My favourite SK book. The best post-apocalyptic novel I've ever read. I've read it four times since 1980, and I will be reading again at least once more in my life. Great cast of characters and the suspense is tremendous. Flagg is a naughty man!

Id like to say that its an outstanding novel, no doubt there, has great characters, with a deep moral and spiritual search and a great epic - symbolic batlle between good and evil. But I wouldnt go as far as to say its his best book. Personally I prefer The Dead Zone, Pet Sematary, or The Dark Tower series in spite of the Stand but must admit that its a helluva nightmare!

Simply the best book ive EVER read another very good book by SK is the running man writing as richard bachman

this is one of the most amazing books ever by stephen king!!! whats happening right now in the world with the swine flu is a little bit like the stand... almost as if we're imitating the book...

one of my most favourite books dont know how many times i've read it the scariest thing about it is that it could come true more power to you

The stand is the best book ever !!!!!! It rocks!!! Im 12 and ive not yet finished it !

I read this book for the first time when I was 18. For 16 years now, I read it at least once a year. Thank you Stephen for writing my most favorite book.

Please please please release on Audible.com. I love to listen to the novels (I'm a multi-tasker). It's also fun to look very horrified while driving down the highway, weeding, mopping, etc...

The Stand-when was the original version written/published? You'd think I'd know, I read it, LOVED it (fave SK) and re-read the newer version...But it's been so long-I started reading Stephen King in Junior High-and considering my name is Carrie (or should that make me dislike SK?), it's no wonder I love him! It's time to read it again & want to make sure I get "complete/uncut"

I absolutely LOVE this story. I love the movie as well. However I am disappointed in the amount of detail and loss of charactrers that the movie had.

Wasn't there an earlier hardback edition of The Stand before 1990? I was sure I'd read it as a teen (circa 1977-1980). Still one of my top fav books ever. I just read "On Writing" and laughed when I read that I'm one of those narrow minded saps who still says this after decades. Sorry, Stephen. It really is a phenomenal, sweeping story. But my preference here isn't a reflection of the rest of your work since I haven't read many of your later stuff. I afraid of nothing as a teen... my life in those days was far scarier than any of your books. But later, this 'seasoned', motorcycle riding, bass playing novelist (inspired to be a writer early on by your writing style) wimped out. MIddle aged women are known for bladder control issues, so I'm more careful about what I read now. :-) BTW, thanks loads for On Writing. I'm trying to tackle a 1st novel revision as per agent directive, and your book helped me re-ignite a much needed passion for the fossil. Best to you and your upcoming work, and thanks for being my inspiration in at a time when inspiration turned out to be an unexpected life-line for a pretty messed up kid. God bless you!

It is truly hard to believe someone wrote this - that one person created a story so vivid, unique and personal to all in every way. In the past, I have read your (Stephen King) work particularly for study purposes (I'm an engineer from North Caroline and I desperately would like to become a writer one day); however, if I were to say I started reading this book because I wanted to study good writers, it would be an awful lie. Though I am yet to finish The Stand (I just finished Book 1 as of 5am this morning and I'm a software engineer who has to get up early and be on time for work), I felt inspired to at least put a message on your site, because it is, being only 1/3 of the way through, one of the best novels I've read. I hope your next novel, coming out this year, is just as good. Thanks, Stephen.

greetings from croatia, europe i liked book very much, great journey!!!! dreamcatcher and this book completely changed my perception on retarded persons. was disappointed when nick-my favourite character died anyway, its classic

I just finished The Stand for the third time in 15 years. It remains one of my top 5 books of all time. A remarkable journey, I now find myself missing Stu and Frannie!

omg i loved this book it was freaking amazing ... STEPHENKING YOU ROCK MY SOCKS OFF!!!

This is my all time favorite SK book!!! I have read this book so many times. Each time I read it, I feel like I'm going on an epic adventure. As a matter of fact, I feel that way about most SK books. I know when I open the book and slip between the pages, I'm going to be totally transported to another reality. Sometimes I have to stop reading and remind myself that I am safe and sound. I am the reader, the observer, not involved. And if I keep my hands inside the covers the thing under my bed can't get me. Thanks, SK.

