Swallows and Amazons cover art

Swallows and Amazons

Swallows and Amazons Series, Book 1

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Swallows and Amazons

By: Arthur Ransome
Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
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About this listen

For anyone who loves sailing and adventure, Arthur Ransome's classic Swallows and Amazons series stands alone. Originally published over a half-century ago, the twelve books are still eagerly read by children and adults alike – by all those captivated by the world of adventure and imagination. Such longevity is not only due to Ransome’s unparalleled gift of storytelling, but also his championing of qualities such as independence and initiative; virtues that appeal to every generation, whether young or old. Swallows and Amazons, the book that started it all in 1930, introduces the Walker family, the camp on Wild Cat Island, the able-bodied catboat Swallow, and the two intrepid Amazons, plucky Nancy and Peggy Blackett.

Arthur Ransome was a prolific writer of children's books. Born in Leeds in 1884, it was his father, a nature-loving history professor, who inspired his love of the outdoors and nurtured a passion for fishing. As a child he enjoyed active, outdoor holidays: sailing, camping and exploring the countryside. He used many of these holiday settings for his children's stories, notably the much-loved Swallows and Amazons, a book that sits comfortably in the category of ‘timeless classic’. In 1936 he won the first ever Carnegie Medal for the sixth book in the Swallows & Amazons series, Pigeon Post.

©2013 Arthur Ransome (P)2013 Audible Ltd Action & Adventure Classics Fiction Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Literature & Fiction Outdoor Adventure Camping Transportation Fishing

Critic Reviews

“Enchanting and escapist” ( Sunday Express)
“There is plenty of excitement, a little danger, a quality of thinking, planning and fun which is delightful and stimulating” ( Times Literary Supplement )
“Thrilling not only to young readers fond of the sea, but also to older readers who remember how they enjoyed sea stories when they themselves were young” ( The Scotsman)
“All the thrills of Treasure Island and Robinson Crusoe" ( Daily Telegraph)
“Absolutely fantastic” ( Daily Express)

What listeners say about Swallows and Amazons

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Amazing story!!!!

this is a 'have to' for any Adventurers to be !!!
I love it !!!!!

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Swallows and Amazons

Loved it! Wonderful to revisit this gem from childhood. Beautifully read and priduced. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

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What a exciting BOOK

I love how it never gets boring
And I recommend this book to all ages

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swashbuckling!

a good swashbuckling tale! wish I was a kid again! easy read on the way to work

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Still a fantastic book

I have always loved this book and this reading of it was first class. Loved every minute of it.

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A story about children pretending to be pirates

Well written but almost nothing happens. They pretend to be pirates. They visit people. They go fishing. There is a burglary that is almost instantly solved and a storm where they all get wet. No tension. No mystery except for the reason that Captain Flint is in a bad mood. I struggle to comprehend the popularity of this book. Nowhere near as inventive as the Narnia books or even Enid Blyton. Perhaps for 1930s British kids living in smoky towns the prospect of sailing on a lake was enough. On the positive side it does provide a lot of education about sailing.

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I did Not like it one bit

I hate the language being used through out the hole book but it does have a good adventure in it.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.