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)

What if the Cold War suddenly got lit up

What made the experience of listening to Alas, Babylon the most enjoyable?

The wonderful character and scene descriptions reminiscent of James Lee Burke

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

There is no one quite like Will to bring the narrative alive

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Chillingly realistic. Having grown up "under the mushroom cloud" backdrop of the cold war, this was really possible.

Any additional comments?

Too bad Mr. Frank has passed away. I would have loved more from him.

Immersive and enjoyable read

Very nice well paced listen, on the lighter side in depth Wished it was longer, once I started I did not want to put it down. Enjoyed the characters a lot having grown up in the time period. Would have appreciated getting a bit more definition on a few of them particularly the main character. A few times I found myself not being able to picture him in my minds eye in as much detail as I would have liked. Interesting and credible history and military references thruout. Narrator has great and varied array of voices and takes his time letting the story develop. I really coul not be more pleased with his performance.. I am glad I listened to this book and I was disappointed when it ended.

Written in the 50s

I like this book but had a bit of a hard time swallowing the portrayal of the females as well as the black characters. Since it was written in the 50s, it makes a bit more sense. Females were portrayed as scared and always looking to men in someway or another to save them. Blacks are portrayed as subservient, and one is clearly portrayed as lazy and a bit dumb.

When the young white boy acts independently and bravely, he is rewarded. When the young girl does the same, she is punished. Females are in charge of traditional woman’s work, and men the traditional hunters and protectors.

If you can ignore these things then it is a good read. The characters are well written and you have an investment in their future. It definitely portrays how decimating a nuclear attack would be. And I like how it shows this small group of people pulling together to survive.

One of the best Audiobooks I have ever listened to

I am usually too busy (or lazy) to write reviews, but this book deserves praise. It is a great insight into the way people thought at the height of the Cold War and just how much was on the line. Plus, its just a great story and the reader did an amazing job.

slow start but engaging

the story starts out very slow, but don't give up, it picks up and it's very engaging from then on.

It Could Happen Today!

This book was originally published in 1959 but it could be ripped from today's headlines. The book is so current it is incredible. The town in Florida where the book takes place is truly a microcosm for the world we know. A sobering look at what could be and what we hope will never be. Will Patton is an absolutely amazing narrator.

Superb

Would you listen to Alas, Babylon again? Why?

Yes. It would be like going back into my memories and experiencing it again with old, treasured friends. The characters are so real. Although the story line is tragic in many ways, it is filled with hope, faith, courage - a genuinely uplifting book.

What does Will Patton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Will Patton is an extraordinarily talented narrator/actor. I have listened to his performances of James Lee Burke's books, but Alas, Babylon, has to be my favorite. I believed each character as a unique person, and at the end of the book, I hated to say goodbye to each and every one. Only Will Patton (or perhaps George Guidall) can accomplish that in my opinion.

Any additional comments?

It was sure a pleasure to hear a book of this caliber without crass language. More please.

One Second After

This was a fabulous book and true to the Cold War fear. I read One Second After before listening to Alas, Babylon and now see that it was almost completely plagiarized by just changing some names and dates.

The Original "end of world" book.

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

I have recommended this to a number of people. The story is wonderful, but unlike some books of this genre, it leaves you with hope. The narrator has the perfect voice for this book, and delivers the narrative with sensitivity and feeling.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't have a favorite character. I loved Florence for her old fashioned moral convictions, and Randy for his ability to live in what ever world presents itself. I loved the other characters also, maybe because I have read the book so often, they feel like old friends!

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was probably Randy running through the grocery store at breakneck speed, filling his basket with everything he thought would be needed for a long period of time. The description of that is great.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but it is too long. I listened to it several times, and some scenes more than once.

Any additional comments?

This is a book I'll probably not ever delete. I have the paperback, I have the kindle and now the audio version. One of my all time favorites.

LOVED THIS!!!!

Will Patton is a revelation. Hope filled and terrifying. I highly recommend for anyone who likes apocalyptic fiction.