The Children’s Story
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The Children’s Story Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

James Clavell (Author), Keith David (Narrator), Blackstone Publishing (Publisher)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 533 ratings
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“What does ‘allegiance’ mean?” the New Teacher asked, hand over her heart.

In this classic and chilling tale about an elementary school classroom in post-war occupied America, James Clavell brings to light the vulnerability of children and the power educators have to shape and change young minds. Originally written in the Cold War era, Clavell’s extraordinary and enduringly relevant allegory on the impressionability of the human mind is still read in schools around the globe today, and is a call to every person to keep questioning and keep learning.

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  1. Listening Length
    35 minutes
  2. Author
    James Clavell
  3. Narrator
    Keith David
  4. Audible release date
    November 22, 2022
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Blackstone Publishing
  7. ASIN
    B0BF1FGWM7
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 35 minutes
Author James Clavell
Narrator Keith David
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date November 22, 2022
Publisher Blackstone Publishing
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0BF1FGWM7
Best Sellers Rank #210,915 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#498 in Political Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#1,465 in Fiction Short Stories
#2,662 in Political Fiction (Books)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
533 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Angie L.
5.0 out of 5 stars Impactful Story!
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2023
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One of the best books I have ever read. My grandmother recommended it to me and I truly think everyone should read it.
2 people found this helpful
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Melliesmom
5.0 out of 5 stars Odd title.
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2024
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Very easy and quick to read Very thought provoking and upsetting all at the same time.
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Gretchen Hugentugler
5.0 out of 5 stars This book was done as a school play
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2024
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1972 I was in a play of the same name. It was the same story and brought back fond memories
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Ann L.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very scary!
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024
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I would say it's scarier than any Stephen King novel I've read!
If what is depicted in this book were to happen I wouldn't want to be around to see us or our posterity experience it.
It's a MUST READ!
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Gary D
4.0 out of 5 stars How easily we can be swayed!
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2016
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I knew about this book years ago, but it was out of print. In our time we are constantly being bombarded by useless facts. We are not asked to think nor do we have time to think as our phones almost constantly announce a text, tweet or some other distraction that keeps us from knowing the truth or each other.

This book subtly but surely scares me about our present and future that is being molded most often silently slowly without our awareness. Stop and look around, read, research, find the answers yourself. Don't let someone else guide you without asking why. I recommend this book.
12 people found this helpful
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Mary H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Makes you think
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2015
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I remember this story from the 1960's when it first came out and in some way it has haunted me ever since. I was in college in the late 60's and still naive. I heard this story and thought "oh this could never happen in real life". As I began my career as a teacher and later in the field of psychiatry, I realized just how easily this could really occur. Young children are very easily persuaded . . . that's not a criticism simply the reality of childhood. In this story we see just how smoothly this can happen. The new "teacher" is friendly, speaks softly, smiles, plays to the childrens' simple sense of logic. It takes her only 20 minutes to totally change the beliefs of these kids.

Read this story, but not at bedtime because it will (I hope) keep you awake thinking. Try to set aside a time when you can read it straight through. It moves quickly and is less than 100 pages. I believe you will finish a little breathless, trying to convince yourself it couldn't happen here. But think about how young children believe what they see and hear on the internet and then substitute some hi-tech presentation instead of the "teacher" in the book. It will have you thinking and telling your friends about this book you just read. Read this book .You won't regret a minute spent.
9 people found this helpful
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Jim Rainbolt
5.0 out of 5 stars THE CHILDREN'S STORY is even more timely in today's political climate.
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2023
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In the 1980s, a seventh grade student shared THE CHILDREN'S STORY with me. Over the next several years, I used it from time to time in teaching literature, sharing with my students how powerful words can be, how easily we can be manipulated, and how important it is that we learn to recognize that we are being manipulated. In light of what is happening today, I wanted to share this with my teen-aged grandchildren. I bought the book for them.
10 people found this helpful
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E. M. Barber
5.0 out of 5 stars For Children of Every Age
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2021
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James Clavell has written a short story with a deeper questioning than it’s length and title might at first glance portray. We are quickly brought to a place of asking “ Why do I….?” And what do those words and actions mean, particularly to me? This was quite an enjoyable read.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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rhea
5.0 out of 5 stars READ THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY
Reviewed in Canada on January 11, 2021
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Invitation to all humans: please read this book as soon as possible.
It is only about a 25 minute read. Could not be more relevant.
One person found this helpful
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Hugo
1.0 out of 5 stars This is not the story by James Clavell but an adaptation by George Selden
Reviewed in France on December 1, 2015
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James Clavell's story begins with the tale of how he came to write this story: his daughter comes home from school and says "you owe me a dollar because I can say "I pledge ally jen""...
Without this introduction the story makes no sense.
The adaptation by George Selden is a poor attempt to turn the story into a play.
This book can not be sold as "The Children's Story by James Clavell" because it isn't.
One person found this helpful
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Meenakshi Kushwaha
5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE IT
Reviewed in India on September 18, 2015
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I bought this for my daughter.She was reading it the whole day.

Will say everyone to buy this product.
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JMeredith
3.0 out of 5 stars Excellent but unfortunately short
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 6, 2013
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This is a great short story, cleverly written. It takes a simple but powerful idea and lets it unfurl in a classroom-setting, through the interaction of impressionable children and a particularly persuasive teacher. I wasn't sure if the message would translate well, not being American, but was pleased to discover it's pretty universal.
Although it is in no way misleading about its length, my feeling upon finishing it was frustration. It's the beginning of something excellent; I can imagine a book at least three times its size stemming from the scenario in The Children's Story. I feel like James Clavell was too hasty or unambitious after having his eureka moment - he could have thought about the potential to expand and elaborate upon the idea. For example, the lives of the parents could have been further explored, and their interaction with their newly-indoctrinised children and the occupiers.
So whilst I would certainly recommend this, I would always include a message of warning; frustratingly short!
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daniel
5.0 out of 5 stars Kurz und gut
Reviewed in Germany on June 4, 2013
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Eine tolle Kurzgeschichte von einem meiner Lieblingsautoren. Macht auf einfache Art darauf aufmerksam wie leicht wir alle (nicht nur unsere Kinder) manipulierbar sind. Aufrüttelnd und regt zum denken an!
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