The Three Musketeers: Timeless Classics

Written by Alexandre Dumas

Narrated by Saddleback Educational Publishing

The young man has only one dream- join the brave company of the king's musketeers. Will he be clever and daring enough to make his dream come true? He rides into Paris on his old, broken-down horse. A world of adventure is just ahead.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Saddleback Educational Publishing
• Release date: Jan 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781612475226

Alexandre Dumas

Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870), one of the most universally read French authors, is best known for his extravagantly adventurous historical novels. As a young man, Dumas emerged as a successful playwright and had considerable involvement in the Parisian theater scene. It was his swashbuckling historical novels that brought worldwide fame to Dumas. Among his most loved works are The Three Musketeers (1844), and The Count of Monte Cristo (1846). He wrote more than 250 books, both Fiction and Non-Fiction, during his lifetime.

Reviews for The Three Musketeers

[anguirus · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked it until the end.

[kuiperdolin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Un excellent roman, bien meilleur que toutes ses adaptations, et dominé par le remarquable personnage de Milady de Winter. Une histoire particulièrement sombre et triste à bien y regarder, loin du cape et d'épée clichetoneux.

[zoes_human · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I just couldn't finish it. D'Artagnan is a swaggering ass (or at least he starts out that way), and Dumas writes so well that it's like actually having a douchebag right there in the room with you. I don't need to read a book for that experience; I can just leave my house.

[greymowser · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A great and sad adventure.

[gunnargrey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As swashbuckling as I remember, even though it's been several decades since I'd read this classic. Did find myself skimming through the chapters with Milady's verbal seduction of her jailer; brilliantly done, but it went on for too long, IMO. The ending's perfect. One star down for the skimming.

[dbsovereign · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Trust and honor and the fellowship of battle against wrong. It's as though the characters always keep saying, "Stick with me and you'll be safe."

[quondame · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lawrence Ellswoth's new translations (2018) of the classic provides a humorous and fast moving telling, though except for the multiple demonstrations of their, when not otherwise required for the plot, exemplary fighting skills, I found the virtues of the characters entirely show rather than tell. The titular 3 drink, eat, fritter and gamble away any funds that enter their hands - or their friends' hands - and treat woman as sources of funds or outlets of momentary exuberance. D'Artagnan seems a bit more judicious as to funds on his own, but his behavior to Kitty and even Milady is that of a complete cad. Ah, well, it is full of swash and buckle and derring-do.

[judygibson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great adventure, and I had no idea it would be so humorous!

[bangerlm · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Dumas is great at plot twists, but the "four" musketeers were all jerks.

[jazz1987-395186 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas is a long but very good novel; especially in storytelling. I liked how it was full of sword fighting, romance, adventure, and religion. I was surprised to see a lot about the French Wars of Religion (1562-1598) mentioned ad how the Catholics, Huguenots, and Puritans played into the novel. Lastly, I liked how Athos, Porthos, and Aramis were more like early versions of superheroes than just average characters.

[lukegoldstein · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Tearing through this book in a matter of six days (while working full time) i can easily say that this sordid tale of intrigue, deception, loyalty and love holds one of the most evil and mischevious female characters in literary history, Lady de Winter (otherwise known as Milady for first two-thirds of the book). The death and chaos that she leavs in the wake of her porcelain and dainty feet astounds the reader and makes you pray for vengence. I will say i was a little surprised at how the vengence was timed and what was allowed to take place before it, but it just goes to show some of the differences between todays writers and those of years past (about 150 years past to be exact). I personally loved this book and i will most likely find more by Dumas to devour with pleasure.

[kristelh_15 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Read for the first time. I am pretty sure I had never read it but probably saw various movies that were based on the book. The story of 4 men, three musketeers and a young man, d'Artagran who is an intern. The setting is France during the 1600s. The novel, while an adventure and romance, has a political setting. It is a time of religious upheaval with Luther and Calvin. Louis XIII is the king of France and Richelieu is cardinal who had control over the government and power over Louis XIII. In this setting, the story is of the three musketeers Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. The musketeers and d'artagran are caught up in a political conspiracy launched by the Cardinal. This is a an enjoyable, entertaining story as an adventure ought to be.

[jamiem12 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

With no spoilers im gonna say, This has a tad of mystery a tad of romance, a scoundrel or 2, a hero and a heroine, morals both right and wrong. Its everything all wrapped into one, Laughter and tears! A true classic good for any book nerd!

[mickyfine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A six episode audio drama adaptation of the classic novel. A really excellent listen full of drama, romance, and plenty of swashbuckling. All of the cast do an excellent job of distinguishing themselves in their roles and listening to this version has had me add the original print version to my want to read list.

[ladycato · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not all old books have held up--The Three Musketeers has. Yes, you can tell Dumas was paid by the word, but even so, wow, could he write. The book abounds with action, adventure, wit, and romance. I love how distinctly he wrote the characters--men and women--and made them far more realistic and nuanced than I expected. (Alas, movies versions make the cardinal into a mustache-twirling evil dude, and he's not written that way at all.)This finishes up my personal challenge to read a classic book every month of the year. I plan to read more of Dumas in 2020!

