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Stories from the Golden Age
The Phantom Patrol
Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Johnny Trescott is as smart, tough, and fearless as they come. But he’s about to lose everything—his boat, his freedom, and his identity. Long before Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips fell into the hands of modern-day pirates, Johnny faced the same high-stakes action on the high seas.
Johnny’s mission is to track down drug runners in the Gulf of Mexico, and he’s got his eye on the biggest fish of all—Georges Coquelin. But an SOS from a downed plane that’s sinking fast leads him straight to disaster. . . .
Coquelin springs a trap. Stranding Johnny and the plane’s passengers on a deserted island, the drug smuggler commandeers Johnny’s boat and his name. In the company of a weak-kneed millionaire and a long-legged beauty, Johnny’s at the end of his rope—which could turn into a noose around his neck. He’s got nothing left to lose . . . and there’s nothing he won’t do to reclaim his reputation.
The Phantom Patrol marked a turning point in L. Ron Hubbard’s fiction. In writing this story he recognized the vital importance of research and realism. To that end, Hubbard toured Coast Guard vessels and interviewed officers who were actually involved in chasing down drug smugglers. The resulting authenticity and success of the tale was a sign of things to come. Read The Phantom Patrol and experience the development of a unique voice in storytelling.
Rev up your engines and get ready to ride a wave of action and intrigue as the audio version of The Phantom Patrol delivers an unsinkable adventure. “Engaging . . . Full speed ahead!” —Booklist
Johnny’s mission is to track down drug runners in the Gulf of Mexico, and he’s got his eye on the biggest fish of all—Georges Coquelin. But an SOS from a downed plane that’s sinking fast leads him straight to disaster. . . .
Coquelin springs a trap. Stranding Johnny and the plane’s passengers on a deserted island, the drug smuggler commandeers Johnny’s boat and his name. In the company of a weak-kneed millionaire and a long-legged beauty, Johnny’s at the end of his rope—which could turn into a noose around his neck. He’s got nothing left to lose . . . and there’s nothing he won’t do to reclaim his reputation.
The Phantom Patrol marked a turning point in L. Ron Hubbard’s fiction. In writing this story he recognized the vital importance of research and realism. To that end, Hubbard toured Coast Guard vessels and interviewed officers who were actually involved in chasing down drug smugglers. The resulting authenticity and success of the tale was a sign of things to come. Read The Phantom Patrol and experience the development of a unique voice in storytelling.
Rev up your engines and get ready to ride a wave of action and intrigue as the audio version of The Phantom Patrol delivers an unsinkable adventure. “Engaging . . . Full speed ahead!” —Booklist
2 pages, Audio CD
First published June 21, 2011
16 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
L. Ron Hubbard
1,931 books648 followersL. Ron Hubbard is universally acclaimed as the single most influential author and humanitarian of this modern age. His definitive works on the mind and spirit—comprising over 350 million copies in circulation and more than 40 international bestsellers—have resulted in a legacy benefiting millions and a movement spanning all cultures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 24, 2020
This was an exciting short book or novella. It was a good story but not much depth to it because of its length. I like how this book includes a biography of L. Ron Hubbard at the end along with a glossary and a list of his novels. He is a prolific writer and an interesting person.
Thanks to LibraryThing for this free book through their Member's Giveaway program.
Thanks to LibraryThing for this free book through their Member's Giveaway program.
January 13, 2015
I lucked out and found The Phantom Patrol audiobook at Goodwill this afternoon - and it was unopened! It clocks in at about two hours, so I gave it a listen while I was tidying up around the house. It follows Coast Guard CPO Johnny Trescott as he receives a distress call from a plane that has crashed and is sinking. He was initially chasing some drug runners on the ocean, but he cuts that short in order to help the passengers on the plane. Turns out that the drug runners heard the same alarm, and Johnny and his crew get something far more than they bargained for when they arrive at the scene.
This novella is fast-paced and action-packed - Hubbard is very good at getting your pulse racing, that's for sure! The only things that makes me want to rank it 3 stars is because the characterizations are on the light side, and it's kind of predictable. There is one pretty good twist nearer the end, though, that would have been unconventional when the story was new back in 1935.
