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Land of Men
- Wind, Sand and Stars
- Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
- Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs
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Summary
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is known universally for the gentle charm of Le Petit Prince, but it is this book, Land of Men - known originally in English as Wind, Sand and Stars - which is his masterpiece. First published in 1939, it documents Saint-Exupéry's life as a pilot in the pioneering days of long-distance flying and in particular his experiences as a pilot transporting mail across countries, across continents.
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What listeners say about Land of Men
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Marta
- 01-12-17
Wonderful book
I loved the book, it's written by a type of person we do not meet these days. Big thank you to Mr Boulton for such a passionate read .
4 people found this helpful
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- Rachel Redford
- 23-03-17
'At the heart of mystery'
In the 1930s and 40s Saint-Exupery was in the French Airforce flying flimsy unreliable little planes across frequently treacherous airmail routes over the oceans and Africa and South America. Land of Men (a direct translation of the original title Terre des hommes) is his account of his 1930s experiences, but not so much the narrative of them, as an extended meditation on 'the heart of mystery' which he finds whilst alone in the cockpit at the 'whim of the winds', the 'something vast' he sees in the corridors of moonlight beyond this flawed, earthly life.
There are tales and dramas as well, such as the account of his near-death in the Sahara after his plane came down. After days existing on only sandy dew, of tantalising mirages and with his rasping throat almost closed, he is saved by a Bedouin on a camel, an 'aureole of charity' shimmering in the desert sand, who gives him water. He arranges to buy a black slave and ensures that he is returned to his family in Agadir, and he laments the loss of pilots, his comrades which nothing can ever replace. At a local dwelling the lively daughters of the place tell him not to worry about the strange movements under the table - it is only the adders which live in the house walls! Saint-Exupery is also an acute observer of creatures and birds, like the desert fox which carefully removes only one nut from each branch.
That Land of Men was Saint-Exupery's original title suggests the importance he placed on his universal message. From the perspective of his plane buffeted by the turbulent winds, he could see people as crushed by modern life and their pursuit of money. He wanted a better life for them, closer to the 'invisible riches' and serenity which he had found amongst the stars.
Nicholas Boulton presents Saint-Exupery's musings beautifully, his depth of tone reflecting the depth of the author's thoughts and feelings. Ukemi Audiobooks has saved another classic for posterity!
5 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 06-06-20
A masterpiece of adventure, philosophy and nature.
Wind, Sand and Stars is a memoir in the form of a novel. However, the brilliant imagery, and the unity of meaning that fuses together the episodes, transform the work beyond pure autobiography or memoir. As the pilot surveys the elements around him, he concludes that the earth teaches man more about himself than books, because it resists man. "Man discovers himself when he measures himself against the obstacle." The heroes exalted in the book have become heroes because they have overcome obstacles, and the whole story of progress and creation in the world is based on such a struggle. One of the most moving passages is his account of his near fatal crash in the Libyan desert in 1935 while trying to break the flying record from Paris to Saigon. It was also the inspiration for The Little Prince. Happy reading and listening!
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- Timbo
- 17-04-19
Not for me
I thought I'd give this a go after a recommendation from someone else. I know it was a different time. But I just couldn't get past the self-aggrandizing. Even the simplest of things are described with hyperbole in a way that makes them sound noble, or rugged, or any other adjective one could associate with masculinity at the time. The plane is a beast, the pilot is a warrior, nature is the enemy. It's in the title. I should have known. However, the stories are without doubt exciting, and if this style of writing doesn't bother you, you will probably enjoy the book.
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- Scott at the Junction
- 25-09-18
phenomenal
I have left it too long to read this profound, beautiful book. It would be great to read it in French. It is a great narration too.
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- Jade Graham
- 04-07-18
Poetic prose
Beautifully written with several moments of jeopardy. However, it was not a book I rushed to return to.
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- Christina
- 16-08-19
Boring
Narrator is good but I found the book at times pompus and pretentious. Struggled through but was not rewarded, boring to the end..
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- The Saint
- 31-03-19
Soar to Surpassinh Heights
Far more illuminating than the more famous Little Prince, this book provokes timely and relevant thought in every line and page. With just a little quiet contemplation of this time-traveler's experiences in the vast deserts of Africa and in the skies, your life may be turned to new paths as yet undiscovered.