This is the way the world ends: with a nanosecond of computer error in a Defense Department laboratory and a million casual contacts that form the links in a chain letter of death.And here is the bleak new world of the day after: a world stripped of its institutions and emptied of 99 percent of its people. A world in which a handful of panicky survivors choose sides — or are chosen. A world in … world in which good rides on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abigail — and the worst nightmares of evil are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the dark man.
In 1978 Stephen King published The Stand, the novel that is now considered to be one of his finest works. But as it was first published, The Stand was incomplete, since more than 150,000 words had been cut from the original manuscript.
Now Stephen King’s apocalyptic vision of a world blasted by plague and embroiled in an elemental struggle between good and evil has been restored to its entirety. The Stand : The Complete And Uncut Edition includes more than five hundred pages of material previously deleted, along with new material that King added as he reworked the manuscript for a new generation. It gives us new characters and endows familiar ones with new depths. It has a new beginning and a new ending. What emerges is a gripping work with the scope and moral comlexity of a true epic.
For hundreds of thousands of fans who read The Stand in its original version and wanted more, this new edition is Stephen King’s gift. And those who are reading The Stand for the first time will discover a triumphant and eerily plausible work of the imagination that takes on the issues that will determine our survival.
From the Hardcover edition.
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I’ve read The Stand atleast 15 times since it was published. I just downloaded the full version and read it yet again. I love the full version even more than the original. I finished the book about a week ago and still think about it every day. Love this book.
A typical King book and it all sounds real. You will not want to put it down.
If you only ever one book in your life. It should be this one. Read the extended version
I gave up reading Stephen King books because they literally gave me nightmares. This must be because the characters become so real! I can’t fault the authors writing.
A classic tale of good versus evil
A virus is accidentally released and slowly the majority of people on the planet die. Only those with a natural immunity remain. Of that remnant, people are either drawn toward a black woman in their dreams who follows God, or the anti-christ. Both groups go through difficulties in a world that has gone dark and is strewn with dead bodies. Eventually, they converge in an epic battle against good and evil. If you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories, I highly recommend the Stand.
Just read it!
This was the first book I read that Mr. King wrote. The best good versus evil book written. Since that time I’ve read most of all his books. I’m his biggest fan.
There are a number of editions of this book – I highly recommend Stephen King’s original manuscript (the longest version). This book took a hard look at what would happen to the world if most of the people were suddenly dead. And because it’s Stephen King, the struggle between good and evil is strong.
“The Lord is my shepherd,” he recited softly. “I shall not want for nothing. He makes me lie down in the green pastures. He greases up my head with oil. He gives me kung-fu in the face of my enemies. Amen.” – Tom Cullen
I loved the book. I watched the mini-series years ago. I had the characters from the mini-series in my mind when I was reading which made it even better. Also loved the differences from the mini-series adaptation. Book is always better. Good read.
My favorite, King at his best.
Great visuals. Stephen King before he started all his political crap. Great story line. Really moves fast. Great character development.
The *deus ex machina* ending killed it for me, hence my two-star rating.
To date, even though first read decades ago, I think this is the scariest book I’ve ever read! Not because of the good VS evil aspect Not because of the post apocalyptic theme.
but because I could see this happening in real life so easily any day now! That was what was so very truly scary!
One of his best!
1500 pages. 3 days. ‘Nuff said.
All time favorite book by this author
How a recovering alcoholic can damage their family when secluded in a haunted hotel. It is a movie now, but when I first read it I stayed up all night not only because it freaked me out but because it was a page-turner.
Best book he has ever written and one of the best books I have ever read. I actually read it twice when he released it a second time with parts that werent in the first book.
A classic. If you’ve never read it, give it a try.