I have only read pieces of it and the very begining, but I need to buy it. It looks very cool since it's subject is a zombie holocaust-whats not cool about that??? I didn't even know anything about a virus breaking loose either I had no idea what the hell this book was. so a few years ago I first started looking at it and then I started to get into it- I got further on The Shinning, Mr. King can uh really type Lol-LONG

man i must say u are my idiol i just started reading the stand a few days ago and i can't put it down i was the same way with the shining i got a long way to go cause it is over a thousand pages but im prepared for the ride thanks for all of your knowledge u have shared with us!!!

Undoubtedly a masterpiece, the stand took me on a journey unlike no other. However, I felt cheated in the end, the epic battle I was waiting for never happened, it all just sort of blew up. No pun intended. However as Mr. King himself states at the end of the Dark Tower, he doesn't write tales for the endings, and we shouldn't read them for that. He writes to write, we should read to get immersed in his plot.

This is an epic masterpiece of American literature. "The Stand" focuses on the psychological profiles on each character and allows it to bloom into one of the greatest novels ever. It also tells the classic battle between good and evil while keeping the reader turning pages and finding realistic characters, enviornments, and the true face of fear...all in one book.

This book is more truth right now than anything. Stephen King knows something.

All I can say is: WOW. Not only Mr. King's best work, but one of the best novels I've ever read. Truly epic, and a modern classic, this work will withstand the test of time. And let's not forget, Randal Flagg, the Walkin Dude, makes for one of the coolest villains ever, so much that I found myself rooting for HIM throughout!

The stand so deeply affected me upon the first reading. Best book of all time in my opinion. If I had a son I would have named him Stuart and Called him Stu! But I had a daughter and named her fran!

i am totally amazed by this mans imigination. I read IT, and then Duma Key, the dark tower series, and of course the stand.....the man is a genius. He is so versitile in his writing style, I would die a happy man if there was a the stand 2 out. to where the world goes after the end of flagg. God knows there will always be chaos.

After I had finished my first King book, The Shining, I was left hooked like a trout. Many people use drugs to experience a high of sorts. My drug was Mr. Kings books. I am now over 50 and am still waiting for a sequel to this story. After opening the book I could not put it down. I took it to lunch with me, in the bathroom, on holiday. Over the years I have read it several times and came away with a new a different feeling. I also watched the movie version, and can say that the movie was a slap in the face to say the very least. Please Mr King inject me with another chapter....

I actually owe my father a copy of this book. I've read the cover off of his original hardcover edition. I've bought myself two paperback editions because I read the pages right out of the book! This is phenomenal story telling. If someone tried to make me choose between The Stand and IT, I would probably die before ever making the decision!

Brilliantly written, every page hooks the reader, impossible to put down. I'm convinced King has sold his soul to the devil because that's the only I can concieve of explaining how such epic storytelling is possible.

This book has the distinction of being one of only four books that I have read more than once in my life. The others are: The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley, Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, and Animal Farm. The Stand is better than all of them! The connection to that book is what got me into "The Dark Tower". My all time favorite!

This is one of my all-time favorites by Stephen King as well as Apt Pupil, and The Dark Tower series

My first Stephen King book! Hooked me forever! I fell in love with all the characters, and nearly died when I came to the last page..nooooooooo! It can't end. lol. I think I've read nearly everything by our Mr. King.

I know you've been getting 'fan mail' for @40 years and I'm one of them. I think the The Stand (unabridged) has got to be the best novel I ever read and I'm still reading parts over again. Paperback fell apart and Hard cover almost tore my shoulder out. Maria Sarcione

Thank god this book came out and pretty much replaced the original put out that was around 600 pages, this one is somewhere around 4 or 500 more pages worth of subplot and character development. It's superior, no question about it. :D

THE BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Has to be my favorite book!!!!!!!!!

So much the best book / film I have ever experienced. This illustrates so much in nature, human or otherwise.

I have to say, I like the abridged version better, the one published in 1978. Both are extraodinary. It's the kind of book you just want to inhabit; the characters are so well-drawn and likeable...even the villains. I think my favorites are Nick Andros and Tom Cullen, because King creates such a memorable pair and you feel like you really go on a journey with them.

Simply Wow. An epic tale, so many characters, all with tough decisions to make. This is most King junkies favorite book, outside the Dark Tower series. Relates with the DT series.