Listen free for 30 days
-
Miracle and Wonder
- Conversations with Paul Simon
- Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam, Paul Simon
- Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Miracle and Wonder
Buy Now for $32.32
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's Summary
*For a more up-to-date version check out Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon (Special Edition)
What happens when Paul Simon, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in music history, and Malcolm Gladwell, the best-selling author, sit down together, with a tape recorder and a guitar?
Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon is part memoir, part investigation, and unlike any creative portrait you’ve ever heard before. Recorded over a series of 30 hours of conversation between Simon, Gladwell, and Gladwell’s oldest friend and co-writer, journalist and Broken Record podcast co-host Bruce Headlam, the conversation flows from Simon’s music, to his childhood in Queens, NY, to his frequent collaborators including Art Garfunkel and the nature of creativity itself. Gladwell and Headlam traveled from the mountains of Hawaii to Simon’s own backyard studio to record an artist they’ve idolized since childhood.
Woven throughout the audiobook is distinctive commentary about Simon’s songwriting alongside archival audio footage and never-before-heard live studio versions and original recordings of beloved hits including “The Boxer", “The Sound of Silence", and “Graceland”. Between conversations, Gladwell deploys his signature blend of historical research and social science in an attempt to understand how a boy from 1940s Queens conjured near-perfect songs over an incredible 65-year career. Along the way, he gathers reflections on Simon’s particular genius from the likes of Sting, Herbie Hancock, Renee Fleming, Jeff Tweedy, Aaron Lindsey, and Roseanne Cash.
The result is an intimate audio biography of one of America’s most popular songwriters. Brimming with music and conversation, Miracle and Wonder is a window into Simon’s legendary career, what it means to be alive as an artist, and how to create work that endures.
You may also enjoy...
-
I Hate the Ivy League
- Riffs and Rants on Elite Education
- Written by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 71
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 57
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 58
Malcolm Gladwell has long relished the opportunity to skewer the upper echelons of higher education, from the institution of U.S. News & World Report’s Best College rankings to the LSATs to the luxe Bowdoin College cafeteria. I Hate the Ivy League: Riffs and Rants on Elite Education, upends the traditional thinking around how education should work and tries to get to the bottom of why we often reward the wrong people.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Relevant and informative
- By Anonymous User on 2023-06-04
Written by: Malcolm Gladwell
-
What the Dog Saw
- And Other Adventures
- Written by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 288
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 236
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 234
The best-selling author of The Bomber Mafia focuses on "minor geniuses" and idiosyncratic behavior to illuminate the ways all of us organize experience in this "delightful" (Bloomberg News) collection of writings from The New Yorker. What is the difference between choking and panicking? Why are there dozens of varieties of mustard-but only one variety of ketchup? What do football players teach us about how to hire teachers? What does hair dye tell us about the history of the 20th century?
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Light but Compelling
- By GTHA001 on 2018-09-18
Written by: Malcolm Gladwell
-
Paul Simon
- The Life
- Written by: Robert Hilburn
- Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris
- Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 11
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 8
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 8
Through such hits as "The Sound of Silence", "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "Still Crazy After All These Years", and "Graceland", Paul Simon has spoken to us in songs for a half-century about alienation, doubt, resilience, and empathy in ways that have established him as one of the most honored and beloved songwriters in American pop music history. His music has gone beyond the sales charts into our cultural consciousness. He was the first songwriter awarded the Gershwin Prize by the Library of Congress and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Written by: Robert Hilburn
-
The Bomber Mafia
- A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War
- Written by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 951
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 805
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 802
Malcolm Gladwell, author of New York Times best sellers including Talking to Strangers and host of the podcast Revisionist History, uses original interviews, archival footage, and his trademark insight to weave together the stories of a Dutch genius and his homemade computer, a band of brothers in Central Alabama, a British psychopath, and pyromaniacal chemists at Harvard. As listeners hear these stories unfurl, Gladwell examines one of the greatest moral challenges in modern American history.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Amazing!
- By Spinningwheelgirl on 2021-04-30
Written by: Malcolm Gladwell
-
So Many Steves
- Afternoons with Steve Martin
- Written by: Steve Martin, Adam Gopnik
- Narrated by: Steve Martin, Adam Gopnik
- Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 5
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 2
Steve Martin met his good friend Adam Gopnik three decades ago, and in that time, Gopnik has always marveled at Martin’s ability to flourish in a wide variety of artforms: magic, comedy, art collecting, writing, and music. In So Many Steves: Afternoons with Steve Martin, New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik creates a new type of profile: a year’s worth of conversations with Martin where Gopnik pulls back the curtain on his friend’s illustrious career.
Written by: Steve Martin, and others
-
David and Goliath
- Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
- Written by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 767
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 634
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 628
Explore the power of the underdog in Malcolm Gladwell's dazzling examination of success, motivation, and the role of adversity in shaping our lives, from the best-selling author of The Bomber Mafia. Three thousand years ago on a battlefield in ancient Palestine, a shepherd boy felled a mighty warrior with nothing more than a stone and a sling, and ever since then the names of David and Goliath have stood for battles between underdogs and giants. David's victory was improbable and miraculous. He shouldn't have won. Or should he have?
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Yet another great look at the way we look at life.
