The Winds of War

By: Herman Wouk

Narrated by: Kevin Pariseau

Length: 45 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

A masterpiece of historical fiction, this is the Great Novel of America's "Greatest Generation".

Herman Wouk's sweeping epic of World War II, which begins with The Winds of War and continues in War and Remembrance, stands as the crowning achievement of one of America's most celebrated storytellers. Like no other books about the war, Wouk's spellbinding narrative captures the tide of global events - and all the drama, romance, heroism, and tragedy of World War II - as it immerses us in the lives of a single American family drawn into the very center of the war's maelstrom.

Also listen to War and Remembrance.

©1971 Herman Wouk (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Wouk's real genius lies not just in the narrative power of his books, but in his empathy with the people and the times of which he writes…. The genius of The Winds of War and War and Remembrance is that they not only tell the story of the Holocaust, but tell it within the context of World War II, without which there is no understanding it." ( The Washington Post)

Completely engrossing. Amazing historical fiction

The book was absolutely wonderful and the narration was equal to the task. One of the best listens I have had.

Long Winds!

A great book and interesting story but wow was it long! Found myself struggling to finish it.

Terrific blend of fact and fiction

This is historical fiction at its finest. The book is been around for a while and has been acknowledged as one of the best of it's kind. I agree. We all know how World War II turned out but I won't ruin the storyline (I hate when reviewers retell the story). I will just say that
Herman Wouk, really did his homework. He knows his stuff and stuck to the facts. At times that makes for the characters to be in some unlikely places but I prefer that to having to keep up with 3000 characters (Game of Thrones, anyone?).
Kevin Pariseau's narration is wonderful. He never gets boring, he captured the different personalities and brought them to life. If you're more interested in why history unfolded than just dates and times, I highly recommend Winds of War.

Life Before Pearl Harbor

A few years ago I watched the mini-series The Winds of War and thoroughly enjoyed it. However, until recently I was unable to find an audiobook of the original. I jumped at the chance to obtain it, as well as its sequel, War and Remembrance, when it was offered by audible several months ago. I have been pleasantly surprised to find that in all important plot areas the mini-series of the first book was remarkably true to Wouk???s novel.

However, the book provides significantly more historical background and context than was possible in a film version. The Winds of War would be an excellent vehicle for learning and understanding the events, especially in Europe, that led up to the spreading war as well as the reluctant entrance of the U.S. after Pearl Harbor. A great deal of information is skillfully woven into the lives of an American military family whose members reflect the culture and mores of that time. I admired them while seeing them as believable, flawed characters. Wouk placed these people at critical places in the world when major events were taking place and thereby showed how actual human beings are impacted by history.

I recommend The Winds of War highly. Kevin Pariseau does an excellent narration of the text. I hope that I will be as satisfied with War and Remembrance and will report on that book when I have finished it. It will be interesting to see if the mini-series of the sequel was as faithful to the original text as this one was.

Excellent audio version of a great WWII Novel

What did you love best about The Winds of War?

The characters and the author's obvious knowledge of the War and the politics that led up to WWII. Mr. Wouk has a knack for managing to bring all the different strands of the cord that was WWII into one family's life and make it believable and interesting.

You also forget, in hindsight, how much Americans did not want to be involved in the war and how politicians throughout the world did not want to be bothered with the "Jewish problem" much to horror of those of us who see in retrospect what the Nazi's did to that race of man.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Winds of War?

The escape to Prague and the Prague bombardment; though Natalie was rather obnoxious through a lot of the book!

What about Kevin Pariseau’s performance did you like?

I like how he voiced Pug Henry and several of the other characters. None of the voices were annoying. Never did the story become dry even in the stretches where he was lining up the moments in history that the Henrys' were living through.

Excellent!

The story was wonderful, the characters were so well written. And the reader was by far the best I've listened to yet!

A favorite of mine

I won’t forget these memorable characters; so well
developed by Herman Wouk. Winds of War is full of
accurate historical details - some of it, completely new to me- as the reader hears about a refreshingly patriotic navy family, who struggle to stay together. I happily allowed Winds of War to wrap itself around my mind loving every minute as I listened to this epic
tale in history.

As Relevant as When it was Written

Narrator made history and family story come alive. Speaks to change in world order today.

Amust Read

If you could sum up The Winds of War in three words, what would they be?

Everyone should read.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Winds of War?

Too many to list. You become so involved in the lives of the characters that you wan't to pray for them and then realize they are fiction.

Which scene was your favorite?

I listened to this book for over a month, it is an epic, and this one takes you through the beginning of World War II before the U.S. enters it. You learn all the background and why things happened as they did. Not only do you enjoy fiction but the history of this era and the countries involved.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Too many to list. couldn't wait to listen to the next part.

Any additional comments?

This and "War and Remembrance" needs to required reading for the current generation so we don't make this mistake again. Also, the narration was a masterpiece. He should get an Oscar.

Great Saga of an era.

I had to think twice about taking on this long 47 hours story. But so happy I did.
Great story and characters, well narrated. Engrossing one just can’t stop listening to the saga unfold.

I had watched the TV Mini Series years
Ago. And decided to go online to buy the DVD series. But price for the few I saw were ridiculous.
But on further searching, found it on YouTube.
And loved it all over again. Following the book almost word for word.
So I endorse the Audiobook and the Mini Series totally. You won’t be disappointed.