A Captain's Duty

Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea

By: Richard Phillips, Stephan Talty

Narrated by: George K. Wilson

Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

"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 53-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.

©2010 Richard Phillips (P)2010 Tantor

Very good non fiction read

Would you listen to A Captain's Duty again? Why?

Both this audiobook and the movie are great, but if you have the choice, listen or read the book first before watching the movie.

EXCITING BOOK

I KNOW THIS BOOK HAS BEEN MADE INTO A MOVIE WITH TOM HANKS AS CAPTAIN PHILLIPS; HOWEVER, I HEARD A REVIEWER WHO HAS SEEN 112 MOVIES SO FAR THIS YEAR AND HE READ THE BOOK, AND STILL GAVE THE SCREENPLAY A 5 STAR. HE SAID, TOM HANKS JUST MADE THIS BOOK COME ALIVE. SO OF COURSE, I HAD TO READ THE BOOK. I CANNOT IMAGINE A MOVIE CAPTURING THE BACK-STORY AND ENDING AS WELL AS THE BOOK, WE WILL SEE. I JUST HAD TO TELL YOU ABOUT THIS "HERO", CAPTAIN PHILLIPS AND HOW BRAVE AND TRUE TO HIMSELF HE WAS THAT ENABLED HIM TO SURVIVE A SOMALIA PIRATE ATTACK OF HIS CARGO SHIP. HE JUST TRICKED THESE KIDS UP ONE SIDE AND DOWN THE OTHER, UNTIL THEY LAUNCHED THE LIFE RAFT AND THEN THE WHOLE FORCE OF THEIR EVIL WAYS TESTED HIS WHOLE CHARACTER. HE SAID, "WE ALL HAVE THIS COURAGE WITHIN US, OURS HAS JUST GONE UNTESTED." "STICK TO YOUR BELIEFS THAT YOU CAN OVERCOME EVIL, EVEN DEATH", YOU STILL WILL WIN. BELIEVE ME, YOUR CREDIT WAS NEVER SPENT BETTER BY PLACING YOUR TRUST IN THIS BOOK. GET READY FOR A RIDE.

What A Great Story!

Where does A Captain's Duty rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is one of my favorites. I really enjoyed it.

What other book might you compare A Captain's Duty to and why?

I don't really have a comparison.

Which character – as performed by George K. Wilson – was your favorite?

They were all great characters. He did a wonderful job.

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

When the captain was about to say goodbye to his wife when he thought he was about to be killed. I think my eyes watered up. Very moving. I saw the movie first and then listened to the audio book. I loved the back story of the captain and the love that he had for his wife. They didn't explain their close relationship in the movie and knowing how strong their love was made the story a lot more emotional.

Any additional comments?

I couldn't wait to listen to the audio book. It was a fascinating book. Loved it. Definitely check it out.

More of a love story than a story of pirates

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The majority of the book book was boring. Its a love story about him and his wife. Not much action and everytime it does get interesting it reverts back to his wife and how strong she is.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Tell the story of samali pirates and not of some dude who thinks he's above other people cause he is irish and from boston. Its a regular man telling his story but because he is a Bostonian he has to let you know that about 500 times in the book. its annoying

What three words best describe George K. Wilson’s voice?

Not Scott Brick

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no way

Any additional comments?

don't waste your credit

Written well. Great detail and true emotions.

Captain Phillips has an excellent story to tell. Felts if I was there with him.

Reading the book from now on! Forget Hollywood!

What made the experience of listening to A Captain's Duty the most enjoyable?

The personal story, without being "sanitized" by Hollywood "political correctness"!

What other book might you compare A Captain's Duty to and why?

Robinson Crusoe! A good personal account telling the authors thoughts and feelings, as well as reasons for certain actions.

Have you listened to any of George K. Wilson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but like it and may look for more!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Cry! The return to safety was very personal! Even the participation of President Obama, whom I tend to greatly disrespect, was laudable and inspiring!

Any additional comments?

The movie was so different and "whitewashed" with no referance to truth about the pirates being Muslims. This book seemed to touch on the truth, not make excuses for the pirates reasons for turning to crime(fishing grounds polluted and fished out!).
Overall, this story is the history, method of attaining a career, and personal adventure of a great merchant marine captain! This adventure gave me a virtual ride into a career I had always wondered about! Thank God I don't have to go there, having done so in these words so well presented!

loved it .

loved it. The narrator was excellent. Had difficulty putting it down. I would recommend this audio book

great sorry

emotional story but a good one. the end was a little sappy but still a great book! i liked the book much more than the movie. the story being told by Capitan Phillips added value and sentiment. i also liked that they involved his wife more in the book than they did in the movie.

Truly an Amazing Story

I loved this book! It was so well-written & fascinating! A story of true bravery & humility! I loved it & would honestly recommend to anyone.

A great story

I usually don't review. The story was told well and very realistic. I found myself yelling at "the book" - SHOOT UM! I hated to see it end.