A journalist on a cross-country Christmas train scales the rugged terrain of his own heart in this New York Times bestselling holiday tale that inspired the Hallmark Hall of Fame original movie!
Disillusioned journalist Tom Langdon must get from Washington to Los Angeles in time for Christmas. Forced to travel by train, he begins a journey of rude awakenings, thrilling adventures, and holiday magic. He has no idea that the locomotives pulling him across America will actually take him into the rugged terrain of his own heart, as he rediscovers people's essential goodness and someone very special he believed he had lost.
David Baldacci's THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN is filled with memorable characters who have packed their bags with as much wisdom as mischief...and shows how we do get second chances to fulfill our deepest hopes and dreams, especially during this season of miracles.
Download and start listening now!
"A friend of mine gave me a per copy of this book because I love train travel. I had it sitting on my shelf for a couple of years, so I bought the audio version. I ended up binge listening! It is a laid back story, which matches the laid back nature of train travel, the perfect mind cleanse after a hectic day. There are memorable characters, a bit of romance, some adventure, and a realistic look at what long distance train travel from New York to Los Angeles is like."
— Ruth (5 out of 5 stars)
“Baldacci has ventured with success beyond the thrillers that made his reputation…The narrative is loaded with cool train lore and plenty of romance and good cheer…Baldacci’s fans will snap it up as the Yuletide treat it is.”
— Publishers Weekly“Tim Matheson reads this entertaining, though familiar, story with good humor, his broad accents adding to the color of David Baldacci’s holiday tale.”
— AudioFile“Baldacci’s latest offering—a sweet holiday tale—is a departure from his last thriller, Last Man Standing…This latest Baldacci might not appeal to all of the fans who lap up his fast-paced thrillers, but the heartwarming holiday story might win him new fans who enjoy seasonal tales.”
— BooklistEvokes the glamour of classic romances.
— PeopleWonderful characters...all touched by the miracle of the Christmas season.
— Houston Home JournalThe makings of a classic...don't miss this delightful book.
— Southern Pines PilotAn enjoyable journey...'All aboard!'
— Orlando SentinelHeartwarming...a sweet holiday tale.
— BooklistHeartwarming...a touching, morally uplifting tale.
— Fort Worth Star-Telegram" A light read, a favorite to reread during my Christmas reading holiday. "
— Belinda, 2/17/2014" I absolutely loved this book. It had a magical feel to me and I loved all the characters in the story. There was certainly a romantic feel to the story. I finished this book about a year and a half ago. I'm going to re-read this book. I'd love to buy it in hard back. "
— Bill, 2/9/2014" Many of these Christmas books get trite and tiring, but the great skill of Baldacci made this so entertaining, and I loved the surprise at the ending. "
— Elaine, 2/7/2014" A little contrived, but fun. All the principals met on a train traveling from Washington D.C. to LA to arrive before Christmas, but fate and weather have other plans. I enjoyed the train employee characters and their love for their jobs, along with the stories that they told. I only wish that our train travel from Philadelphia to Denver would have been as friendly, but then it was over the 4th of July, not Christmas so I suppose the magic is lessened. "
— Debra, 2/7/2014" not bad. very different for david baldacci. the mark twain reminiscences (word?) were not my cup of tea but the mystery and love story and stories on the train I enjoyed "
— Dianne, 2/3/2014" Really enjoyed this story! "
— Teri, 2/1/2014" This was a nice easy, entertaining book for the holidays. "
— Wendy, 1/19/2014" Tom Langdon, reporter, rides the rails from WA DC to LA. Who can imagine the adventures, even the finding of his lost love. "
— Linnet, 1/3/2014" I learned a lot about the railroad. Some of it was fascinating. Wish there was more travel on rail these days. Who knows, maybe it will make a come back. Fun read around the holidays. "
— Ann, 12/12/2013" The entire story takes about as long as reading the book. Great characters, terrific interaction. I was right there riding that train. "
— Tim, 12/7/2013" I love Christmas stories! "
— Allyson, 11/6/2013" Excellent book. I thought I had it all figured out until the last page! "