My favorite aspect of the audiobook is the production itself! It's a multicast performance with music and sound effects. The featured performer is Phil Proctor, aka Howard from Rugrats.
Overall, The Phantom Patrol is fast and a lot of fun - exactly what a pulp should be! You know it's a good production when your cat thinks you're being shot at by pirates!
This novella is fast-paced and action-packed - Hubbard is very good at getting your pulse racing, that's for sure! The only things that makes me want to rank it 3 stars is because the characterizations are on the light side, and it's kind of predictable. There is one pretty good twist nearer the end, though, that would have been unconventional when the story was new back in 1935.
My favorite aspect of the audiobook is the production itself! It's a multicast performance with music and sound effects. The featured performer is Phil Proctor, aka Howard from Rugrats.
Overall, The Phantom Patrol is fast and a lot of fun - exactly what a pulp should be! You know it's a good production when your cat thinks you're being shot at by pirates!
June 20, 2019
I find this a little hard to rate because it is of its time and that time isn't now. This is definitely pulp fiction from the 20's. The tale is predictable but that doesn't make it unpleasant. It reminds me a lot of the old time radio shows I enjoy listening to. The downside of this compared to OTR is that the language is not as clean in this story. The voice actors do a good job. All in all, if you like pulp, it's for you. If you don't, you won't like this one.
This was given to me to review through LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
This was given to me to review through LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
June 7, 2024
This was a great short 93-paged novella but what it lacked was that I found it predictable to other action-based stories from other books and movies. I found the character, Johnny Trescott to be a watered-down version of Hubbard's other main character, The Lieutenant, from what I consider his best book so far, Final Blackout: A Futuristic War Novel. Despite this, the book has some great action and reminds me of those 1940s to 1950s action movies that were big at the time of Hubbard's publications. I liked the suspense which added to the action of the story. This novella is one footnote in one of a thousand of stories that L. Ron Hubbard wrote, pre-Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health
April 7, 2023
Joe is a member of the Coast Guard, leading a boat that is after a dope-smuggling pirate. Receiving a distress call from a downed plane, they go to save the plane's passengers but find the pirates have the same idea. A fire fight ensues, leading all to be kidnapped and kept on the pirates' island. Will they be able to escape? Will anyone believe their story?
I liked this audio CD. It was fun. The readers were great! I liked Joe and his crew. I also liked the hostess on the plane. I think her name was Eleanor. She was strong and smart. Joe tried to protect her, but she was able to do that herself as well as make plans to save them also. Joe looked for ways for them to escape. He was in trouble with the Coast Guard, but he knew what he had to do to prove he was loyal. I liked how it all worked out.
I look forward to listening to more in the Stories of the Golden Age series.
I liked this audio CD. It was fun. The readers were great! I liked Joe and his crew. I also liked the hostess on the plane. I think her name was Eleanor. She was strong and smart. Joe tried to protect her, but she was able to do that herself as well as make plans to save them also. Joe looked for ways for them to escape. He was in trouble with the Coast Guard, but he knew what he had to do to prove he was loyal. I liked how it all worked out.
I look forward to listening to more in the Stories of the Golden Age series.
October 14, 2016
“Thrilling Pulp Adventure.”
Johnny Trescott is CPO of the Coast Guard Patrol boat CG 1004. Johnny is hoping to run down Georges Coquelin, captain of the notorious Phantom Patrol. Coquelin is transporting drugs to the US, and anything else he can get his hands on. When Trescott receives a radio alert about a plane in the water, he turns the boat towards the sinking plane. It’s carrying millionaire businessman James Ferguson, two pilots and a stewardess. They reach it barely in time to rescue the crew and Ferguson, but Coquelin and his pirate crew have sneaked up in the storm and all disappear for three months. Although CG 1004 is reported attacking and robbing ships and killing passengers, and the captain of the boat looks a lot like Trescott. The Coast Guard believes Trescott has turned crook, and is holding Ferguson for ransom. Meanwhile, Truscott and his crew, as well as the plane crew and Ferguson, are all prisoners of Coquelin on an island. It’s up to Truscott to escape somehow and bring help to capture the Coquelin and rescue the prisoners. This short novel was originally published in the January 1935 issue of FIVE NOVELS. As with all of Hubbard’s early pulp writing, there is plenty of action to go with a good plot and interesting characters. These old stories were some of his best writing during the heyday of the pulp magazines. Highly recommended.
