Alas, Babylon

By: Pat Frank

Narrated by: Will Patton

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

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)

Really Loved the Story and the Narrator!

My review is simple and concise: This is a great story, read by one of the best narrators ever. Don't hesitate to invest in it!

For those of us who grew up during the fifties and sixties when the spectre of atomic war was part of our lives (more so than even now -- when we really should be terrified), this story is not only an interesting fictional account of how things might have been, but a window into whether and how we might have survived.

Interestingly, in reflection, the citizens of the 50's were likely better prepared to fend for themselves and survive the end of civilization as we know it than we are today. Even the most hard core doomsday preppers should listen to this one!

Absolutely Amazing

Riveting, masterful, colorful...and only Will Patton could have read it. I don't believe even Scott Brick could have told this story so eloquently. This was truly an amazing and wonderfully told story.

Journey back in time

This was an early tv production that impressed me as a teenager. A wonderfully written account of attitudes of the 1950's

Old but interesting

When I first read this book 25 years ago, it was already old but I really enjoyed it. I couldn't wait to listen when it came out in audio form, and I have not been disappointed. Will Patton is the absolutely perfect narrator. The story of how a group of people reacts when their way of life is drastically changed is intriguing. The 1950's view of the world is also interesting- and funny. If that's how men really felt about the poor, helpless and silly females, they are lucky the women didn't drop the bomb on them earlier! This book is an excellent listen and well worth your time and credit.

As good as the first time - 54 years ago!

I read this book in 1967. It was extremely memorable and I never forgot it. Over the years however I did forget its name, but I always remembered most of the details. Then a few months ago I was reading a review of a current novel and the reviewer stated “not since Alas Babylon have I read ….”. And I knew that was the long lost title of my memorable book. I listened to it again and just finished. For anyone interested in this genre, it is a must read. Enjoy.

thought provoking

Not necessarily idealistic. Some great points come out. Good story. Excellent character development. Now, I must go by an axe and ammunition...

Fascinating

I had never heard of this book and bought it on a sale because it looked interesting. It is fascinating, written in 1959 about people in a small town trying to live their lives after most of the country is destroyed in a nuclear war. Fascinating from a historical perspective, and also a very interesting story line! I wish there was a sequel!

Brings me back to my childhood

Which is worse, being a teenager when the world could end in a holocaust of nuclear flame or fearing to get on an airplane because of the possibility of a terrorist attack?
I'm really not sure, but I do know this book took me back to my baby boomer childhood when the threat of nuclear war did exist. I think I read it 4 or 5 times when I was a teenage boy. I was pleased to see it on audible this month and snapped it up. I loved it as much as I did as a kid. I was immediately taken back to the atmosphere of 1960. Will Patton read the book exquisitely, drawing me into the world of my childhood.
I highly recommend this book.

Read this book!

I read this book when I was 9 or 10. Too young to understand much about the world, but old enough to know about being afraid of bombs. This book stuck with me. I saw it at the bookstore recently and thought, "Wow, I should read that again." But I didn't buy it. Then I saw it on Audible and bought it right away.

When I read it the first time, we were still living through the cold war, there were no cell phones and no laptops, so it seemed current. Reading it now, I had to laugh about how dependent we've become on our gadgets. I mean, in a few years kids won't even know what a telegram was.

The attitude toward women and minorities is hard to adjust to. But when you think about it, he was really progressive and forward thinking, realizing that a disaster of that sort would bring everyone together, regardless of pre-war thinking.

I would recommend this book to anyone.

Great Yarn!!

Alas Babylon was one of the best post apocolyptic books and probably in the top 20 books of all genre that I've read. Mr Frank's chronology of events and attention to detail were outstanding. He brought things to my attention that I've never considered. E.G. the effects of lack of salt & kids growing out of their shoes. Of course the narration by Will Patton only added to story. I think that I would enjoy listening to him reading the telephone book.