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)

An Amazingly Relevant and Personal Cautionary Tale

Any additional comments?

I chose this title because I so enjoyed another book read by Will Patton. Again, he effortlessly brings life to a wide range of characters in this story of nuclear holocaust aftermath. Written over 50 years ago it feels as if it could have been last week as the results would be the same. With all our technology we are still dependent on the good will of each other in the end. How people survive or don't in the face of enormous challenge is told through the story of the Bragg family. I came to care for 13 year old Ben Franklin as well as his Uncle Randy and many other residents of the ironically named Fort Repose, Florida. Human nature is explored in all it's ugliness and resilience. Racial divides collapse as skills trump color in an emergency. A satisfying read, I mean "listen", on many levels. Chilling and yet heartening.

Classic story

What did you like best about this story?

This is a classic story. The events leading up to the day are a bit dated but afterwards it could easily be in our present time. Great character development and narration. Perfect length for our road trip.

Great Story, Great Reader

Will Patton brings Pat Frank's classic apocalyptic tale to life - you are there trying to help Randy survive and restore order.

excellent. Read the book years ago enjoy it again

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

yes. teaches about starting over to survive disaster.`

Have you listened to any of Will Patton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not yet

Any additional comments?

not at this time, am not finished with it yet.

A classic cold war tale

A dated but engrossing tale of what might have been .
This story takes place in pre civil rights era Florida and asks us the question, what would have happened in early days of the arms race when the Soviet Union pulled ahead if they decided to make sure their foes never reached parity?
Alas Babylon takes on small town racial, ethnic and sociopolitical issues especially as it pertains to life after "the day"

some use of abrasive and offensive racial language but not in a gratuitous manner.

Disturbing Story Written in a Disturbing Time

Any additional comments?

I wrote and presented a book report of this book in high school several decades ago. My conclusion was that humanity can survive any catastrophe. Except for the case of shear luck, I don't believe that any more. This book represents what might happen in a somewhat "limited" nuclear war circa 1959. The characters are compelling and likable and the tale is interesting. What disturbed me about the time was the existing racism and segregation. That racism permiated the south at the time the book was written. On another note, the narration went from pretty good to aggravating. At times, I got the impression the narrator was sucking on a cough drop while reading. However, i found the narration to be quite good most of the time. All in all, I recommend the book if you find apocalyptic tales interesting.

Good prepper story

Gives good insight on what would be important in a distaster. I was pleasantly surprised that this book was written in the 50's - it didn't matter a bit. The needs of the characters would be the same in any decade.

excellence

all aspects of this audio book are superb. will patton s silky voice, and distinct characterizations bring these people to life for me. I have read numerous "endtimes" books, some preachy, some political, some zombie...ick...Alas Babylon is the best by a mile.

Remarkable

Will Patton is an exemplary, talented reader. I really began to care about the main characters early on. The story is a riveting reminder of what "could be."

Timeless!!

Just as relevant today as it was decades ago! In my opinion it should be on everyone's reading list. :)