• Alas, Babylon

  • By: Pat Frank
  • Narrated by: Will Patton
  • Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (13,331 ratings)

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Alas, Babylon  By  cover art

Alas, Babylon

By: Pat Frank
Narrated by: Will Patton
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Publisher's summary

This true modern masterpiece is built around the two fateful words that make up the title and herald the end - “Alas, Babylon.” When a nuclear holocaust ravages the United States, a thousand years of civilization are stripped away overnight, and tens of millions of people are killed instantly.

But for one small town in Florida, miraculously spared, the struggle is just beginning, as men and women of all backgrounds join together to confront the darkness. Will Patton's narration paints this classic tale as an ominous picture of the terrible possibilites of the nuclear age.

©1959 Harry Hart Frank (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

  • Audie Award Winner, Fiction, 2012
"An enthralling and vivid story of the follies and failures of people, their courage and cruelty, their treachery and triumphs. Mr. Frank is a magnificent writer." ( Chicago Sunday Tribune)
"A warm, continuously interesting story of what can happen to a group of ordinary people in a perilous situation." ( New York Herald Tribune)
“Will Patton is a calm and steady narrator whose quiet intensity wraps around this post-apocalyptic saga...He reflects the tones of deference of women to men, nonwhites to whites, and children to adults. In a conversational tone, he quietly brings the characters and their relationships to life.” ( AudioFile)

Featured Article: The 20 Best Survival Audiobooks for the Prepper in All of Us


Whether we’re focused on the apocalypse or just an ill-timed breakdown on the side of a particularly remote road, there’s something about imagining survival scenarios that can be addictive. On some level, we all wonder if we would have what it takes to pit ourselves against the worst the world can possibly offer and make it out alive. That’s why it’s no surprise that survival literature is so popular, and that the stories in the genre are so diverse.

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What listeners say about Alas, Babylon

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    8,158
  • 4 Stars
    3,738
  • 3 Stars
    1,077
  • 2 Stars
    225
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Performance
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  • 2 Stars
    99
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    7,083
  • 4 Stars
    3,003
  • 3 Stars
    1,033
  • 2 Stars
    194
  • 1 Stars
    117

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    5 out of 5 stars

Looked forward to listening every day. Loved it!

I'm so glad I came across this book during a sale. I wouldn't have normally gravitated toward it, but the sale was the motivation I needed to give it a try. Really enjoyed the story and the voice of the reader.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Good listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes - good book, even with its content out of date.. tells it like it was when the book was written

Which character – as performed by Will Patton – was your favorite?

Randy

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Randy's last meeting with his brother, Mark

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

As powerful as I remembered.

I read this book in 8th grade in 1978. Remembered much of the storyline. It has aged well!

One of the top 5 books from my formative years.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • EJ
  • 08-14-18

Even better as an audiobook!

Alas, Babylon is one of my all-time favorite books! I've read it multiple times, but this is the first time listening to it on Audible. The narrator made an already exciting book come alive!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A second after retro, oldie but a goodie

For a book I started reading more than 40 years ago, I found it as good or better than others in this genera.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it!

Being written in 1959 this was a fresh look at an apocalyptic thriller. I listened 2xs. Will listen again.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

10/10

It was very well read. The voice was good and I liked how it changed for every character.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Spellbinding!

A scenario that has eerie possibilities of truth. The story provoked deep thought on survival and ingenuity. Riveting narration by Will Patton.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

timeless, wonderful story of humanity

I was likely required to read this novel as a senior in highschool. Audible has made enjoyment of such novels, coupled with a very busy lifestyle possible and rewarding.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book & narration

Will Patton is a heck of a narrator. Would highly recommend this book just off of his performance. Book is from the late 50's, so its an interesting look back at how some folks thought things might have gone in the new nuclear age.

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