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)

Wonderful!

I learn so much, it the best history class ever! I have to say there were some parts that I just had to force myself to get through, my heart hurt so much, the wrath the Nazi's inflicted is sickening. Its part of our history. As hard as some of it is hard to read, I am so glad I did, I have such an appreciation for what all the families went through in Europe in both WW1 and WW2! Wow, I am so tied to all the characters, they have become my family! Thank you Ken Follett!

Amazing

Where does Winter of the World rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

These books by Ken Follet are among my favourite books ever. You just hope they will never end.

Humanizes World History

Where does Winter of the World rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have listened to many audiobooks over the years and this ranks right at the top.

What did you like best about this story?

The way the author humanizes world events and makes history come alive.

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

It is amazing all the dialecs that he is able to come up with for the characters from all parts of the world.

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

No, I listen to it as I drive to work. Much too long for one setting.

Any additional comments?

Makes me look forward to my drive to and from work.

Wonderful way to experience history

Wonderfully executed historical fiction utilizing characters from Great Britain, the United States, Germany, and Russia to provide wonderful understanding of the social and political climate prior to, during, and following World War II.
The narrator Is excellent as well.
Would highly recommend this audiobook

Unbelievably engrossing

One of the most captivating Books I have ever read, a history lesson for me since I was too immature to appreciate world history in high school-a must read for my grandkids!

Why the excess gratuitous s*x??

I don’t know why Follett feels it’s necessary to go to the lengths he does to include intimate moments inside the story line. They add nothing except a reflection of a writer’s flaw. This is a hard book to listen to though John Lee did his utmost to distinguish the characters. If you are a devout audio listener you’ll be fine (though you cannot listen to it in the car with your kids or your mother-in-law!). However, don’t make a Follett book your first exposure to audio books.

Excellent Historical Book

very well written and read. it was easy to keep walking as the story captivates your interest.

Great book, sad times for the world

Great story. As good as the first one. Today I will start the third. History, fiction and reality coming together. Ken Follett, a matter storyteller

Very Entertaining - Ready For Book Three

I enjoyed ‘Winter of the World’ very much. I found this book to be very entertaining and I will definitely purchase the third installment when it is available.
The Century Trilogy novels will probably not become classics in the same way we consider ‘The Good Earth’ and ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ as classics. This is why I am more inclined to give ‘Winter of the World’ four stars. There is not a poignant message in Ken Follett’s books – they are just entertaining in the same way a good movie is entertaining.
There were times when I lost interest in what was going on in the story (particularly during the drawn-out war scenes), but these moments were rare. I appreciate the length of the Century Trilogy books – I want my credit to go as far as possible (as long as I enjoy the book). I also enjoy how Follett ties in his fictional characters to real-world historical events. A few moments in the book seemed so outlandish to me I laughed aloud, but there were many more “real” moments than not.
John Lee is a fantastic narrator. I don’t know how he pulls off so many different characters, but he does it well.

A Must read for Follett and History fans!

This was a great read and an educational experience as well.

The narrator, John Lee does a superb job always

I’ll gladly read this book again when I have another 32 hours to devote to it. You don't want to miss any of the story and characters. I will recommend it to my book club.

I have read all of Ken Follett’s latest books (Pillars of the Earth, World Without End and Fall of Giants) and they are all epic, educational and wonderful. I can't think of anyone else who writes on this scale and keeps you totally immersed and totally entertained. I was a history major in college, yet I have learned so much with each of these reading experiences. Winter of the World covers pretty much the expanse of time I have been alive through WWII, and I still discovered things I didn’t know.

The depiction of multiple atrocities committed by soldiers and fellow citizens in the guise of love of country were chilling. It makes the point that it can happen anywhere, and we can never take our freedom and liberties for granted. I especially enjoyed the dialogue Valodja and Zoya had while discussing the Sears Catalog he brought back from America.