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For Whom the Bell Tolls  By  cover art

For Whom the Bell Tolls

By: Ernest Hemingway
Narrated by: Campbell Scott
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Publisher's summary

In 1937, Ernest Hemingway traveled to Spain to cover the civil war there for the North American Newspaper Alliance. Three years later he completed the greatest novel to emerge from "the good fight", For Whom the Bell Tolls.

The story of Robert Jordan, a young American in the International Brigades attached to an antifascist guerilla unit in the mountains of Spain, it tells of loyalty and courage, love and defeat, and the tragic death of an ideal. In his portrayal of Jordan's love for the beautiful Maria and his superb account of El Sordo's last stand, in his brilliant travesty of La Pasionaria and his unwillingness to believe in blind faith, Hemingway surpasses his achievement in The Sun Also Rises and A Farewell to Arms to create a work at once rare and beautiful, strong and brutal, compassionate, moving, and wise.

"If the function of a writer is to reveal reality," Maxwell Perkins wrote Hemingway after reading the manuscript, "no one ever so completely performed it." Greater in power, broader in scope, and more intensely emotional than any of the author's previous works, it stands as one of the best war novels of all time.

©1952 Ernest Hemingway (P)2006 Simon & Schuster Inc. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This is the best book Ernest Hemingway has written, the fullest, the deepest, the truest. It will, I think, be one of the major novels in American literature." (The New York Times Book Review)

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What listeners say about For Whom the Bell Tolls

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GREAT BOOK

ANOTHER GREAT LISTEN! WELL READ AND THE STORY HOLDS YOU TILL THE END. ONE OF THE BETTER HEMINGWAY ENDINGS.

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

it was ok

the whole story about a bridge, maybe I'm not getting it. some parts were sleepers, some were intriguing, probably not recommending this story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Outstanding Production

This production was a credit to the brilliance of Hemingway’s story about the human condition. The complex characters in the story were rendered in a manner that enables the reader to feel as if he is a part of the drama. I enjoyed it immensely.

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  • Overall
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Must listen.

I have started this book no less that 5 times. Since I have started using Audible, this is by far my best listening. There were times I had wished my drive was longer. This has to be the best Hemingway book I have read. I now referred not finishing the book the first time I picked it up.

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Excellent

Hemingway! Had no idea what to expect with this book. Truly magnificent character development and the reader brought that development to life. Recommended for those interested in contemplating humanity’s never-ceasing struggle with itself.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Wrong to eliminate foul language


This novel is one of the outstanding marks of literature. A significant part of its wander is the use of real earthy language combine with a heart of the war. Censor all the four letter words, takes away an awful lot from the narration.

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The best

I’m not sure how many times I’ve read or listened to this book. It is simply the best. Hemingway’s prose, descriptions and story are so engaging. You’re drawn to the mountains of Spain and participate in the conflict.
Scott Brick’s narration fits it perfectly by bringing the characters to life.
I can’t wait to listen to it again.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Wish they hadn't dubed out the swear words

The book is great and Hemingway's descriptions of the landscape and people make you feel as if you are there, but the dubbing over of the curse words was rediculous. It takes away from the force of what some of the characters are trying to express. Really not needed. Just note that it has explicit language. This is how censorship begins.

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96 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A great story read by a great voice.

Mr. Scott's narration of this classic is about the best I have heard.

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28 people found this helpful

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Can’t wait to read the next book by this author

Excellent work excellent narration great story ending left a little to be desired but great storyline I visited his home once a long time ago had no idea his books were so good

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