• 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
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    8,158
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More!!!

Great book all around. Not overly complicated but still engaging. Good character development. Will Patton is an amazing narrator! Please let this be a series! ~ JTC ~

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Good story

Started out very strong and tapered off about the last few chapters. Overall enjoyed the listen.

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oldie but a goodie

Have no read this in over 20 years. Audible makes it happen. really enjoyed it again.

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A book set in a different time

Loved the book. Had read it many years ago, so was like meeting an old friend. Some elements have dated, of course, but the general story is great.

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A Possible True Horror

Although set in the mid 20th century, the disaster in the story could still happen in the 21st century. Very chilling in its detail, but with signs of hope. Hopefully optimistic at its core, it's a fiction I never want to see made real.
The narrator is excellent and his pacing and tone really convey the story well.

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the ultimate post-apocalyptic story

first read this book back in the early to mid 70s it was my first Venture into post apocalyptic fiction. even though some aspects of this book are dated it remains a magnificent Story of Survival and Hope in the Apocalypse well-developed characters just enough humor and wonderfully narrated by Will Patton

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A timeless tale

Although this book is over a half a century old it’s as applicable now as it was when written

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Alas this is a wonderful book

Pat Frank tells a wonderful story Very well written. The narrator is one of my very favorites. Will Patton

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Great book

One of the best post nuclear warfare books I have listened to and read. I suggest you read and listen to it as well.

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ALAS, BABYLON. Alas, I only just found it.

This puts the best of the contemporary dystopian apocalyptic novels to a couple rungs below the ladder of that genre of enlightening entertainment . And, Will Patton may be the best audio book performer l've yet heard. And, the number of narrators I've enjoyed is nearing one-hundred. (Warning: Boast ahead!) As a Hall of Fame broadcaster, I do know who's good...really good. Will is outstanding. You'll hear it, too!)

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