Johnny Trescott is CPO of the Coast Guard Patrol boat CG 1004. Johnny is hoping to run down Georges Coquelin, captain of the notorious Phantom Patrol. Coquelin is transporting drugs to the US, and anything else he can get his hands on. When Trescott receives a radio alert about a plane in the water, he turns the boat towards the sinking plane. It’s carrying millionaire businessman James Ferguson, two pilots and a stewardess. They reach it barely in time to rescue the crew and Ferguson, but Coquelin and his pirate crew have sneaked up in the storm and all disappear for three months. Although CG 1004 is reported attacking and robbing ships and killing passengers, and the captain of the boat looks a lot like Trescott. The Coast Guard believes Trescott has turned crook, and is holding Ferguson for ransom. Meanwhile, Truscott and his crew, as well as the plane crew and Ferguson, are all prisoners of Coquelin on an island. It’s up to Truscott to escape somehow and bring help to capture the Coquelin and rescue the prisoners. This short novel was originally published in the January 1935 issue of FIVE NOVELS. As with all of Hubbard’s early pulp writing, there is plenty of action to go with a good plot and interesting characters. These old stories were some of his best writing during the heyday of the pulp magazines. Highly recommended.
June 6, 2017
I had high hopes for this one, but they weren't didn't get fulfilled. It happens.
August 19, 2019
Too confusing, plus I was soooooo bored with this one.
October 22, 2020
Simple. But it has some exciting moments.
January 2, 2022
An old pulp novel post War with pirates and the coast guard.
Entertaining shoot 'em up.
Entertaining shoot 'em up.
September 16, 2013
While hunting drug smugglers in the Gulf of Mexico, the Coast Guard patrol boat CG One Oh Oh Four receives a distress call from a downed transport plane. The call couldn’t have come at a worse time. Chief Petty Officer Johnny Trescott will have to break off his pursuit of the smugglers once again, and what’s worse a hurricane is beginning to warm up in the area. To make things even more interesting, the distress call reveals that one of the passengers on the airplane is none other than millionaire land developer James Ferguson. Duty calls, and Johnny Trescott answers. Ordering his crew full speed ahead, the patrol boat battles through the waves and wind, which are steadily increasing.
Trescott and his gutsy crew arrive on the scene just in the nick of time, rescuing Ferguson and three others from the plane just before it sinks beneath the waves, but their troubles are just beginning. No sooner have the waterlogged passengers of the plane been pulled aboard the One Oh Oh Four than the smugglers show up. They heard the distress call as well, and the wealthy Ferguson could earn them a fine ransom. The drug runners sail a large ship, a cruiser, and have the little patrol boat out-gunned, and Trescott knows his only hope is to outrun them. That’s when his engineer informs him that the mad dash through stormy seas burned out the engines.
Three months later, hurricane season is over and the One Oh Oh Four, along with its captain and crew have vanished. Well, almost. Vague reports have been trickling in of a mysterious ship roaming the gulf. Some claim to have been waylaid and robbed at sea by a ghostly, white-haired captain, sailing a murky gray ship bearing the numbers One Oh Oh Four across her bow. Some say Johnny Trescott’s uneasy spirit scours the sea for loot. Others say he threw in with the smugglers and the ghost act is just a put-on. But sometimes truth can be stranger than fiction, and if only they knew.
L Ron Hubbard really is one of the most versatile authors I have had the pleasure of reading. Air adventures, sea adventures, stories of war, and tales of ancient tombs, Hubbard does it all with equal enthusiasm and finesse.
Galaxy Audio is producing more than 200 of Hubbard’s golden age stories from the 1930’s and 40’s, creating full-cast audio enhanced with music and sound effects. I was particularly impressed with The Phantom Patrol . During the rescue scene, I was treated to howling winds, crashing waves, and booming thunder. The stereo sound effects really put you right in the middle of the action..
