Autobiography of a Seaman, Vol. 1


Read by Timothy Ferguson

(4.6 stars; 73 reviews)

This two volume work is the autobiography of Lord Cochrane, a naval captain of the Napoleonic period. His adventures are seminal to the development of naval fiction as a genre. Marryat sailed with Cochrane, while later writers borrowed incidents from this biography for their fictions. Most notable among these is Patrick O'Brian, three of whose novels have clear parallels to incidents in the life of Cochrane. This first volume covers Cochrane's earlier life, during which he is most active militarily. (Introduction by Timothy Ferguson) (11 hr 19 min)

Chapters

00 - Dedication, Preface, and Introductory 1:08:03 Read by Timothy Ferguson
01 - My Boyhood, and Entrance Into the Navy 22:25 Read by Timothy Ferguson
02 - Cruise of the Hind 18:41 Read by Timothy Ferguson
03 - Voyage of the Thetis 22:59 Read by Timothy Ferguson
04 - Services in the Meditteranean 24:10 Read by Timothy Ferguson
05 - Cruise of the Speedy 42:15 Read by Timothy Ferguson
06 - Cruise of the Speedy Continued 26:04 Read by Timothy Ferguson
07 - Admiralty Reluctance to Promote Me 26:48 Read by Timothy Ferguson
08 - Naval Administration Sixty Years Ago 21:03 Read by Timothy Ferguson
09 - Employment in the Arab 9:26 Read by Timothy Ferguson
10 - Cruise of the Pallas 18:50 Read by Timothy Ferguson
11 - Services in the Pallas Continued 33:43 Read by Timothy Ferguson
12 - My Entrance Into Parliament 18:47 Read by Timothy Ferguson
13 - Dissolution of Parliament 33:48 Read by Timothy Ferguson
14 - Cruise of the Imperieuse 30:28 Read by Timothy Ferguson
15 - Cruise of the Imperieuse Continued 29:11 Read by Timothy Ferguson
16 - Cruise of the Imperieuse Continued 22:15 Read by Timothy Ferguson
17 - Cruise of the Imperieuse Continued 49:37 Read by Timothy Ferguson
18 - Cruise of the Imperieuse Continued 21:28 Read by Timothy Ferguson
19 - Appointment to Command Fire-Ships in Basque Roads 25:10 Read by Timothy Ferguson
20 - Untitled Chapter 24:16 Read by Timothy Ferguson
21 - Untitled chapter 50:27 Read by Timothy Ferguson
22 - Arrival in England 19:22 Read by Timothy Ferguson
23 - Lord Gambier's Despatch 19:55 Read by Timothy Ferguson

Reviews

Great reading! Alternately tedious and fascinating.


(4 stars)

Apparently Lord Cochrane was a divisive character in his time. A capable seaman, yet an insufferable jerk. All that comes across in this book. The book offers great insights into Naval tactics and operations in the early 19th century, but often reads as a justification of himself and an excruciation of his enemies. Of course, that's what this is. Ferguson brings another stellar reading in conveying all this.

Great Book Great Reading


(5 stars)

If you like any Patrick O'Brien Books (eg Master & Commander) you will love this. Its much less dramatic thsn a historical fiction novel but is still jawdropping. The constant defensive tone can get a bit wearing but its justified in the context of the nook.The naration is also perfect. Thanks for uploading.

Very good, just need vol 2!


(5 stars)

I very much enjoyed this story and the narration is great, good job Timothy. An interesting mix of serious naval adventures and its politics in the 19th century. Sadly volume two seems to be missing in action!

more exiting than fiction


(5 stars)

inspiring indignation of the unjust and malicious treatment of Lord Cochrane and showing the patient and humble forbearance on the part of Cochrane himself.


(4.5 stars)

This is a very engaging story/autobiography, easy to listen to as well. He had a pleasant, easy to follow manner of reading to the listener.


(5 stars)

Excellent reading!!! Fantastic book about a brave, engenius, mistreated British Naval officer. Great history, and claims which writer backs every step of the way.

Poor poor man.


(3 stars)

If the writer had received every promotion when he thought he deserved one he would have been PM.


(4.5 stars)

Very beautifully written and full of excitement around every turn ¡