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)

A wonderful story I got to listen.

Would you listen to Winter of the World again? Why?

Yes, it allowed me to escape into a different world.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I already knew alot about the WWII but it was fun to experience the evnets in a more personal way than just reading the history.

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He was able to let me become the characters in my mind so I could experience what they were experiencing. Sometimes I was anger at the actions of some of the characters that i like very much overall.

Who was the most memorable character of Winter of the World and why?

I loved the narrator's performance.

Fantastic Historic fiction

Ken Follett continues strong in his new genre of historic fiction. Having done a great job of creating multiple families in Britain, America, Germany and Russia during the Fall of Giants, he picks up with the rising generation at WWII approaches. Although the happenstance of encounters among characters is sometime a little too convenient, the linkage of historic fact with compelling fiction is amazing. I hope he finishes the third book of the Trilogy!

John Lee's narration is just right for this story

John Lee does a superb job.

Would you consider the audio edition of Winter of the World to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print version so I can not judge which is best but I suspect the Audible version is better since Lee did such a good job of narration.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Ending was a little disappointing and did not lead into sequels to come.

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

I have listened to several of John Lee's performances. I think this was one of the best. Story here was not one of Follett's best but Lee made it worth listening to.

If you could take any character from Winter of the World out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would like to take the Russian Scientist out to dinner since according to the book she was a real knockout.

Not as good as the first book

Any additional comments?

This storyline takes a while to get going, I think I was 1/4 done with the book before it really grabbed my attention. There are parts of the book that were some intriguing that I wish the author never strayed to one of the other characters.

My favorite was when Lev Peshkov met the English character's parents when Daisy was marrying Boyd. The sharp tongue of Lev really made that part of the book great. I think I actually clapped!

Another part of the book I loved was Greg and Jackie Jakes, this impossible relationship was very interesting to me.

I wish the war in the pacific would have gotten more attention than it did. It would have been nice to see a Japanese perspective in the book, perhaps a new family split between Japan and America.

I look forward to the next book in the series coming out on Audible.

engaging read

Really enjoyed listening to this book. the narrator is super! My favorite thing is feeling like I know the characters.

Classic Ken Follett - Excellent Read

Would you listen to Winter of the World again? Why?

Love the way Ken Follett weaves historical facts into his books while telling the story of his characters lives, allowing you to experience a tiny bit of what it must have been like to be in Europe in WWI and WWII. Enjoyable read and highly recommended.

What other book might you compare Winter of the World to and why?

Fall of Giants (Part I of this series). The Winds of War by Herman Wouk's. The First Man in Rome by Colleen McCullough.

Which scene was your favorite?

I was amazed and saddened by man's inhumanity to man and the struggle endured by them to live their lives and love their families. Stunning how throughout history people with power used it to further their own self interests and their own ilk rather than make the world better for every one.

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

This is a classic "Winds of War" movie and would be both enjoyable and educational.

Any additional comments?

Loved the books, saddened by the realities brought to life in them.

Enthralling History Lesson!!!

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

Top 5

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ethel Williams because she is a strong woman who stands up for her beliefs no matter what. Since this is a multigenerational trilogy it is fun to see who stands out in each book. This the 2nd of the books I have read

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The accents of the different characters!! He brings them to life in a way I don't think you would get by reading.

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

I am not through the book yet, but I think so far I would say the most moving and what shaped the character of Lloyd was his witnessing of hatred played out in his youth

Any additional comments?

I also loved the 1st book and John Lee is really great at reading!!!

Good story and review of history

A long part two of a continuing story. The story is compelling. History buffs will enjoy how well the author weaves the story of World War into the narrative. The description of how non-political Germans coped and suffered the Nazi state was enlightening.
I have enjoyed the narrator in this and other books. However, I found it annoying that he gave the affluent upstate New York Daisy a working class New Jersey accent.

Outstanding historical fiction

It's an great account and perspective on WWII from the perspectives of a few families, continued from the first book. Following the family lineage and story is very interesting, but it's so predictable, like all of Follett's work. I like that it's dramatic, but if you have read any of his other books, the fiction part is very predictable, and some times it drags. Overall though, it is very interesting and worth the time.

Fabulous in every way.

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

Yes, It is based on history as seen through the characters from many different views.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Billy, the young Welsh miner. He was brave and overcame many obstacles showing loyalty and leadership.

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

No.

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

Would like to but had to ration it to a couple of hours each evening.

Any additional comments?

The whole series is fantastic. Have read the first two in the series of 3. Look forward to the 3rd.