The Phantom Patrol features R F Daley as the main narrator. The remaining characters are portrayed by the voice talents of Galaxy Audio regulars Phil Proctor and Jim Meskimen, along with Shane Johnson, Kristin Proctor, Thomas Silcott, and Michael Yurchak. Again, the full-cast production brings the story to life, giving it the feel of an old time radio program. I thought that Kristin Proctor was particularly good, sounding very natural in her narration.
The Phantom Patrol makes some good summer reading. It’s a thrilling story and production, and at only 2 hours it’s a good way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon.
Steven Brandt @ Audiobook-Heaven
Trescott and his gutsy crew arrive on the scene just in the nick of time, rescuing Ferguson and three others from the plane just before it sinks beneath the waves, but their troubles are just beginning. No sooner have the waterlogged passengers of the plane been pulled aboard the One Oh Oh Four than the smugglers show up. They heard the distress call as well, and the wealthy Ferguson could earn them a fine ransom. The drug runners sail a large ship, a cruiser, and have the little patrol boat out-gunned, and Trescott knows his only hope is to outrun them. That’s when his engineer informs him that the mad dash through stormy seas burned out the engines.
Three months later, hurricane season is over and the One Oh Oh Four, along with its captain and crew have vanished. Well, almost. Vague reports have been trickling in of a mysterious ship roaming the gulf. Some claim to have been waylaid and robbed at sea by a ghostly, white-haired captain, sailing a murky gray ship bearing the numbers One Oh Oh Four across her bow. Some say Johnny Trescott’s uneasy spirit scours the sea for loot. Others say he threw in with the smugglers and the ghost act is just a put-on. But sometimes truth can be stranger than fiction, and if only they knew.
L Ron Hubbard really is one of the most versatile authors I have had the pleasure of reading. Air adventures, sea adventures, stories of war, and tales of ancient tombs, Hubbard does it all with equal enthusiasm and finesse.
Galaxy Audio is producing more than 200 of Hubbard’s golden age stories from the 1930’s and 40’s, creating full-cast audio enhanced with music and sound effects. I was particularly impressed with The Phantom Patrol . During the rescue scene, I was treated to howling winds, crashing waves, and booming thunder. The stereo sound effects really put you right in the middle of the action..
The Phantom Patrol features R F Daley as the main narrator. The remaining characters are portrayed by the voice talents of Galaxy Audio regulars Phil Proctor and Jim Meskimen, along with Shane Johnson, Kristin Proctor, Thomas Silcott, and Michael Yurchak. Again, the full-cast production brings the story to life, giving it the feel of an old time radio program. I thought that Kristin Proctor was particularly good, sounding very natural in her narration.
The Phantom Patrol makes some good summer reading. It’s a thrilling story and production, and at only 2 hours it’s a good way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon.
Steven Brandt @ Audiobook-Heaven
June 24, 2013
Thanks to LibraryThing for awarding me this book through its giveaway!
The Story.
Rescuing a downed transport plane is the last thing Johnny Trescott wants to do – especially now, right when he’s on the trail of Georges Coquelin, the dope-smuggling pirate of the gulf. But he’s a member of the Coast Guard patrol, and disaster response is his first duty.
Johnny stays on the radio with the downed plane as the pilot guides him to his location. But just as he arrives at the wreckage, Coquelin himself turns up, ready to ravage the plane and kidnap Johnny. Heavily outnumbered in a bad storm, there’s nothing Johnny can do. He is captured.
Can Johnny escape from Coquelin before his reputation is destroyed?
Discussion.
My opinions of The Phantom Patrol are mainly a reiteration of my opinion of The Iron Duke. It’s pulp fiction of the least developed sort – there is no attention paid to the mechanics of the story, and the only focus is the dare devil bravado of the main character, Johnny Trescott. The writing is stereotypical and the story has not even the charming originality of The Iron Duke to recommend it.
Despite this harsh assessment of The Phantom Patrol's pretensions as literature, I still enjoyed The Phantom Patrol as a tribute to adventure fiction.
Conclusion. Stereotypical adventure fiction.
