
Girl at Sea
Stories of Courage, Strength, and Learning from One of the First Women to Serve on US Warships
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $24.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Tiffany Morgan
About this listen
A naval officer's memoir about finding one's voice.
Women have bravely served in the US Navy for nearly a century, but they have been allowed to serve in combat roles for only the last 25 years. When the combat exclusion law was lifted in 1993, women in the navy soon had a new range of opportunities available to them. The repeal of the law finally gave women the chance to serve on combatant ships for the first time. Among the first women to step onto these warships as a new crewmember was Joanna Sprtel Walters. In her memoir, Girl at Sea, she shares her story beginning with training at the US Naval Academy through her service in the fleet aboard combatant warships.
As a member of the class of 1994, she was among the first group of women out of the academy to have selected warfare specialties. This real-life account sheds light on a groundbreaking time in our country's history as gender barriers continue to be torn down within all divisions of our armed forces.
Walters' story will resonate with anyone who has ever had to bump their head against a glass ceiling and then fight their way through it. Her story covers difficult topics such as a sexual assault and extortion case at the end of her time at the academy; struggling to prove herself on a ship where men felt women were invading their spaces; earning the hard-fought respect of her first division; recovering from the career suicide of engaging in a forbidden relationship; fighting to stay in the navy and then thriving in the most difficult of environments; and her eventual blossoming into a strong division officer with an MBA under her belt. Through her successes and failures, Walters hopes to inspire others to reach beyond what they thought they were capable of and find their own inner strength.
©2015 Joanna Sprtel Walters (P)2015 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Be Bold
- How a Marine Hero Broke the Glass Ceiling for Women at War
- By: Tom Sileo
- Narrated by: Jonathan Todd Ross, Susan Bennett
- Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Major Megan McClung is the first female United States Naval Academy graduate to be killed in action since the school’s 1845 founding and the highest-ranking female U.S. Marine Corps officer to die during the Iraq war. Be Bold is Megan’s inspirational story of defying steep odds, making the ultimate sacrifice and paving the way for a new era of women at war.
-
-
amazing story.
- By Anonymous User on 03-10-24
By: Tom Sileo
-
Speak
- Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
- By: Tunde Oyeneyin
- Narrated by: Tunde Oyeneyin
- Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On any given day, thousands of devoted people clip into their bikes and have their lives changed by Tunde Oyeneyin. From her platform in a Peloton studio, she encourages riders with her trademark blend of positivity, empathy, and motivational “Tunde-isms,” to push themselves to their limits both on and off the bike. Now, fans and readers everywhere can learn about her personal journey, and discover how they too can “live a life of purpose, on purpose” with Speak, a memoir-manifesto-guide to life inspired by her immensely popular Instagram Live series of the same name.
-
-
Your story is your story
- By sydney Webster on 07-04-22
By: Tunde Oyeneyin
-
We Were Dreamers
- An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story
- By: Simu Liu
- Narrated by: Simu Liu
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The star of Marvel’s first Asian superhero film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, tells his own origin story of being a Chinese immigrant, his battles with cultural stereotypes and his own identity, becoming a TV star, and landing the role of a lifetime.
-
-
This Asian-American Approves.
- By Jasmine Y. on 06-04-22
By: Simu Liu
-
In the Water They Can't See You Cry
- A Memoir
- By: Amanda Beard, Rebecca Paley
- Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the tender age of 14, Amanda Beard walked onto the pool deck at the Atlanta Olympics carrying her teddy bear, Harold, and left with two silvers and a gold medal. She competed in three more Olympic games, winning a total of seven medals, and enjoyed a lucrative modeling career on the side. At one point, she was the most downloaded female athlete on the Internet. Yet despite her astonishing career and sex-symbol status, Amanda felt unworthy of all her success. Unaware that she was suffering from clinical depression, she hid the pain beneath a megawatt smile.
-
-
I applaud Amanda - but her editor's were lame
- By Heather on 03-10-15
By: Amanda Beard, and others
-
Wildflower
- By: Drew Barrymore
- Narrated by: Drew Barrymore
- Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Wildflower is a portrait of Drew's life in stories as she looks back on the adventures, challenges, and incredible experiences of her earlier years. It includes tales of living on her own at 14 (and how laundry may have saved her life), getting stuck in a gas station overhang on a cross-country road trip, saying good-bye to her father in a way only he could have understood, and many more adventures and lessons that have led her to the successful, happy, and healthy place she is today.
