Swallows and Amazons

Swallows and Amazons Series, Book 1

By: Arthur Ransome

Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong

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

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)

Classic Children's Literature at it's Best

Swallows and Amazons is a masterpiece of children's literature, written by author Arthur Ransome and the winner of the inaugural Carnegie Medal in 1937.

Set back in the time before overwhelming and constricting parental protection became practice, this book is about four children on their Summer holidays sailing on a Lake in the English Lake's District. With parents and other responsible adults far away, they engage in adventures in the sailing dinghy 'Swallow'. While sailing around this lake they make-believe a world of exploration where they are the explorers mapping the Lake. On their journeys they meet the Amazon Pirates, establish an explorer's camp on Wild Cat Island, fight a war and sail in the dead of night.

This book is the first of a series of 12 books that take place on the Lake, the Norfolk Broads, and on the high seas and have capture the imagination of many children since their first publication in the 1930-50s.

This book is perfect for children to read or have read to them and conveys the innocence of childhood imagination and adventure in such a way that many children would love to have a holiday such as this.

Wonderful adventure story

My older brother put me on to the Swallows and Amazons series when I was around 12 years old. I very much enjoyed revisiting this story, and I will follow up with Swallowdale soon. Swallows and Amazon’s was a fabulous reminder of the simpler, more adventurous childhoods of our past that few young people get the chance to experience in the hustle and bustle of our modern world. Loved it!

Fun. Especially of you like sailing

This is definitely a kid's book, although there's bits of humour that are amusing to any reader. It smacks of an age of innocence.