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The Naked and the Dead

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( 26,251 ratings, 1,101 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer is a gripping historical fiction novel that delves into the psychological and physical struggles of soldiers during World War II. Set on a fictional Pacific island, it offers a raw and unflinching portrayal of war's brutality and its impact on the men involved. The book explores themes of power, fear, and survival through the experiences of a platoon as they navigate the challenges of combat and human nature.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're fascinated by gripping narratives about the human condition set against the harrowing backdrop of World War II. With its rich character portraits and exploration of the brutal realities of warfare, it's perfect for those who enjoy profound and thought-provoking historical fiction.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

One of the finest American novels ever written, Norman Mailer's classic account of the Philippines campaign of WW2.

Based on Mailer's own experience of military service in the Philippines during World War Two, The Naked and the Dead is a graphically truthful and shattering portrayal of ordinary men in battle. First published in 1949, as America was still basking in the glories of the Allied victory, it altered forever the popular perception of warfare.

Focusing on the experiences of a fourteen-man platoon stationed on a Japanese-held island in the South Pacific during World War II, and written in a journalistic style, it tells the moving story of the soldiers' struggle to retain a sense of dignity amidst the horror of warfare, and to find a source of meaning in their lives amidst the sounds and fury of battle.

Series: Penguin Modern Classics

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer is often hailed as a powerful depiction of World War II, capturing the struggles and psychological depth of soldiers. Reviewers praise Mailer's intricate character development and the novel's raw, immersive narrative. Some find it a challenging but rewarding read due to its intense realism and exploration of the human condition amidst war.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241340493

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 November 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 29.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 467g

Pages: 688

About the Author

Norman Mailer (1923-2007) was one of the great post-War American writers, both as a novelist and as one of the key inventors of the New Journalism. His books include the novels The Naked and the Dead, The Deer Park, Why Are We in Vietnam?, The Executioner's Song and Harlot's Ghost and the non-fiction works The Armies of the Night, A Fire on the Moon (published in the USA as Of a Fire on the Moon) and The Fight. He won the National Book Award and twice won the Pulitzer Prize.

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    On October 30, 1974, in Kinshasa, Zaire, at the virtual centre of Africa, two boxers were paid five million dollars apiece to confront each other in an epic match. One was Muhammad Ali, who vowed to reclaim the championship he had lost. The other was George Foreman, who was as taciturn as Ali was voluble and who kept his hands...
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