-
-
Hold the shrieking !
- By Dawne on 11-27-15
By: Drew Barrymore
-
Beyond Belief
- My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape
- By: Jenna Miscavige Hill
- Narrated by: Sandy Rustin
- Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jenna Miscavige Hill, niece of Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige, was raised as a Scientologist but left the controversial religion in 2005. In Beyond Belief, she shares her true story of life inside the upper ranks of the sect, details her experiences as a member Sea Org - the church's highest ministry - speaks of her "disconnection" from family outside of the organization, and tells the story of her ultimate escape.
-
-
The Despicable Truth Behind Scientology
- By Tim on 02-07-13
-
Be Bold
- How a Marine Hero Broke the Glass Ceiling for Women at War
- By: Tom Sileo
- Narrated by: Jonathan Todd Ross, Susan Bennett
- Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Major Megan McClung is the first female United States Naval Academy graduate to be killed in action since the school’s 1845 founding and the highest-ranking female U.S. Marine Corps officer to die during the Iraq war. Be Bold is Megan’s inspirational story of defying steep odds, making the ultimate sacrifice and paving the way for a new era of women at war.
-
-
amazing story.
- By Anonymous User on 03-10-24
By: Tom Sileo
-
Speak
- Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
- By: Tunde Oyeneyin
- Narrated by: Tunde Oyeneyin
- Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On any given day, thousands of devoted people clip into their bikes and have their lives changed by Tunde Oyeneyin. From her platform in a Peloton studio, she encourages riders with her trademark blend of positivity, empathy, and motivational “Tunde-isms,” to push themselves to their limits both on and off the bike. Now, fans and readers everywhere can learn about her personal journey, and discover how they too can “live a life of purpose, on purpose” with Speak, a memoir-manifesto-guide to life inspired by her immensely popular Instagram Live series of the same name.
-
-
Your story is your story
- By sydney Webster on 07-04-22
By: Tunde Oyeneyin
-
We Were Dreamers
- An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story
- By: Simu Liu
- Narrated by: Simu Liu
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The star of Marvel’s first Asian superhero film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, tells his own origin story of being a Chinese immigrant, his battles with cultural stereotypes and his own identity, becoming a TV star, and landing the role of a lifetime.
-
-
This Asian-American Approves.
- By Jasmine Y. on 06-04-22
By: Simu Liu
-
In the Water They Can't See You Cry
- A Memoir
- By: Amanda Beard, Rebecca Paley
- Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert
- Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
At the tender age of 14, Amanda Beard walked onto the pool deck at the Atlanta Olympics carrying her teddy bear, Harold, and left with two silvers and a gold medal. She competed in three more Olympic games, winning a total of seven medals, and enjoyed a lucrative modeling career on the side. At one point, she was the most downloaded female athlete on the Internet. Yet despite her astonishing career and sex-symbol status, Amanda felt unworthy of all her success. Unaware that she was suffering from clinical depression, she hid the pain beneath a megawatt smile.
-
-
I applaud Amanda - but her editor's were lame
- By Heather on 03-10-15
By: Amanda Beard, and others
-
Wildflower
- By: Drew Barrymore
- Narrated by: Drew Barrymore
- Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Wildflower is a portrait of Drew's life in stories as she looks back on the adventures, challenges, and incredible experiences of her earlier years. It includes tales of living on her own at 14 (and how laundry may have saved her life), getting stuck in a gas station overhang on a cross-country road trip, saying good-bye to her father in a way only he could have understood, and many more adventures and lessons that have led her to the successful, happy, and healthy place she is today.
-
-
Hold the shrieking !
- By Dawne on 11-27-15
By: Drew Barrymore
-
Beyond Belief
- My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape
- By: Jenna Miscavige Hill
- Narrated by: Sandy Rustin
- Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jenna Miscavige Hill, niece of Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige, was raised as a Scientologist but left the controversial religion in 2005. In Beyond Belief, she shares her true story of life inside the upper ranks of the sect, details her experiences as a member Sea Org - the church's highest ministry - speaks of her "disconnection" from family outside of the organization, and tells the story of her ultimate escape.
