A Bell for Adano

Name: A Bell for Adano
Brand: Recorded Books
Availability: InStock
Author: John Hersey
ISBN: 9781436146623

Author: John Hersey

Narrator: David Green

Unabridged: 8 hr 36 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 09/17/2010

Categories: Fiction, Classic

Synopsis

John Hersey grew up in China, studied at Yale and Cambridge, worked as a journalist, and astonished the nation when he won the Pulitzer Prize in 1945 for A Bell for Adano. His first novel, its offbeat blend of patriotism and warm humor immediately captured readers' hearts. In 1943, the American Major Victor Joppolo finds himself the civil affairs officer-the mayor-of a small town in Sicily. Equipped with the rulebook, How to Bring American Democracy to Liberated Territories, he sets about bringing choices to a people whose every recent activity had been dictated. Asking them what the town needs most, he is answered: give the town back its spirit-a bell to replace the 700-year-old one that was melted down for bullets. The major soon discovers that he may not be able to guarantee democracy for the ancient town, but he can do something about the bell. His story is one of humanity in the midst of war's cruelty, and conviction in a maze of military bureaucracy.

About John Hersey

John Hersey (1914–1993), a prolific and acclaimed writer of both fiction and nonfiction, won a Pulitzer Prize for A Bell for Adano. Yet throughout his life, he was most respected for Hiroshima. According to the New Yorker, “[It] remains his crowning achievement. Though it is imbued with a profound moral sense, it does not preach. It does not hector. It simply tells. The power of it, and of its author, is in the reporting.”

Reviews

Goodreads review by Barbara on May 12, 2020

It is always pleasurable when you begin a book with low expectations and finish it delighted. I chose to read A Bell for Adano because it filled a hole in my classic reading history, it won the 1945 Pulitzer Prize, and I had a copy. I loved Hersey's sparse writing style (although that is not usually......more

Goodreads review by Michael on September 21, 2021

What a delightful story! Mister Major is able to save the Sicilian town on Adano from themselves following the America. Invasion during WWII. But, in Catch-22 fashion, a good deed is never left unpunished. High comedy and hijinx abound in this wonderful story of the clash of two cultures and one man......more

Goodreads review by Josh on March 02, 2018

While presidents from all generations and from any and all parties have had an interest in reading, Donald Trump does not happen to fall under this category. While Trump himself is not an enthusiast for reading, his Defense Secretary, Retired General James Mattis is by all means an avid reader. Gene......more

Goodreads review by Justin on November 09, 2017

LOVE LOVE LOVE! Why have I not heard more about this classic? Picked it up almost at random and feel forever changed. What a charming, funny, forever enduring look at humanity and leadership. Don’t read the plot description, just go into it blind and enjoy yourself.......more

Goodreads review by Jason on July 05, 2012

(As of July 2012, I am selling a first-edition copy of this book through the rare-book service at my arts organization, the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com/rarebooks]. Here below is the description I wrote for its listing.) Written in the middle of World War Two and the......more