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

Best audio book is hard so far.

The performance was totally immersive and entertaining. John must have made his father very proud wish this.

Brilliant novel

I’ve read a lot of WWII history, but somehow never read much WWII fiction. This was Mailer’s first novel, and it’s hard to believe how polished it is, and how penetrating. It’s a hard look at war and the men who fight. No one comes out looking particularly good, though some characters are more sympathetic than others. There are vain, petty officers, and psychotic noncoms. There are more than a few war crimes. There’s a lot of compassion for the suffering of the soldiers.

The narrator is adequate, but not great. The writing is superb.

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.