Audiobooks discussion

An audiobook recommendation that keeps popping up is World War Z. People seem to love it due to having several voice actors. The thing is though, there are THREE different versions of World War Z - all with multiple actors!

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War Audiobook
https://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/Wo...
Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins

World War Z: The Complete Edition (Movie Tie-in Edition): An Oral History of the Zombie War
https://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fan...
Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins

World War Z
https://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fan...
Length: 14 hrs

Do any of you have comments or suggestions about which edition to read? My library has the shortest version and at first I was surprised at the length, then I realized the issue about multiple versions. I'd love some input about this! Thanks!! :-)

Great question. I have an interest in which one to get as well.

The one I listened to was great. I've set a reminder to check which version I have when I get home.

It didn't list the cast, just said "full cast", but the length was 6 hours.

I'm curious how the other two are twice as long.

UPdate: Well damn. The 6 & 12 hour versions say Abridged.

I liked the book, but now I'm pretty determined to hear the unabridged 14 hour version.

I think the one I listened to was the only one available at the time, so that's probably what many have listened to.

Okay, last post. The unabridged is in German and has a mediocre rating.

The complete version says it includes the unabridged version along with some extras. That's probably the one I would go with if doing it over.

J. wrote: "The one I listened to was great. I've set a reminder to check which version I have when I get home."

Thank you for the updates! I do find it strange that there are three versions, and that the shortest version is the one that was released first (to me, kind of making it the "official" version?).

If you listen to the 12 hour one, it would be neat to hear your thoughts on the differences, in particular if you think the added content was helpful or necessary and how it affected the story.

I will be watching for any other discussion as well.

It'll probably be a while before I get around to getting back to it, but I'll make it a point to update when I do.

I'm still happy with the book I heard, it didn't feel rushed, too short or like it was missing anything.

I read the latest version which is 12 hours long, with an all-star cast, meaning a lot of famous actors. The movie tie-in version.

While audible's edition is technically abridged (5 mins missing from chapter 2, footnotes missing and two chapters, 54 & 56, weren't recorded), this is the best full cast recording of the book you'll ever get.

If you want the truly unabridged version of the book you'll have to go with the Zeiger read copy.

The 14h version linked by Sharon is the one I listened to. It seems to be the UK copyright version. The performers are less well known, but I enjoyed it immensely.

Haven’t tried the other version. I imagine it is only available in the US.

Having audio-read the 14h version, I don't recall any part where I thought that it was inessential to the story and should have been pruned out.

For me, the only books that should be abridged are those that are stuffed with lengthy digressions and meditations and other guff that (though they may be appreciated by some) just serve to make the book unreadable for the average present-day reader. Yes, Moby Dick, I'm looking at you!