Visit The Blithering Bookster to read more reviews!
http://blitheringbookster.com/home/ca...
The Story.
Rescuing a downed transport plane is the last thing Johnny Trescott wants to do – especially now, right when he’s on the trail of Georges Coquelin, the dope-smuggling pirate of the gulf. But he’s a member of the Coast Guard patrol, and disaster response is his first duty.
Johnny stays on the radio with the downed plane as the pilot guides him to his location. But just as he arrives at the wreckage, Coquelin himself turns up, ready to ravage the plane and kidnap Johnny. Heavily outnumbered in a bad storm, there’s nothing Johnny can do. He is captured.
Can Johnny escape from Coquelin before his reputation is destroyed?
Discussion.
My opinions of The Phantom Patrol are mainly a reiteration of my opinion of The Iron Duke. It’s pulp fiction of the least developed sort – there is no attention paid to the mechanics of the story, and the only focus is the dare devil bravado of the main character, Johnny Trescott. The writing is stereotypical and the story has not even the charming originality of The Iron Duke to recommend it.
Despite this harsh assessment of The Phantom Patrol's pretensions as literature, I still enjoyed The Phantom Patrol as a tribute to adventure fiction.
Conclusion. Stereotypical adventure fiction.
Visit The Blithering Bookster to read more reviews!
http://blitheringbookster.com/home/ca...
July 20, 2013
When I first received these books through the post I was so excited, seeing the excellent graphics on the covers took me back to my childhood and the memories of running up to the newsagent on a Saturday to read the latest edition of the Victor and the Commando.
The eye catching covers made me want to read them immediately and see if the written word reflected the graphics and I wasn't disappointed as they were full of excitement and adventure as well as having original artwork through the book.
Both books contained five short stories which were written in simple text with excellent descriptions of the characters and scenes allowing you to envisage yourself being there. Each story carries a moral for the reader to use which ever way he sees fit.
Because these stories reminded me of my youth, where after reading similar stories my friend and I would re enact the adventures in our gardens, I just wish there was a lot more of these type of publications which would speak to the kids of today and inspire their imagination instead of playing the games on a computer.
The books will appeal to readers of all ages, transporting the older generation back to their youth and enable them to share their past with the younger ones of today and would make an excellent bed time story for any inspiring young adventurer.
Seeing this book cover and the amount of time and sheer effort, as well as a lot of care, that it has taken to produce them makes me believe and hope that the written book will survive forever.
The eye catching covers made me want to read them immediately and see if the written word reflected the graphics and I wasn't disappointed as they were full of excitement and adventure as well as having original artwork through the book.
Both books contained five short stories which were written in simple text with excellent descriptions of the characters and scenes allowing you to envisage yourself being there. Each story carries a moral for the reader to use which ever way he sees fit.
Because these stories reminded me of my youth, where after reading similar stories my friend and I would re enact the adventures in our gardens, I just wish there was a lot more of these type of publications which would speak to the kids of today and inspire their imagination instead of playing the games on a computer.
The books will appeal to readers of all ages, transporting the older generation back to their youth and enable them to share their past with the younger ones of today and would make an excellent bed time story for any inspiring young adventurer.
Seeing this book cover and the amount of time and sheer effort, as well as a lot of care, that it has taken to produce them makes me believe and hope that the written book will survive forever.
July 14, 2013
(received as an Advance Reader Copy, a.k.a. "Galley" copy)
Originally published in the January 1935 issue of "Five Novels," The Phantom Patrol details the story of Johnny Trescott, a Coast Guard CPO on the trail of dope runners. He receives an SOS from a transport plane that is crashed and sinking. Unfortunately for Johnny, the dope runners receive the same SOS and are there to meet him. Johnny and his crew are in for far more than they bargained for when they arrive at the downed airplane.
This is a typical example of pulp fiction from one of the genre's greatest, L. Ron Hubbard, who was also the founder of the Church of Scientology. Although I do enjoy a good pulp fiction read, I am not necessarily considered a fanatic of such works. However, this one kept my interest throughout the entire book, which is no small feat since the elements of the story (Coast Guard chasing after dope runners in the 1930s) wouldn't have necessarily attracted my interest otherwise. The story gets right to the action with minimal character development or backstory (two things I usually enjoy and appreciate in fiction). All said, it was an enjoyable book, perfect for a quick summer read or for light reading amongst heavier works of fiction. Highly recommended to fans of the pulp fiction and action genres.
