The Naked and the Dead

By: Norman Mailer

Narrated by: John Buffalo Mailer

Hailed as one of the finest novels to come out of the Second World War, The Naked and the Dead received unprecedented critical acclaim upon its publication and has since become part of the American canon. This fiftieth anniversary edition features a new introduction created especially for the occasion by Norman Mailer.

Written in gritty, journalistic detail, the story follows an army platoon of foot soldiers who are fighting for the possession of the Japanese-held island of Anopopei. Composed in 1948, The Naked and the Dead is representative of the best in twentieth-century American writing.

©1951 Norman Mailer (P)2016 Brilliance Audio. All rights reserved.

The hell of war

Gave new meaning to war in all of its postures. Very detailed with excellent visualization. Well written.

Worthy

this really is one of the better WW2 books around. this really is one of the better WW2 books around

too much period racial slurs/ attitudes etc

I read this because it was on Obama's best books list, but I couldn't get past the n words, Jew bashing, and all the other period accurate but still disturbing plotlines. I think it was "real " like private Ryan was... I that people were just people, not heroes, but I think I enjoy reading about heroes more.

Best war narrative you can find

I am embarrassed it has taken me this long to read this novel. I’m not sure why the novel’s gritty realism has not captured many modern reader’s attention. It is well worth the effort.

Mailer tour de force!

The writing left me jealous of Mailer’s talent. It is as if the words fell onto the page from above. Effortless to read because of the quality of the writing.
Captured the paradox of war, the physical difficulties, the long periods of waiting and anticipation and fear, and the bursts of violence and emotion that followed.