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A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea
The heroic tale of the man held captive by Somali pirates and the inspiration for the major motion picture
Captain Phillips
starring Tom Hanks.
It was just another day on the job for fifty-three-year-old Richard Phillips, captain of the Maersk Alabama, the United States-flagged cargo ship which was carrying, among other 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 began the tense five-day stand-off, which ended in a daring high-seas rescue when U.S. Navy SEALs opened fire and picked off three of the captors.
A story 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 put 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 the moment where training meets instinct and where character is everything. Richard Phillips was ready.
"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." ―Former President Barack Obama
It was just another day on the job for fifty-three-year-old Richard Phillips, captain of the Maersk Alabama, the United States-flagged cargo ship which was carrying, among other 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 began the tense five-day stand-off, which ended in a daring high-seas rescue when U.S. Navy SEALs opened fire and picked off three of the captors.
A story 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 put 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 the moment where training meets instinct and where character is everything. Richard Phillips was ready.
"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." ―Former President Barack Obama
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 8, 2026
Pretty insufferable, smartest guy in the room type. I was rooting for the Somalis man . This coulda been 40 pages why do I have to hear about your generic ass life for well over half the book.
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August 21, 2026Fascinating!
Different from the movie but good to get the true story. Appreciated his thankfulness to God and the US military.
Different from the movie but good to get the true story. Appreciated his thankfulness to God and the US military.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews