The One Man

A Novel

By: Andrew Gross

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

"Actor Ballerini turns the scene into a fascinating radio drama...These conversational moments, delicately crafted by Gross and splendidly performed by Ballerini, have a profound effect on the novel's equally well-enacted, action-filled, breathless escape sequence." — Publishers Weekly

1944. Physics professor Alfred Mendel and his family were trying to flee Paris when they were caught and forced onto a train, along with thousands of other Jewish families. At the other end of the long, torturous train ride, Alfred is separated from his family and sent to the men’s camp, where all of his belongings are tossed on a roaring fire. His books, his papers, his life’s work. The Nazis have no idea what they have just destroyed. And without that physical record, Alfred is one of only two people in the world with his particular knowledge. Knowledge that could start a war, or end it.

Nathan Blum works behind a desk at an intelligence office in Washington, DC, but he longs to contribute to the war effort in a more meaningful way, and he has a particular skill set the U.S. suddenly needs. Nathan is fluent in German and Polish, and he proved his scrappiness at a young age when he escaped from the Krakow ghetto. Now, the government wants him to take on the most dangerous assignment of his life: Nathan must sneak into Auschwitz, on a mission to find and escape with one man.

This historical thriller from New York Times bestseller Andrew Gross is a deeply affecting, unputdownable series of twists and turns through a landscape at times horrifyingly familiar but still completely compelling.

©2016 Andrew Gross (P)2016 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Actor Ballerini turns the scene into a fascinating radio drama.... These conversational moments, delicately crafted by Gross and splendidly performed by Ballerini, have a profound effect on the novel's equally well-enacted, action-filled, breathless escape sequence." (Publishers Weekly)

"The One Man contains many different plots and characters that cross the globe, and narrator Ballerini effortlessly manages the complex story line. All accents are portrayed authentically, with the nuances of each language clearly expressed—American accents are especially crisp and easily stand out from the third-party narration. Given the numerous accents and foreign, scientific, and military terms used, the audio truly enhances the written text. This historical thriller will keep listeners engaged, and although they know how the war ends, they will find themselves on the edge of their seats wondering what happens next." -Booklist

"[Edoardo Ballerini's] versatile transition between multiple characters will keep you riveted." NJ.com

Super Read

Narrated wonderfully, loved it, first review I've ever done, story line was to say the least very insightful, would recommend.

Thoroughly Enjoyed

Really enjoyed this book. We listen to quite a few, and this is one narrator whose voice worked. So many are fine, but not great, or really good until they have to do another accent or sex. Edoardo Ballerini did an amazing job, and the story line was great. Moving, heartbreaking, “page turning” ....

great story and background.

would be a great movie. this was a book I would recommend for the way the writer paints a picture of what life was like in this place and time in history. recommend.

Loved this book

This book was very well written and narrated! It kept my attention til the end! Loved it!

Top choice

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

Very well written and performed. Made a long drive feel short. The right amount of historical references and intense entertainment.

My favorite audio book,

Didn't want to get out of my car! Amazing story, incredible performance. simply a joy!

Better than Good

Edoardo Ballerini is an artist. His characterizations really bring the story to life. I am enjoying it almost as much as "Winds of War" and "War and Remembrance." This book, like Wouk's, doesn't flinch at the political realities of looking at the other way as long as WWII was "overseas." The humanitarian atrocities of the holocaust wasn't enough reason for the U.S. declare war. The U.S. was trying to help Britain defeat the Axis (Lend/Lease) despite an isolationist congress, but didn't get into the conflict until the Japanese hit the Pacific fleet. This story puts the humanity into the tale.

Excellently written, narration is the best ever

What an incredible plot, had me guessing until the end. It's not a happy story, since it talks about the death camps during WWII. But, it's so intriguing that it's worth delving into such a tough time in our history.

loved it

wow, could not put it down! a great story, painful but real and heartbreaking

Wonderful and terrible!

Wonderfully written story that takes place during the time of mankind's darkest hour. It's heartbreaking already and Andrew Gross makes it so much more thorough by creating such dynamic and admirable characters for us to love, miss and fret over.