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)

One of the Best

Where does Captain Blood rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 10 and I've listened to nearly 300

Who was your favorite character and why?

Who else but the Captain?

Any additional comments?

Sabatini is a master. Perhaps only Dumas can rival him, but even he would struggle against Sabatini's wit. Though this is technically a young adult book, the writing is of such high quality that it can be enjoyed at any age. The narrator, Robert Whitfield (or rather Simon Vance / Richard Matthews) does an incredible job, and really helps bring to life the character of Captain Blood. He makes him every bit as charming as Sabatini, no doubt, intended. Needless to say, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is one of the best.

Peter Blood Doctor. Captain pirate and theif!

I loved the story Sabatini is a master story teller, and Robert Whitfield a wonderful and accomplished voice actor. Loved the book as a child and now as a 54 year old as an older man. Awesome take on a classic tale.

A Brilliant Accomplishment

A terrific yarn, full of adventure and historical charm. The narration is top-notch. Highly recommended.

Sabatini at his best

Well read and well presented. Raphael Sabatini cannot be topped for a completely developed novel with all the trimmings!

Fantastic!

A great, swashbuckling tale written with style. Well read and I listened with definite pleasure.

One of if not the best pirate story I’ve come across

Superbly constructed story with hints of Dumas heroism and gallantry, Absolutely fantastic, I highly recommend.

Great performance

Very good presentation of different voices for all the characters. Captain Blood comes alive, especially with his Irish accent.

Great Book

I have no complaints about the book, which is one of my favorites and the audiobook is wonderfully performed.
My only complaint is with Audible which doesn't even come close to getting the chapter breaks in the right place. There are several book chapters contains in one Audible chapter, and it switches to the next track right in the middle of an actual book chapter.
This just makes it harder to remember your place, especially when you want to start a chapter over because you missed something.
I don't know why Audible does this.

Great and intelligent escape.

Witty, articulate writing and a wonderful story. Imagine Pirates of the Caribbean done by Charles Dickens. Really engaging characters. And the reader is outstanding. Great fun.

Un-Bloody Adventure with Class

I love the Sabatini stories, and this one is as good as, if not better than, Scaramouche. The narrator was superb and the story is classic good vs. evil, with satisfying twists and turns.