The Things They Carried

By: Tim O'Brien

Narrated by: Bryan Cranston

Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

This modern classic and New York Times best seller was a finalist for both the 1990 Pulitzer Prize and National Book Critics Circle Award and has become a staple of American classrooms. Hailed by The New York Times as "a marvel of storytelling", The Things They Carried’s portrayal of the boots-on-the-ground experience of soldiers in the Vietnam War is a landmark in war writing. Now, three-time Emmy Award winner Bryan Cranston, star of the hit TV series Breaking Bad, delivers an electrifying performance that walks the book’s hallucinatory line between reality and fiction and highlights the emotional power of the spoken word.

The soldiers in this collection of stories carried M-16 rifles, M-60 machine guns, and M-79 grenade launchers. They carried plastic explosives, hand grenades, flak jackets, and landmines. But they also carried letters from home, illustrated Bibles, and pictures of their loved ones. Some of them carried extra food or comic books or drugs. Every man carried what he needed to survive, and those who did carried their shattering stories away from the jungle and back to a nation that would never understand.

This audiobook also includes an exclusive recording “The Vietnam in Me,” a recount of the author’s trip back to Vietnam in 1994, revisiting his experience there as a soldier 25 years before, read by Tim O’Brien himself.

The Things They Carried was produced by Audible Studios in partnership with Playtone, the celebrated film and television production company founded by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, and producer of the award-winning series Band of Brothers, John Adams, and The Pacific, as well as the HBO movie Game Change.

For more from Audible and Playtone, click here.

©1990 Tim O'Brien (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Cranston may be the most charismatic embodiment of moral ambiguity we currently possess. There was always something comforting as well as menacing in Walter White's voice, and Cranston attacks O'Brien's sober, sinewy prose with slightly scary authority.... [I]f you were a binge-watcher of Breaking Bad it will be no big deal to spend six hours in his company here." ( The New York Times Book Review)

"Structurally the novel gestures to William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying, while Ryan's sensitive observations on Irish life seem responsive to the work of his compatriot Patrick McCabe. That Ryan does not look out of place in such literary company is a measure of his achievement." ( The Financial Times)

"The best of these stories--and none is written with less than the sharp edge of honed vision--are memory and prophecy. These tell us not where we were but where we are, and perhaps where we will be. . . . It is an ultimate, indelible image of war in our time, and in time to come." ( Los Angeles Times)

"O'Brien's haunting collection of connected stories about the Vietnam War is more alive than ever in this narration. Bryan Cranston's resonant, sometimes formal, performance often leaves the listener reeling. Cranston's voice is deep and patient, laying back to let the characters' collective pain take the fore. Memorable scenes include a man's receipt of his draft notice in "On the Rainy River," battle scenes in "The Man I Killed," and aspects of the war's aftermath in "Speaking of Courage." In all the works, Cranston offers a measured, compassionate voice. O'Brien's stories emphasize the importance of telling the truth of war stories, and Cranston's respect for his intent is clear and comforting. At times, his sonorous tone is hypnotic, but this is more an asset than a liability. All the better to make the listener feel." ( AudioFile)

Soul Ripping

What is real, what is not? Some came home, but really didn't. Anger Anguish Madness. The war is still killing. Soul ripping.

The Agony

This is a painful remembrance of the agony of a soldier in Vietnam. I hope it gives catharsis to the author and fellow soldiers.

this is one of the best war stories ive read.

this is one of the best war stories i have ever read. its powerful and thought provoking.

Very well done!

I really loved this book. It is so powerful! The story and images are unforgettable.

Not all soldiers

Tho there’s no doubt these events and atrocities are true they American people have to understand that not all Nom vets crossed too the dark side, most were their for riotous and honorable reasons

Intense

While I understand the author's premise and the sincerity of his emotions are clear, there are a lot of things I disagree with. Vietnam was, no question, a debacle, a tragic and certain stain on America, but the politics at that time were different than they are now, and indeed at the time this was written. Hindsight, as they say, is 20/20.

Heavy words

Interesting story telling style. Personal preference, but I didn’t enjoy it. However I’m glad I listened to it. Very raw, real and heavy. Does not glamorize war time like other stories have and does a good job of exploring the rarely portrayed side of combat.

Raw History

I am going to assume that the feelings and reactions portrayed in this book are real and unfortunately common for those that were involved in the Viet Nam conflict. I have known a couple of men who served there and for both it was an extremely life-changing experience. I found this book difficult to listen to, but I am glad I have a better understanding of the Viet Nam era and how it changed our national attitude toward international conflicts and military service. I especially appreciated the epilogue spoken by the author himself.

51 years ago....'69

4 July 2020 UFNA.... Once you accept you're dead (somewhere on the 24 hour flight over...setting on the net seats with your throbbing new plaque shot in your butt), it takes a lot longer to accept you're alive. Some never did. That's The 'Nam, man... or is it. "Hey, not that bad"

a book about vietnam.

Vietnam. is the first book I've read about Vietnam
it was well written well narrated, and had substance!