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

Terrific Story of Men in the Midst of Conflict

Incredibly deep and well written story about a squad of soldiers on a Japanese-held island in WWII. Even more amazing to think it was written by a 24- or 25-year-old Mailer. The unvarnished dialogue must have been quite shocking when the book originally came out in 1948. That dialogue and the characters reminded me of stories my father told me about the people he was in the Army with in WWII. People from very different backgrounds thrown into a pressure cooker together. It's a classic for good reason.

I also wanted to mention the narrator, John Buffalo Mailer. I held off on buying this book because I'm not a fan of nepotism. But JBM did a terrific job, probably as good as anyone could have.

Glad I finally caught up on an important work.

I was impressed with the level of gritty realism to be found in a book written in 1947. It shies away from very few topics that would’ve been relevant to the life of a World War II soldier. kind of surprised I don’t recall seeing it on a list of banned books.

The performance is excellent, well paced with excellent characterizations, and very few errors.

Detailed, like Tolstoy

The story is full of believable detail, and believable inner monologues. Reminds me of Leo Tolstoy’s mode of writing. Characters well drawn out. Likely the best thing Mailer wrote.

The person reading (who also happens to be named Mailer) did an excellent job with the various American dialects. Usually I prefer that not be included, since it’s distracting if not done perfectly.

In any case, I thoroughly enjoyed this version.

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.

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.