Captains Courageous

By: Rudyard Kipling

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Captains Courageous is Rudyard Kipling’s classic fable of a boy’s initiation into the fellowship of men, played out on the high seas of the late 1800s. When he falls overboard from a luxury liner, Harvey Cheyne, the spoiled son of an American millionaire, is rescued by a small New England fishing schooner. To earn his keep, Harvey must prove his worth in the only way the skipper and his hardy crew will accept: through the grueling mastery of a fisherman’s skills. Brimming with salty dialogue, crackling adventure, and mesmerizing visions of the sea, Captains Courageous is one of this Nobel Prize-winning author’s most enduringly popular tales.

Public Domain (P)1995 Recorded Books, LLC

A great listen

A great story, very well written, with a powerful performance that makes it come alive. Highly recommended.

Captains Couragous narrated by George Guidall

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Although written at the turn of the century, Kipling still captivates the reader (and listener) with morals and issues that continue to be important in today's society. A must read short novel that gets better when narrated by George Guidall! Guidall brings out the characters like no one else can. A wonderful audio book that I recommend for kids ages 1 to 100!

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

I have had the pleasure of listening to Guidall's narration of "Typhoon" by Joseph Conrad. Guidall has the rare ability to bring the story to life as if you were there walking the deck with the characters in the book! His talents have never let me down yet and I actively look for his name as narrator of an audio book - he's that good.

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

There were times that I would find myself laughing with the story and yes, a damp eye for the sad parts. This story has the ability to move you emotionally!

Any additional comments?

As each generation passes, I think we loose the realization of just how every day life has changed along with our language usage. This short novel is a great bridge to our past and forces us to remember the sacrifices people made to "put bread on the table".

A wonderful story, and a great voice reading it

I have always loved this story, and thought I knew it by heart. But hearing it so well read gave me renewed pleasure.

A case where a good movie ruined a great book

What made the experience of listening to Captains Courageous the most enjoyable?

I have long loved the Spenser Tracy, Freddie Bartholomew, Mickey Rooney, Lionel Barrymore movie loosely based on this book. And, it's a decent enough movie, and expertly performed, but the story is rather syrupy. If, like me, you think you know the story because you saw the movie - you too are wrong. The book has no such syrup. There are important things about the book that cannot translate to the screen, but additionally, the book is so much more powerful and gritty. And the story is very different. This book should be a must read for every Jr High School student, especially boys. It is not only important literature, it teaches important lessons in character development within ones self, and a lot about the value of work and family. As a father of boys, I enjoyed it also from their minds eye as well as reliving my own boyhood.

What did you like best about this story?

Kipling is very courageous in how he deals honestly in a book for children with issues of life and death, personal integrity, religious tolerance, cross-cultural understanding, and what it means to a boy learning what it means to be a man.

Which scene was your favorite?

A steam liner is cutting across the fishing channel in the night fog and Harvey is frantically ringing the boat's bell praying to save his life and the lives of his friends when he flashes back to a time when he was aboard a luxury steam-liner cutting through fishing waters and he wished to see the spectacle of a fishing boat crushed under the bigger boat. He is tormented to his very soul for his callous disregard of human life and regrets the arrogant boy he used to be.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

I chose this book because I've become such a fan of Guidall's reading that I search now for books read by him. His abilities to bring a book to life are especially highlighted in such a book as this. I have come to think of him as a good friend though he doesn't know I exist.

Amazing story, Great narrator.

What more do you need to know? If you love Kipling and Guidall then buy this audiobook.

One of the Truly Great Books

This book is timeless. It Is a story before the world woke up. When people believed in hard work can Cure Bad habits. I am Dying of cancer but chose to Listen to this book as my Exit

You can't beat an old classic for boys

Wonderful sea story from an earlier time. the movie and the book are very different and both areceorth the time for different reasons. the movie takes lots of liberties with the book. I loved the ending and the way Harvey became a man.
the narration is top notch.

Excellent Narration

Well told - great dynamics and clear speakers. I especially appreciate the variety of voices used and accents as well.

I Love This Story...

What made the experience of listening to Captains Courageous the most enjoyable?

George Guidall. He brings the story of a spoiled brat becoming a level headed young man to life in a way few could. This is the great version of a great book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The book has already been made into a film, and it was good as well. My tag line might be "a brat's journey to manhood".

Any additional comments?

Well worth your money or your credit.

Classic

To be read and re-read
Recommended to the world, as a tonic for life