- By Rob on 2018-11-07
Written by: Malcolm Gladwell
-
I Hate the Ivy League
- Riffs and Rants on Elite Education
- Written by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 71
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 57
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 58
Malcolm Gladwell has long relished the opportunity to skewer the upper echelons of higher education, from the institution of U.S. News & World Report’s Best College rankings to the LSATs to the luxe Bowdoin College cafeteria. I Hate the Ivy League: Riffs and Rants on Elite Education, upends the traditional thinking around how education should work and tries to get to the bottom of why we often reward the wrong people.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Relevant and informative
- By Anonymous User on 2023-06-04
Written by: Malcolm Gladwell
-
What the Dog Saw
- And Other Adventures
- Written by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 288
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 236
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 234
The best-selling author of The Bomber Mafia focuses on "minor geniuses" and idiosyncratic behavior to illuminate the ways all of us organize experience in this "delightful" (Bloomberg News) collection of writings from The New Yorker. What is the difference between choking and panicking? Why are there dozens of varieties of mustard-but only one variety of ketchup? What do football players teach us about how to hire teachers? What does hair dye tell us about the history of the 20th century?
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Light but Compelling
- By GTHA001 on 2018-09-18
Written by: Malcolm Gladwell
-
Paul Simon
- The Life
- Written by: Robert Hilburn
- Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris
- Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 11
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 8
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 8
Through such hits as "The Sound of Silence", "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "Still Crazy After All These Years", and "Graceland", Paul Simon has spoken to us in songs for a half-century about alienation, doubt, resilience, and empathy in ways that have established him as one of the most honored and beloved songwriters in American pop music history. His music has gone beyond the sales charts into our cultural consciousness. He was the first songwriter awarded the Gershwin Prize by the Library of Congress and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Written by: Robert Hilburn
-
The Bomber Mafia
- A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War
- Written by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Length: 5 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 951
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 805
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 802
Malcolm Gladwell, author of New York Times best sellers including Talking to Strangers and host of the podcast Revisionist History, uses original interviews, archival footage, and his trademark insight to weave together the stories of a Dutch genius and his homemade computer, a band of brothers in Central Alabama, a British psychopath, and pyromaniacal chemists at Harvard. As listeners hear these stories unfurl, Gladwell examines one of the greatest moral challenges in modern American history.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Amazing!
- By Spinningwheelgirl on 2021-04-30
Written by: Malcolm Gladwell
-
So Many Steves
- Afternoons with Steve Martin
- Written by: Steve Martin, Adam Gopnik
- Narrated by: Steve Martin, Adam Gopnik
- Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 5
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 2
Steve Martin met his good friend Adam Gopnik three decades ago, and in that time, Gopnik has always marveled at Martin’s ability to flourish in a wide variety of artforms: magic, comedy, art collecting, writing, and music. In So Many Steves: Afternoons with Steve Martin, New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik creates a new type of profile: a year’s worth of conversations with Martin where Gopnik pulls back the curtain on his friend’s illustrious career.
Written by: Steve Martin, and others
-
David and Goliath
- Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
- Written by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 767
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 634
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 628
Explore the power of the underdog in Malcolm Gladwell's dazzling examination of success, motivation, and the role of adversity in shaping our lives, from the best-selling author of The Bomber Mafia. Three thousand years ago on a battlefield in ancient Palestine, a shepherd boy felled a mighty warrior with nothing more than a stone and a sling, and ever since then the names of David and Goliath have stood for battles between underdogs and giants. David's victory was improbable and miraculous. He shouldn't have won. Or should he have?
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Yet another great look at the way we look at life.
- By Rob on 2018-11-07
Written by: Malcolm Gladwell
What listeners say about Miracle and Wonder
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Breck Liles
- 2023-07-19
Brilliant homage to a great artist.
Amazing work and a brilliant idea to have a musical biography. Very entertaining and insight into the mind of a great entertainer. I believe I love Paul Simon even more now.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Laura Feeleus
- 2022-01-09
My first Audible
I’ve listened to Malcolm Gladwell’s podcasts for years. This was of the same impeccable yet human and entertaining quality. Having Simon relate the stories behind his works was genius, and of course mixing that with the music itself made for a full listen. Loved it. Hard to find a follow up of the same enjoyment.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2022-01-06
In the background of my life
These wonderful conversations and music made me realize how much Paul Simon’s enduring creative output has been part of our lives.
Beautiful insights by Gladwell on creativity and Simon’s memory and openness of collaboration is truly inspiring.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- ShelleyCS
- 2022-02-01
Brilliant look at a true talent
I’ve listened to this several times and I’m not sure who I’m most impressed with - the amazing talent at the heart of this or the great interview. Both are extremely well done.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anthony Longo
- 2021-12-23
A must read/listen for any music lover
Great audio book. Malcolm Gladwell does a great job having Paul Simon tell his story. Many antidotes, funny stories and great insights into one of the greatest songwriters of all time. A must listen to audio book if you are a Paul Simon fan or a lover of music.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 2022-07-18
Brilliant
This is a wonderful listen. It’s so well researched, recorded and presented. It’s captivating from beginning to end. If you’ve ever even heard of Paul Simon this book is for you. As for Malcolm Gladwell - once again he doesn’t disappoint. His thoughtful, honest and interesting questions lead to revealing insights into the genius of Paul Simon. Thanks to everyone and congratulations on an excellent piece of work.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Beth L Goldberg
- 2022-10-12
includes music
I will certainly listen again. This was more an audio documentary rather than a book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- MaG_A
- 2023-01-17
Great story
Awesome interview and storytelling… if you enjoy Paul Simon’s music you’ll love the story, well worth the listen
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Om-sweet-om
- 2021-11-20
Beyond great! I loved this so much!
Whether you are a songwriter, an artist, or just someone who admires the creative process when it reaches the level of genius, this is a treasure. I love the relaxed journey that Malcolm Gladwell takes the listener through a lifetime of songwriting and performance. The conversation is liberally sprinkled with ad hoc performances by Paul Simon as he explains what he was thinking when writing each song discussed. It's both intimate and light and thoroughly enjoyable in every aspect.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- MKH
- 2022-02-02
Extremely Well Done
This is a must for any Paul Simon fan. A very unique way of interviewing and chatting with Paul and getting to the roots of his music.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!