ger back to it!
Inspiring story on multiple levels, beautiful writing .

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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A story within a story within a story

It is an awesome story within a story within a story. Yes, it's a war story, a love story, and a history of the sea (Navy). As I have no knowledge to base such things on, I will say that the depictions of naval warfare feel authentic. This is the first modern war (ISIS) story I've read. I mostly stick with WWII. Very well written. If you enjoy the sea and naval combat, you will definitely enjoy this read. If you are reading for the love story, you will probably think there isn't enough love and too much sea and war. I still recommend it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Great story.

Didn’t care for the narrator; voice too deep and not enough variety. But another Helprin great.

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fearless and beautiful

I devoured Mark Helprin's new novel, which you ABSOLUTELY MUST READ. Anyone who loves America and loves inspired writing and enduring values should not miss it!

If you are not offended by notions like beauty, honor and virtue, you will find this book courageous and fulfilling.

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Exciting and satisfying

My first experience with Halpern, I will definitely look into all his work.
The detail was there, but not too much. The writing descriptive and satisfying, the character development exactly as I like it, and the presentation excellent. 5 stars in my world.

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Spellbinding

Not since Winds of War have I been so entranced—a lose yourself for a weekend immersion that both The NYT’s and Economists’ book mavens somehow missed.

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The amount of research not to mention a wonderful story!


Mark Helprin never ceases to amaze! As in all his books the amazing amount of research that goes into to each book brings each one to life for the reader.

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Delightful book with endearing characters

Delightful book with endearing characters. A love story, a war story, but mainly a story of character. A naval officer finds himself defending the importance of coastal cruisers and for hours trouble has a promotion withheld and given one to captain. Faced with insurmountable challenges he still triumphs. The story telling is magical.

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1 person found this helpful