-
-
The Despicable Truth Behind Scientology
- By Tim on 02-07-13
-
Unafraid
- Staring Down Terror as a Navy SEAL and Single Dad
- By: Eddie Penney, Keith Wood
- Narrated by: Eddie Penney
- Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As a special operator in the US Navy’s most elite unit and actively engaged in the global war on terrorism, Eddie Penney had achieved his childhood dream. He was the tip of the nation’s spear, prepared for anything—except for becoming a single parent of three young children. Eddie learned powerful lessons from the roles of warrior and father. In Unafraid, he shares his story, insight gained, and the truths exposed when you reflect, regroup, and commit to personal growth.
-
-
Truly Awful
- By Shawn K. Updegrove on 05-16-23
By: Eddie Penney, and others
-
On My Own Two Feet
- From Losing My Legs to Learning the Dance of Life
- By: Amy Purdy, Michelle Burford
- Narrated by: Amy Purdy, Jorjeana Marie
- Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this poignant and uplifting memoir, Dancing with the Stars sensation Amy Purdy reveals the story of how losing her legs led her to find a spiritual path. When the Las Vegas native was just nineteen, she came down with bacterial meningitis and was given less than a two percent chance of survival. In a near-death experience, she saw three figures who told her: “You can come with us, or you can stay. No matter what happens in your life, it's all going to make sense in the end." In that moment, Amy chose to live.
-
-
A Powerful Memoir of Truimph over Tragedy
- By ElizOF on 01-31-22
By: Amy Purdy, and others
-
Growing Up Biden
- A Memoir
- By: Valerie Biden Owens
- Narrated by: Valerie Biden Owens
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A memoir from Joe Biden’s younger sister, trusted confidante, and lifelong campaign manager, Growing Up Biden details Valerie’s decades-long professional career in politics, and the central role she played in her brother’s life as an insightful adviser, an ever-loyal advocate, and a best friend. This memoir, full of candor and warmth, brings listeners into the Biden home and shares stories from growing up in Delaware as the only daughter of the close-knit Irish Catholic family.
-
-
Family values and empathy
- By sonia hampton on 06-07-22
-
Running into the Dark
- A Blind Man’s Record-Setting Run Across America
- By: Jason Romero
- Narrated by: Gary Galone
- Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A man takes on the challenge of a lifetime after hitting rock bottom. He finds himself divorced, unemployed, and in a deep depression when a degenerative eye condition renders him blind with limited light perception. Feeling a calling to run across America, he dedicated the next two years of his life to prepare for, and ultimately run, more than 3,000 miles from California to New York in less than 60 days, averaging 51.5 miles per day, to log the seventh-fastest transcontinental foot crossing in the history of the world.
-
-
Inspiring
- By Richard on 06-05-18
By: Jason Romero
-
Rudy
- My Story
- By: Rudy Ruettiger
- Narrated by: Daniel Butler
- Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
How does a lower middle class kid, who suffered through school with undiagnosed dyslexia, get into Notre Dame and become the inspiration for millions in a Hollywood film that has become one of the most inspiring sport movies ever made? He never gave up. For the first time, read Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger's real life story and learn the behind-the-scenes details of the ten years it took to make the movie and how that tossed him into a new career of public speaking that continues on stages today alongside world-class leaders and speakers.
-
-
The rest of the story...
- By Deidre on 09-19-12
By: Rudy Ruettiger
-
Surfacing
- From the Depths of Self-Doubt to Winning Big and Living Fearlessly
- By: Siri Lindley
- Narrated by: Siri Lindley
- Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In
Surfacing, Siri Lindley opens up about her unique celebrity-dappled early life. When an NFL superstar notices her beautiful mother, her idyllic childhood is upended. Glitzy dinner parties and world travel pull her mother away, and Lindley grows up feeling alone and out of place. As her intense loneliness grows into anger, she lashes out against her New England life of privilege.
-
-
I m sorry but it sucks!!
