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)

WW II

Loved it, It was long but a great one to listen too. you'll enjoy it

Yes, it's still good.

Herman Wouk's epic fiction leading up to World War II will always be great. This presentation of the novel is excellent.

Fantastic story

Great for those who love historical fiction. interesting point of view of outlook before WW2.

I have loved this book...

...Ever since I first read it when it came out. It combines a compelling story line with rich and believable characters with in depth and well researched history.

Kevin Pariseau was an outstanding choice to narrate this book and its sequel "War and Remembrance". Sheer perfection.

Totally engrossing.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Winds of War to be better than the print version?

With a first rate reader, I prefer the audio.

What did you like best about this story?

Becoming totally engrossed in the history of our nation in the context of WW II and the men and women whose lives where shaped by its powerful events and the decisions they faced as a consequence.

Have you listened to any of Kevin Pariseau’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, never before, but I certainly admire his talent as a reader.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! But at 3 o'clock in the morning one must reluctantly surrender the headset for the pillow.

Any additional comments?

Nothing important.

Narrator is outstanding

I've been devouring books on WWII - a lot of history (Shirer, Roberts), some like this one - quasi-fiction (Erik Larson). Both Wouk's book and Larson's provide perspective on why the United States took so long to enter the war, and the political & historical context for the decisions. This book is good - well-written and the narrator is outstanding. His ability to give characters different voices, to take the accents of different countries is exceptional. I know I read this good (OH SO MANY) years ago. I don't remember anything. But I will remember the audio version.

Excellent Story & Narration

What did you love best about The Winds of War?

The story was really interesting, informative and captivating. Little by little, you're drawn in to this world and to the characters. You want to know what happens to them because you've gotten to know them and you care about them.

What did you like best about this story?

Character development and the descriptive settings and events in the story. You hear from different characters through their own unique perspective.

Which character – as performed by Kevin Pariseau – was your favorite?

Kevin Pariseau gives everyone a different voice and accent. I liked FDR's character as I heard him given a voice by Kevin. It was excellent work.

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

As I listened to the noose tightening around Natalie and Aaron's living situation, I kept thinking that I wanted to tell them to get out, get out of there, right now!

Any additional comments?

I've already purchased

The Winds of War

Winds of War is part one, followed by War and Remembrance, of the story of the Henry family in the period leading up to Pearl Harbor. Herman Wouk has distilled much of the history of World War II in these two volumes, seen primarily from the point of view of an American Navy family. It covers a lot of territory -- not just the United States mainland, Hawaii (not yet a state in the union), prewar Germany, Russia, and Italy, among other places. Wouk clearly draws on his experiences in the U.S. Navy in World War II, which gives great authenticity to the story, His solid background research makes this a good overview of the developing war and its complications make this suitable for anyone who might read a sweeping novel, but be reluctant to read a non-fiction account, no matter how well-written (and there are great historian writers out there whose work is quite accessible to armchair historians). One intriguing feature of the story is the inclusion of the overview of the war from the German point of view, as written by the character of Armin von Roon, a German submariner during his postwar imprisonment.
The story is in the family saga genre, which I usually don't care for. but the characters are plausible, and their dilemmas and adventures kept my attention throughout. I did find it rather strange that Bryan Henry, the wayward son who went to Italy to study art, ends up marrying a Jewish woman, but this served to open the narrative to bring in more of the European aspects of the war, and begin to address the dire consequences for the Jews of Europe. The situation in which Natalie Henry (nee Jastrow) finds herself, trapped in fascist Italy as the war in Europe progresses, seemed at first far-fetched, but in fact, many real Jews found themselves in equally strange circumstances with bizarre escapes as well as tragic ends. Having worked with some of the major Holocaust historians, I know that many events were in some cases stranger than fiction and well-documented.
The narrator is quite good, which adds immensely to the enjoyment of this long, long novel. I have only some slight quibbles about his attempts at pronouncing the few Hebrew words, and the German and Italian and Russian accented-English of the characters.
My only complaint: it was hard to make myself turn off the recording and get on with my work or go to sleep. Like any great novel, hard to put down.

I am enjoying it.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have recommended it, but most think it is too long, and would be too slow.

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

Escaping from Warsaw after the German invasion.

Which scene was your favorite?

Not sure

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

True to it's subject and time.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, It's historically accurate as well as entertaining

Who was your favorite character and why?

Victor "Pug" Henry

Have you listened to any of Kevin Pariseau’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I intend to add him to my list of outstanding performers. He is a very intelligent narrator, actor and personality. He is thoroughly prepared to introduce you to every charactor in these books. They come alive and you forget that this is one man performing every role.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Years ago, I watched the mini-series on TV. The book is so much better.