Originally published in the January 1935 issue of "Five Novels," The Phantom Patrol details the story of Johnny Trescott, a Coast Guard CPO on the trail of dope runners. He receives an SOS from a transport plane that is crashed and sinking. Unfortunately for Johnny, the dope runners receive the same SOS and are there to meet him. Johnny and his crew are in for far more than they bargained for when they arrive at the downed airplane.
This is a typical example of pulp fiction from one of the genre's greatest, L. Ron Hubbard, who was also the founder of the Church of Scientology. Although I do enjoy a good pulp fiction read, I am not necessarily considered a fanatic of such works. However, this one kept my interest throughout the entire book, which is no small feat since the elements of the story (Coast Guard chasing after dope runners in the 1930s) wouldn't have necessarily attracted my interest otherwise. The story gets right to the action with minimal character development or backstory (two things I usually enjoy and appreciate in fiction). All said, it was an enjoyable book, perfect for a quick summer read or for light reading amongst heavier works of fiction. Highly recommended to fans of the pulp fiction and action genres.
December 10, 2011
I liked this one despite discovering that I'm not much of a noir adventure fiction fan. I've perused a few romances from the time period and enjoyed what I saw, but this is a little different. Still this was a snappy little tale of mistaken identity as Coast Guard petty officer Johnny Trescott has his ship stolen from him by a pirate who then impersonates Trescott in order to gain access to the ships he wants to rob. When Trescott manages to escape from the pirate's custody, the authorities assume he's the one who's been robbing all these ship. Trescott realizes that in order to clear his name he must escape from jail and bring the pirate to justice on his own.
The story is short and the presentation is really classy, including lots of supplementary material: a glossary of period terms, background information on L. Ron Hubbard's career as one of the premiere pulp writers, and a list of other books in the Stories From the Golden Age series. If you've got a pulp fiction fan in your life, any title from this series seems like a good investment. Otherwise, make sure you like the genre before committing yourself.
The story is short and the presentation is really classy, including lots of supplementary material: a glossary of period terms, background information on L. Ron Hubbard's career as one of the premiere pulp writers, and a list of other books in the Stories From the Golden Age series. If you've got a pulp fiction fan in your life, any title from this series seems like a good investment. Otherwise, make sure you like the genre before committing yourself.
April 7, 2013
Whew! This one gets right into the heart of the story and of the action immediately! I was enraptured right from the start. The sound of the pouring rain, the waves crashing, and yes, even the characters yelling and cursing as they fought the storm sucked me right in at the very beginning of the story. L. Ron Hubbard is a master at getting the story started at a very fast pace.
I liked the actors in this one a lot. The life and vibrancy they brought into the characters was so refreshing, and I appreciated that the female lead wasn’t whiny or high pitched. Each character was very likable, and I found myself panicking with them, worrying for them, and otherwise feeling a part of the story. My 10-year old daughter even came in when I was listening and sat down with me, jabbering excitedly about how good it was. (Jabbering so much that I had to replay some of the story later, but that’s something else entirely!:-))
I’m giving The Phantom Patrol by L. Ron Hubbard, produced by Golden Age Stories, 5 stars: I loved it!
I liked the actors in this one a lot. The life and vibrancy they brought into the characters was so refreshing, and I appreciated that the female lead wasn’t whiny or high pitched. Each character was very likable, and I found myself panicking with them, worrying for them, and otherwise feeling a part of the story. My 10-year old daughter even came in when I was listening and sat down with me, jabbering excitedly about how good it was. (Jabbering so much that I had to replay some of the story later, but that’s something else entirely!:-))
I’m giving The Phantom Patrol by L. Ron Hubbard, produced by Golden Age Stories, 5 stars: I loved it!
July 10, 2013
This audio book was quite ell done. The book was written well.