- By Carlos Amador on 05-07-17
By: Siri Lindley
-
The Letter
- My Journey Through Love, Loss, and Life
- By: Marie Tillman
- Narrated by: Marie Tillman
- Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A love story and an inspirational tale of recovery and self-discovery, Marie Tillman opens up for the first time about her marriage to ex-NFL star Pat Tillman, and her journey to rebuild her life after his death. In 2003, Pat Tillman, serving in the US Army, hastily wrote a "just in case" letter to his wife, Marie. When he returned on leave before his departure to Afghanistan, he placed the letter on top of their bedroom dresser. In the days following his death, it was Pat's letter that kept her going.
-
-
Vulnerable and honest
- By Sis on 01-18-25
By: Marie Tillman
-
Making Mavericks
- The Memoir of a Surfing Legend
- By: Frosty Hesson, Ian Spiegelman
- Narrated by: Gary Dikeos
- Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Richard “Frosty” Hesson was first approached by a young Jay Moriarty in 1990, the skinny kid with a sparkle in his eye only wanted one thing from the icon: His help in becoming a better surfer. Hesson, one of the first to conquer the huge waves off northern California known as Mavericks, recognized that the kid “had a vision.” Jay quickly demonstrated a resolve that reminded Frosty of his younger self, pursuing his goal with a seriousness far beyond his years. His attitude and work ethic earned Frosty’s respect and, eventually, his friendship.
-
-
Worst audiobook I’ve listened to - narrated by a pre-pubescent teenage robot
- By Nick on 04-26-18
By: Frosty Hesson, and others
-
I Said Yes
- My Story of Heartbreak, Redemption, and True Love
- By: Emily Maynard Johnson
- Narrated by: Hayley Cresswell
- Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Millions know Emily Maynard Johnson from her unprecedented double appearances on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. Millions also know that neither of the relationships from those shows lasted much longer than a commercial break. Overcome with embarrassment following her nationally televised failures at romance, Emily finally committed her heart to the only one she knew would never leave her empty and alone. Abandoning her desire to be chosen by men and finding peace in the fact that she was already chosen by God, Emily found the joy she had been looking for in serving God.
-
-
Interesting read for bachelor/bachelorette fans
- By Melanie on 03-31-16
-
Fast Girl
- A Life Spent Running from Madness
- By: Suzy Favor Hamilton
- Narrated by: Suzy Favor Hamilton, Nan McNamara
- Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The former middle-distance Olympic runner and high-end escort speaks out for the first time about her battle with mental illness and how mania controlled and compelled her in competition but also in life. This is a heartbreakingly honest yet hopeful memoir reminiscent of Manic, Electroboy, and An Unquiet Mind.
-
-
The height of narcissism.
- By Joe on 10-07-15
-
The Astronaut's Wife
- How Launching My Husband into Outer Space Changed the Way I Live on Earth
- By: Stacey Morgan
- Narrated by: Stacey Morgan
- Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Stacey Morgan kissed her husband goodbye before he donned his space suit on July 20, 2019, and headed to his waiting Soyuz rocket. With an overwhelming mix of pride, excitement, and terror, she and her children held hands and watched the rocket ignite and lift off for a nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station.
-
-
Great!
- By LifeDevoted on 05-03-23
By: Stacey Morgan
-
Winning Balance
- What I've Learned So Far about Love, Faith, and Living Your Dreams
- By: Shawn Johnson, Nancy French
- Narrated by: Shawn Johnson
- Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Twenty-year-old American gymnast Shawn Johnson is a four-time Olympic gold and silver medalist; a national- and world-champion athlete. Already a popular role model to all ages, in 2009 she captured the national spotlight again when she won on the widely popular Dancing with the Stars. Yet Shawn is no stranger to hard work and adversity.
-
-
LOVED HER STORY!
- By Anonymous User on 12-04-19
By: Shawn Johnson, and others
What listeners say about Girl at Sea
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dave
- 06-01-16
A courageous and honest story of a woman's life
I bought this book planning to listen to it over a week and couldn't stop listening once I started. I too love to write and know what it takes to put your life out there in the public eye for them to read and review...it takes great courage! I saw this in so many of Joanna's choices throughout her book! it was refreshing that she didn't hide her flaws or gloss over them. I hope all of you enjoy the book as much as I did!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful