Winter of the World

The Century Trilogy, Book 2

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 31 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Picking up where Fall of Giants, the first novel in the extraordinary Century Trilogy, left off, Winter of the World follows its five interrelated families - American, German, Russian, English, and Welsh - through a time of enormous social, political, and economic turmoil, beginning with the rise of the Third Reich, through the great dramas of World War II, and into the beginning of the long Cold War.

Carla von Ulrich, born of German and English parents, finds her life engulfed by the Nazi tide until daring to commit a deed of great courage and heartbreak...

American brothers Woody and Chuck Dewar, each with a secret, take separate paths to momentous events, one in Washington, the other in the bloody jungles of the Pacific...

English student Lloyd Williams discovers in the crucible of the Spanish Civil War that he must fight communism just as hard as fascism...

Daisy Peshkov, a driven social climber, cares only for popularity and the fast set until war transforms her life, while her cousin Volodya carves out a position in Soviet intelligence that will affect not only this war but also the war to come.

©2012 Ken Follett (P)2012 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Gripping....powerful." (The New York Times)

"[Follett] is so good at plotting a story, even one that takes on such a complex topic such as the World War II era. That's what makes Winter of the World so hard to put down. You want to know what happens next." (The Associated Press)

"A consistently compelling portrait of a world in crisis." (The Washington Post)

Incredible book, incredible reading

Great reading that really brings characters to life. Follett is a master whose research is impeccable and sweeps you away to another era. You don't just read/listen to his books you devour every word of them.

"Winter of the World"

"Winter of the World" continues with the next generation of families from the "Fall of Giants". I enjoy the history and background Ken Follett does in his books. His insight of the conditions and treatment of Germans who do not support the politics of Hitler was interesting.

Masterpiece

A fantastic piece of historical fiction that also reminds me of the terrorism in the world today.

Another Follet Masterpiece

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

Can't say enough about the way Follet makes world war ii come alive through the eyes of people of all the main countries. While battling their own personal challenges they battle each other from other countries. Puts a very personalized view on the events of the war and the actions that made some people despicable, some countries terrible and yet humanized others to show their compassion.

A good listen but the first one was better

I was eagerly awaiting Book 2 and was not disappointed. I thought the first book was better but this one kept me going all the way through. My biggest problem was so much history to cover that many parts were just glossed over. John Lee was great!

Disappointing technical problem

If you could sum up Winter of the World in three words, what would they be?

Story was great up to and including Chapter 112, whereafter the story disappeared and all I could hear was beeps.

As good as the first book of the series!

I waited for this second book in the series and now am waiting for the third. So far, Ken Follett has never disappointed!

Great as Usual!

I love this series. I was born mid 20th century so seeing the world through the eyes of characters who are in it brings my social studies classes to life. The narrator is great. Only one issue.: Daisy's accent drove me nuts. Someone from Buffalo would not sound like that. She sounded like someone who grew up in Brooklyn.

History should be taught like this

What made the experience of listening to Winter of the World the most enjoyable?

I think the characters of this series are so believable. I felt like shouting at them at pivitol points to get out of a certain location, like the Pearl Harbor segment or the Russians coming into Berlin.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Winter of the World?

The most shocking is the part where the German soldier arrested a gay restaurant owner and his lover and what happened at the prison.

If you could rename Winter of the World, what would you call it?

I think Winter of the World is aptly named.

Any additional comments?

This book made me want to get ahold of a high school history book and follow along with the timeline.
I think of my parents, who were lucky to be in the stateside military. But what the world must of seemed like to them. Wish they were here to discuss this book with.

Champion!!

I've been reading Ken Follett books for 30 years and he just gets better with every novel! The middle book of some trilogies is usually a bit slow, but not this one. I am anxiously awaiting the final book and please, please do not change the narrator! John Lee is excellent!