For those who wish to reflect back to "the goo dole' days", it
is a delightful story of ships, Coast Guard, Gangsters, and
some slight romance. The setting is during early part of the
20th century It reminds one of the nostalgia of radio broadcasts
just before TV infiltrated most homes. A time when the excitement
of narration and sound effects over the radio penetrated each home
during an evening of relaxation.
This is a novella about some men of the Coast Guard answering a
distress call of another ship during a storm. The story goes from
there to piracy, abduction, framing of victims, violence, romance,
and suspense.
It would be enjoyable to those who can relate. I am not certain
a younger audience would appreciate the book but perhaps the audio book.
I won this through A Library Thing giveaway. I give thanks to them and
Ron for their generosity.
For those who wish to reflect back to "the goo dole' days", it
is a delightful story of ships, Coast Guard, Gangsters, and
some slight romance. The setting is during early part of the
20th century It reminds one of the nostalgia of radio broadcasts
just before TV infiltrated most homes. A time when the excitement
of narration and sound effects over the radio penetrated each home
during an evening of relaxation.
This is a novella about some men of the Coast Guard answering a
distress call of another ship during a storm. The story goes from
there to piracy, abduction, framing of victims, violence, romance,
and suspense.
It would be enjoyable to those who can relate. I am not certain
a younger audience would appreciate the book but perhaps the audio book.
I won this through A Library Thing giveaway. I give thanks to them and
Ron for their generosity.
July 21, 2013
This was the first piece of L. Ron Hubbard's fiction I have been exposed to, and while I have plenty to say about his nutty religious and psychological creations, I must say that as a pulp writer he's not bad.
Like most pulp, the characters are very black and white and the dialogue is a bit cheesy, but that's part of the charm behind the best pulp fiction, especially in what Galaxy Press calls the "Golden Age."
The story is interesting. Not many writers go the Coast Guard route, so it was interesting to see one small crew square off with this over-the-top pulp villain leading a piracy and drug running business.
This is an audiobook, which I've never really been a big fan of, but this one was put together with a full cast, music, and sound effects along with the standard narration. It played much more like a radio play, which I do enjoy.
Got this as a First Reads giveaway.
Like most pulp, the characters are very black and white and the dialogue is a bit cheesy, but that's part of the charm behind the best pulp fiction, especially in what Galaxy Press calls the "Golden Age."
The story is interesting. Not many writers go the Coast Guard route, so it was interesting to see one small crew square off with this over-the-top pulp villain leading a piracy and drug running business.
This is an audiobook, which I've never really been a big fan of, but this one was put together with a full cast, music, and sound effects along with the standard narration. It played much more like a radio play, which I do enjoy.
Got this as a First Reads giveaway.
April 12, 2012
Duration: Approximately 2 hours
Multicast Performance
Published by Galaxy Press
First published in 1935, The Phantom Patrol is part of a large series of books and stories that are being re-published by Galaxy Press as part of their Golden Age Stories series. In reality, they are a collection of L. Ron Hubbard's early works that were published in magazines and as pulp fiction books. Hubbard was a prolific writer and he wrote a lot of action stories that translate quite well into the multicast performance audiobook format.
The Phantom Patrol is the story of Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Johnny Trescott who commands a patrol boat looking for drug smugglers off of the coast of Louisiana. He and his small crew have been working for months to catch...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2012/...
Multicast Performance
Published by Galaxy Press
First published in 1935, The Phantom Patrol is part of a large series of books and stories that are being re-published by Galaxy Press as part of their Golden Age Stories series. In reality, they are a collection of L. Ron Hubbard's early works that were published in magazines and as pulp fiction books. Hubbard was a prolific writer and he wrote a lot of action stories that translate quite well into the multicast performance audiobook format.
The Phantom Patrol is the story of Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Johnny Trescott who commands a patrol boat looking for drug smugglers off of the coast of Louisiana. He and his small crew have been working for months to catch...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2012/...