[haloedrain · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I almost put it down in the beginning, despite the better translation, when the only thing that happens is d'Artagnan getting into duels with every single person he meets. The story did become interesting after a while, but the characters really weren't (with the exception of Milady).

And can you use the term "fridging" for a book that takes place prior to the invention of the refrigerator?

[atdcross · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The plot was more intrigue, perhaps like a political spy novel of a sort, than swashbuckling, but very entertaining, nevertheless.Dumas starts a bit less than the first quarter of the book introducing his characters in humorous fashion. Then, it becomes steadily more serious with each passing page, and from the humorous to the grave and dark, while the characters seem to grow, especially D'Artagnan, from irresponsible seeming like children to men handling the affairs and maintaining their character as men, proud, yet honest men. A character study each person would be quite interesting.The ending was a bit gruesome.Dumas' writing is genius and conveys much of the sense of that is most of all challenged in the story is a man's honor. It inspires one to accept honor as something of value to die for; and, it's anonymous translation, whenever the book is put down, inspires one to speak in proper English.

[jon1lambert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

D'Artagnan, Gascon on his unlikely yellow nag gets into a spot of bother with a stranger in Meung. The latter flees with a beautiful lady. D'Artagnan goes to Paris and obtains an audience with M. De Treville, the captain of the King's musketeers who need to be differentiated from the Cardinal's (Richelieu) musketeers.He bumps into three musketeers - literally - Athos, Porthos and Aramis and after petty incidents is challenged to duel with each of them, The duels do not take place as the four team up against some of the Cardinal's men and wreak havoc. I'm out of breath already!

[krizia_lazaro_3 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

After re-reading it (read it back when I was in grade 4 for a book report), I decided to give it 2 stars. I did not like any of the characters maybe except for Lady De Winter (who is smart, beautiful and evil villaneiss). The musketeers are arrogant, rowdy and unprofessional for my taste.

[5eva5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The adventures of d'Artagnan after he leaves home to join the Musketeers of the Guard where he befriends the three most formidable musketeers of the age and gets involved in the many intrigues of the state. This is a favorite of mine since childhood, but this was my first read of the full version (having only read abridged versions for children previously) and it is quite long (and has numerous footnotes), but just as fun and exciting as I was hoping it would be. I absolutely love the exaggerated characters who are so ludicrously gung-ho about their causes, whether they are heroes or villains; Milady deserves a special mention since she is so uncommonly wicked that you can't help but laugh at all her schemes. My copy is a Pevear translation, which is faithful, but perhaps not as elegant as other translations.

[theidlewoman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The classic swashbuckler; I would have to give this edition a mere four stars, however, because there were elements of the translation that I found rather clumsy and which jarred. Only elements, though; most of the book is an unmitigated delight.

[john257hopper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a re-read of this most famous of Dumas novels, featuring the derring do of the title characters and their young friend and would be fellow musketeer D'Artagnan, one of the most famous characters in French literature. I remembered almost no detail from my first read nearly twenty years ago. While this is light-hearted and quite comical in places, there are also dramatic passages, episodes of cruelty and horror, and a splendid female villain. The illustrations are well done too. This is a splendidly enjoyable novel that can appeal to readers of all ages.

[judithproctor · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'd been looking for a good modern translation and this is it. The text flows well and I really appreciated the historical references at the back (though I'd have loved them even more if they were footnotes and I didn't have to keep flicking to the back pages).The story races along. The musketeers are far from being the most ethical of men by modern standards, but we love them anyway. (The TV version tones down Porthos's love of expensive clothes, Athos's drinking, everyone's gambling, etc.)

[datrappert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Some classic novels are hard to slog through. This is an adventure tale that more than lives up to its billing. Although it is a long book, the author doesn't waste a lot of time with long passages where nothing is happening. This is a real page turner, with incredible heroes, and really despicable villains.

[parp-4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good read for young people.

[garrison0550 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it, of course! Really, how could you not!

[lukerik-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

WARNING: This book is highly addictive. It contains extremely high levels of swashbuckling. There are also some very funny scenes. Dogtagnan's first meeting with his landlord is particularly well done. The construction is impressive: it's manages to be episodic without losing sight of the plot.

[trgllylibrarian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Now that I have finally read this book, I think I understand France a bit better.

[vibrantminds · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Kings Musketeers, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and their dealings to protect Queen Anne from the Cardinal and his spies most prominently, Milady. With the help of the young d'Artagnan who very much wants to be one of the Musketeers the adventures come forth. The first half of the book tends to drag a bit but by the middle to the end was a pleasant read.

[leslie398 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful historical fiction -- the exciting adventures of four loyal companions who fight to save the Queen of France from the machinations of Cardinal Richelieu. If you have enjoyed any of the Three Musketeer movies, you should try the book -- much more depth and lots of little subplots that add to the enjoyment. Dumas's prose is extremely readable.