A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea
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- ISBN13: 9781401323806
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
“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 fifty-three-year-ancient Richard Phillips, captain of the Maersk Alabama, the United States-flagged cargo ship which was carrying, among additional 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 hostage in exchange for the safety of his crew. Thus started the tense five-day stand-off, which finished in a daring high-seas rescue when U.S. Navy SEALs opened fire and selected off three of the captors.
“It never ends like this,” Captain Phillips said.
And he’s right.
A Captain’s Duty tells the life-and-death drama of the Vermont native who was held captive on a tiny lifeboat off Somalia’s anarchic, gun-plagued shores. A tale of adventure and courage, it 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 place 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.
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Just finished this book and was sorry to see it end! It was a powerful tale, wonderfully told by Captain Phillips (and co-leader Stephan Talty), about men and women who serve on the seas in very treacherous times, and the families they place behind (so to speak). I learned things about the Merchant Marine that I never knew, and the tale of how this particular captain and his crew, supported by a devoted family tree and community, and aided by the U.S. Navy (BRAVO!), foiled the plans of one band of pirates, was absolutely riveting. The whole tale just makes you proud, and thankful for the professionalism, courage, and selfless service of so many described in this book. Bravo to all!
Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
A Captain’s Duty is the compelling narrative of Captain Richard Phillips suffering last year at the hands of Somali pirates aboard the Merchant Marine vessel Maersk Alabama. Having spent years serving aboard various US Naval Vessels I particularly loved the arresting contrast Phillips makes comparing the Merchant Marine Corps and the US Navy. This tale is addictive, fascinating, and horrifying at the same time. I can’t recommend this title enough. Phillips is a right American hero, in every sense of the title, if ever there was ever such a person.
Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
I, too, watched with rapt attention last year when this situation went down, wondering how in hell this would be resolved. I cheered when the crawler came across the screen on Larry King Live that Richard had been rescued and that the incredible Navy Seals had done their gig to perfection.
This book was very well-written and entirely suspenseful even though the reader already knew the outcome. Kudos to Mr. Phillips and his crew for holding it all together during the horror. Kudos to the co-writer for weaving Mr. Phillips’ background, his family tree tale, and his emotional suffering into a compelling, cohesive narrative.
I have to say, as a salty New Englander myself, now transplanted to the South, I miss the likes of the Richard Phillipses – the men who say what they’ll do and then do what they’ve said. Men (and women, of course) of personal integrity are a dying breed.
A fantastic read. Just unfortunate that any of these players had to live through this to give us this book.
Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
This is a fantastic book on several levels.
1 – It shows you how much you depend on the Merchant Marine whether you know it or not. That TV from China did not get here by itself.
2 – It shows what you can accomplish when you have a strong sense of duty, no matter the risks.
3 – It shows that a SEAL team is not a group of people to be trifled with (I hope you already knew that)
I read this book take in to take in in two sittings. My dad was in the USCG and the Merchant Marine so I connected with it straight away. I also had a excellent friend that went to Massachusetts Maritime College before he died much too young. When I read Captain Phillips book, I could hear the New England accent and my acquaintances laugh. Just from the picture on the take in you get the thought that this is a guy when he tells you something you probably should listen. He was not operating with fake bravado, nor was he trying to show off – he really was performing A Captain’s Duty. He also generously doles out praise for his crew, the Navy, the SEAL team, and everybody that said prayers for him and his family tree. This is the tale of a remarkably composed guy thrown into an dreadful situation and what he was able to accomplish by not giving in to dread and panic. I hope two things after reading this book. One is that I am never in a situation that resembles anything like this and second, if I am that I can be at least half as composed as Captain Phillips.
He does not aver to be a hero, he does not aver to have done anything that anyone else could not do – as a matter of fact he points out that anyone could do what he did if place in the same situation. I beg to differ, but I will take him at his word. It is excellent to know that there are still a few REAL MEN left. I cannot count myself in that group, I wish I could, but I have never been tested to the level of Captain Phillips.
