The Phantom Patrol

by L. Ron Hubbard

Overview

The story of Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Johnny Trescott. A man 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. He’s cunning has always outwitted his antagonists, but now the odds have turned and he must pull off the ultimate drug bust. An adversary that has emerged from the deep blue. Johnny has met his match.

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.

“Nonstop action and a hero to root for.” —Publishers Weekly

* An International Book Awards Finalists

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781592123278
Publisher:	Galaxy Press, LLC
Publication date:	06/21/2011
Series:	Military & War Short Stories Collection
Edition description:	Special ed.
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	1,179,126
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	610L (what's this?)
Age Range:	11 Years

About the Author

With 19 New York Times bestsellers and more than 350 million copies of his works in circulation, L. Ron Hubbard is among the most acclaimed and widely read authors of our time. As a leading light of American Pulp Fiction through the 1930s and '40s, he is further among the most influential authors of the modern age. Indeed, from Ray Bradbury to Stephen King, there is scarcely a master of imaginative tales who has not paid tribute to L. Ron Hubbard.

Editorial Reviews

Hubbard was a popular writer of the pulp fiction era, and this short novel, first published in the January 1935 issue of Five Novels magazine, shows why: it features nonstop action and a hero to root for. Coast Guard skipper Johnny Trescott, who's hot on the trail of drug-runner Georges Coquelin, changes course to answer an SOS from wealthy James Ferguson, whose plane has ditched in the Gulf of Mexico. Unfortunately, Georges arrives at the scene in time to kidnap Ferguson and shanghai Johnny, his crew, and his boat. Johnny eventually escapes, only to find that piracies Georges committed with Johnny's Coast Guard scow are being blamed on him. Though much of the writing is generic, the story moves briskly and maximizes the scenes of gunplay and hand-to-hand combat. Hubbard knew how to fulfill reader expectations for this sort of tale. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

"Before writing the best-selling book that made him known to the world, Hubbard was a prolific writer of pulp fiction, including detective stories, westerns, sf/fantasy, and adventure....After an action-packed opening on stormy seas, this has everything you'd expect, from false accusations to daring escapes to a pretty gal who knows how to take care of herself." —Booklist

"Hubbard was a popular writer of the pulp fiction era, and this short novel, first published in the January 1935 issue of Five Novels magazine, shows why: it features nonstop action and a hero to root for….Though much of the writing is generic, the story moves briskly and maximizes the scenes of gunplay and hand-to-hand combat. Hubbard knew how to fulfill reader expectations for this sort of tale." —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

This full-cast production (with most of the actors pulling double or triple duty) of Hubbard's pulp thriller follows the briny exploits of Johnny Trescott, a fearless, nail-tough U.S Coast Guard CPO and skipper of Patrol Boat 1004. While in pursuit of notorious drug smuggler Georges Coquelin, Johnny receives an SOS when the plane containing money-bags businessman James Ferguson and his knockout assistant, Alicia Reynolds, ditches at sea. Johnny forgoes the chase knowing that Ferguson would fetch a steep ransom and that the smugglers will surely try to reach the plane first. Johnny makes the rescue, but Georges and his baddies get the drop on him and take Johnny, his crew, and the rescued flyers hostage. Having the 1004 and Coast Guard uniforms at his disposal, Georges begins raiding and looting ships, leaving the captive Johnny and his sailors to take the blame and face hanging. But Johnny, his mate Heinie Swartz, and the alluring Alicia decide to escape—even if it means death! This is a rip-roaring, old-fashioned adventure like the kind they don't make any more. A blast for Hubbard fans and pulp fiction lovers.—Mike Rogers, Library Journal

Library Journal

Galaxy Press releases another exciting adventure set in the 1930s. This time listeners are treated to piracy on the high seas near New Orleans. The crew of Coast Guard Cruiser CG-1004 is plagued by the Phantom, Georges Coquelin, who abducts and ransoms the rich. The cast of characters includes the gravelly voiced Chief Petty Officer Johnny Trescott; a fearless, strong-voiced airline hostess who is rescued from a plane that crashes into stormy seas; and weak-voiced, spineless Jim Ferguson, who is kidnapped by the Phantom. Roaring winds, ship engines, and machine-gun fire are just some of the sound effects in this suspenseful audiobook. The host of characters, voices, and sound effects makes this exciting adventure come to life. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

JUNE 2012 - AudioFile