August 4, 2014
THE PHANTOM PATROL is a short adventure novel from 1935, very nicely performed with sound effects and music as an audiobook here in the "Stories from the Golden Age" series from Galaxy Press. The story is one of those timeless tales that could as easily be set a thousand years in the future or the past; a brave young Coast Guard officer has to pull off a rescue of passengers of a downed plane from ruthless, drug-smuggling pirates. It's a stock plot, strong on action and adventure, a little short on characterization, and my first inclination was to say three stars here but I'm going with four because it's very well performed, and because one of the plot twists is quite unconventional for its day; at one point the hero has to be rescued by the lovely air hostess who's set up to appear to be nothing more than the damsel-in-distress. It's a fun story.
February 8, 2014
Mr. Hubbard's books always have the aura of coziness and warmth.
They take me back to a foggy past of memories: me at my parents' side on the couch, too young to follow the plot of the movie on the white and black screen, but old enough to grasp the intensity of action, the innocence of love, and the suspense of the unknown turning clearer by the end.
I feel some longing when I read or listen to his books.
Yet at this age, no more fog! I see the plot (occasionally, ..even predict it!), but my feelings are the same: fear for the hero or the heroine, anticipation for the next curve, and happiness and relief with the expected happy ending.
Just as I said, ... coziness and warmth!
Read The Phantom Patrol, and you will see and feel what I mean!
They take me back to a foggy past of memories: me at my parents' side on the couch, too young to follow the plot of the movie on the white and black screen, but old enough to grasp the intensity of action, the innocence of love, and the suspense of the unknown turning clearer by the end.
I feel some longing when I read or listen to his books.
Yet at this age, no more fog! I see the plot (occasionally, ..even predict it!), but my feelings are the same: fear for the hero or the heroine, anticipation for the next curve, and happiness and relief with the expected happy ending.
Just as I said, ... coziness and warmth!
Read The Phantom Patrol, and you will see and feel what I mean!
July 30, 2013
Alrighty... let's get this clear, this is pulp fiction. If you aren't familiar with the term (not the movie) look it up. It is corny, melodramatic and has highly stereotyped male and female leads. Now let's move on. Listen to this with a slightly ironic ear, but enjoy it and pretend it is just radio theater. If you expect any more than that, you'll be sorely disappointed. There's a very good reason that this is not on high school reading lists nowadays. By an objective measure, it's bad. With the slightly ironic ear and low expectations, you can subjectively say that it's good enough for a listen on a long car ride. They certainly did nail the radio theater style!
June 22, 2013
Received the 2 CD Audio-Book from the Goodreads First-Reads Giveaway site.
Adventure on the High Seas, oh yeah!
I really enjoyed kicking back and relaxing while listening to this story performed by a multicast.
And, honestly, I was afraid this would bore me to sleep and I was thrilled when it didn't.
Instead it kept my rapt attention until the very end.
Adventure on the High Seas, oh yeah!
I really enjoyed kicking back and relaxing while listening to this story performed by a multicast.
And, honestly, I was afraid this would bore me to sleep and I was thrilled when it didn't.
Instead it kept my rapt attention until the very end.
June 19, 2013
I won this in a library thing give-away. This is the 3rd audio recording, I have reviewed by L. Ron Hubbard. About 2 hours long, these re-published pulp novels are a fun fast read/listen. From the hay day of pulp fiction. The multi-cast recording makes the action really pop. I really enjoy listening to the series. Great for a short car trip or while working out in the yard.
June 27, 2013
I got this from good reads and I loved it! I have about a 30 mintue drive to work. I listened to it to and fro. It reminded me of the old radio serials. I was actually sad when it was over because I enjoyed it so much. I would suggest this to anyone who had a bit of a road trip. :)
June 24, 2013
I received this through First Reads. While this genre is not my usual choice I did find the CDs to be well produced. Much more easy to listen to than a standard audio book. The action kept me listening, and in the end I would say I am very happy to add this book to my library.
July 16, 2013
a good book to try out the writings of L. Ron Hubbard. now i know i will not have to endure anymore of his writings.
July 7, 2013
This book is more enjoyable for its nature as a novelty than anything else - the plot is flimsy, the characters nothing but weak stock characters, and the language is extremely dated.
July 13, 2013
The narration of this audiobook was wonderful. I felt like I was really in the action. I enjoyed listening to this wonderful novel.
December 20, 2016
Pulp adventure. Just like it says on the box.
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