I was left with one question after reading this book. WHY are the Merchant ships thrown out to sea with nothing more than utility knives and flares to protect themselves? This cargo will most likely be in a LOCKED warehouse when it gets to the States, some of it may even be guarded by armed guards – why would you just place it out to sea with no protection against heavily armed bandits?
Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5
On April 8, 2009 four Somalian pirates took over an American flagged cargo ship by the name of “THE MAERSK ALABAMA”. The name of the Alabama’s captain was Richard Phillips… and this is the tale of his life leading up to… and including the takeover of the ship… and what eventually became a fight for his life… when he deftly maneuvered the pirates… who the captain nicknamed “LEADER”… “TALL GUY”… “MUSSO”… and “THE-CRAZY-EYED-YOUNG-GUY”… into giving up the ship and its entire crew… with the end result being that he was the lone remaining hostage. Richard grew up in the New England area in an Irish-American family tree and was one of eight kids. (Four boys and four girls.) His life was built around a like of sports and he states: “HELL, I LEARNED EVERYTHING BY PLAYING SPORTS.” One of his favorite athletes was Larry Bird whose toughness he respected. His explanation of the inner workings of his family tree are not unlike many families in his generation: “MY FATHER PROVED HIS LOVE BY GOING OUT AND WORKING LIKE HELL. YOU WANTED THAT *AND* A HUG EVERY NIGHT, TOO? GO TALK TO YOUR MOTHER.” Perhaps one of the best quips in the book is delivered when he describes life with his Father. “IT WAS LIKE GROWING UP WITH VINCE LOMBARDI IN A BAD MOOD.”
Richard wound up quitting sports… doing some drinking… getting in some fights… and among additional jobs drove a taxi. His life changed and his future was truly ongoing when he applied for and got accepted at the Massachusetts Maritime College. It was here he expanded and polished the inner drive to never let anyone get him down… he proved to himself and others… regardless of rank or position that they could never make him quit. A trait that obviously serves him well to this day… especially if you consider the fact that he’s still alive a excellent trait. One of the benefits a potential reader will accrue from this book is an appreciation for the history of “The Merchant Marines”. With obvious pride the tale is sprinkled with appealing facts such as “THE MERCHANT MARINE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE INVISIBLE SERVICE, THE GUYS WHO BROUGHT THE TANKS TO NORMANDY, THE BULLETS TO OKINAWA, BUT NO ONE EVER REMEMBERS US. WHAT GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR SAID WAS TRUE: THEY BROUGHT US OUR LIFEBLOOD AND PAID FOR IT WITH THEIR OWN.”
After the pirates took over the nearly defenseless ship… (Reviewer’s opinion: It’s utterly ridiculous that Merchant Marines aren’t allowed to carry weapons to defend themselves!) every thought that went through Phillips’s head… was how to protect his men and his ship. Cut-rate to a few flares and metal objects designed for securing cargo and maintaining a ship… and fire hoses… Captain Phillips had to use every ounce of street savvy and maritime skills in trying to overcome four Somalian pirates armed with AK-47’s. It factually became a chess match for life between “THE-LARRY-BIRD-OF-THE-MERCHANT-MARINES* and the four wanton pirates. After having most of his men hide in a pre-determined spot on the ship… one of the pirates was duped into being captured by the hiding crew… and a swap was made. The captured pirate and $30,000.00 for all the crew except the captain. Phillips was treated unmercifully… tied up with multiple ropes while he was mocked and hit with fists and guns… all while baking in the unforgiving sun. After a failed escape Phillips was not allowed to even urinate off the side of the lifeboat… he had to go in his pants… further humiliating him.
All during this time as Phillips summoned every bit of personal courage and might… the pirates had countless mock executions. As Navy ships eventually came within yards of the lifeboat… Captain Phillips wondered if he’d live to ever see his family tree again. You may know the outcome from the news… but till you read this book… you won’t know the anguish of this courageous Merchant Marine.
Reader’s Rating: 5 / 5