— Lynne, 11/1/2013" This is a little different than Baldacci's usual books. While there is still some mystery, the characters, especially the guy making the trip, are more develped and the reader makes more connections to them. It is a hearwarming story I think I would read again. "
— Kriscrowe, 10/22/2013" Generally a pretty basic straight-forward read, fun to read at Christmas. Not a typical Balducci. The ending was the best part. "
— Cindy, 10/16/2013" I loved the character development in this book and also the many twists and intrigues. "
— Denise, 7/16/2012" Good holiday story. "
— Lauriesinclair13, 5/2/2012" very enjoyable book for the holidays "
— Michele, 11/29/2011" It was an easy read with a few twists thrown in to keep me on my toes. "
— ~sheila~, 11/1/2011" A; I knew I read it before but couldn't remember the full ending. The last chapter kind of snuck up on me, but it was worth a second read. "
— Cathy, 10/3/2011" Nice Christmas read. "
— Lisa, 8/23/2011" A little bit funny, a little bit mysterious, the characters a little bit out of the box all threaded with fun romance. Then add that the adventure takes place on a cross country train ride and you're ready for a fun read! "
— Patricia, 7/14/2011" I listened to this book in the car on the way to my in-laws' for Christmas. It was okay. It took too long to get interesting that by the time it did, I was bored. "
— Janelle, 6/30/2011" I read this totally out of season because it was the only book I could find that was available for donwload on my nook at the library. Everything else on my "to read" list I had to put in a hold request. But I still liked it, definitely not a typical Baldacci book though. "
— Linda, 6/24/2011" If you want to read Baldacchi, but don't like thrillers, then this is the book for you. Easy to read, full of twists and turns and surprises, but everything works out in the end. "
— Susan, 6/14/2011" Another one of my favorites ON CD! The sound effects and the Reader are a great enhancement to this wonderful adventure of a man on a cross country train trip! "
— Barbara, 6/8/2011" Someone reviewed it and said the story reminds you of a Old Hollywood movie. Sort of like White Christmas if you need an example. It just doesn't have music. "
— Laura, 5/26/2011" It was obviously a page-turner since I finished it in a few hours, ha. Definitely not what I expected at all but still good. Definitely a welcome departure from the normal legal-thriller stuff the author normally does. "
— Sarah, 5/22/2011" Wishy washy. Not up to standard of some of his other books. "
— FRANCIS, 4/14/2011" I loved his book wish you well. This one is going okay. I should be finishing it in the next day or so. <br/> "
— Britni, 3/22/2011" I always like to select a holiday themed book around to read around Christmas. This was a fun read! "
— Leesa, 3/5/2011" A nice light read, sentimental, appropriate for the Christmas season. "
— CynthiaA, 2/9/2011" Did not care for the narrator. OK story. Missed chances and opportunity for a second chance. "
— Jan, 2/3/2011" I agree with Kelly's recommendation: predictable, somewhat cliche, with a twist at the end. Okay for a light read. "
— Martine, 1/11/2011" Mindless read. Capitalizes on the romanticism of trains and snow and Christmastime. One of my mom's favorites. "
— Tamara, 1/9/2011" Did not like the story in fact did not finish the book.. "
— Jerald, 1/8/2011" This was a fun read, it left me with a srong desire to travel some where by train. "
— Dawn, 1/3/2011" I listened to this book in the car on the way to my in-laws' for Christmas. It was okay. It took too long to get interesting that by the time it did, I was bored. "
— Janelle, 1/3/2011David Baldacci is one of the world’s favorite storytellers and a global bestselling author, with twenty-one of his novels making the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list. In 2011 he was inducted into the International Crime Writing Hall of Fame. His books are published in over forty-five languages and in more than eighty countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. His works have been adapted for both feature film and television. He is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across America.
Tim Matheson is an American actor, director and producer perhaps best known for his portrayal of the smooth talking Eric “Otter” Stratton in the 1978 comedy Animal House, but has had a variety of other well-known roles both before and since including critical accolades for his playing Vice President John Hoynes on the television series, The West Wing, which garnered him two Primetime Emmy award nominations for Best Guest Star in a Drama Series.