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)

absolutely wonderful

great read absolutely riveting. can't wait to read the third installment. follett is a genius

History lesson with great storyline

Loved the continuation of the previous book, only dislike is his voice for the female characters.

stiil going strong.

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

One of my favorites. I also listed to the first 2. This one is just as riveting. The author makesone feel that you r living thru that time.

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

The reader is such an important part of the story. I have stopped listening to stories when the persons voice is strident or too much of an accent.

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

Daisy. She is so feisty and I felt she changed the most. For the better!

Solid

I had much hoped for more in the first book of the series but having gone through the second I see now what a beautiful setup it was for Winter of the World. Per usual Ken Follett delivers a masterpiece helped only by the wonderful narration of Jon Lee. The two of them together are simply the best there is out there.

Excellent sequel

The second book in the trilogy covers the 1930s and the Second World War and beyond.

As with the previous novel, the characters are well-done and the narration is excellent.

Some of the expressions don't seem consistent with the time, and there's a surprising lack of contemporary references to music and literature and entertainment.

This book is the second generation of all the characters introduced in the first book, and continues with their lives and interests.

It's an excellent second installment and again showcases the many strengths of Ken Follett as a writer.

A masterpiece

Couldn’t stop listening! Fabulous!!!! Perfect historical fiction with excellent narration. I strongly recommend I loved this book

Good but not as great as book 1

This is book 2 of a series. The first book, “Fall of Giants,” followed several fictional America, British, Russian, and German families in the early 20th century up to the rise of Nazism and Hitler. This book follows the same families from the late 30’s through the end of WWII and mostly follows the children of those who were the main characters in the first novel. The families, though spread around the world, are related to one another, though they themselves may not know of their relationship. It gives the foundation to many of the cultural changes that followed the war, including increased sexual freedom, women’s rights, interracial relations, the growth of European Communism and the birth of the UN. The book, like the first, is very interesting and very educational at the same time. There were too many descriptions of sexual encounters that were described in too much detail, while at the same time feeling more clinical--almost as if they were being described in a medical textbook--than emotional. I recommend it, though it is not on the same plane as the two books by Herman Wouk covering a similar time period. There is a third volume, but I will not be reading it any time soon as I am ready for a change in subject matter.

Great story...

What did you love best about Winter of the World?

I loved the continuing story about these characters mixed with lots of accurate history.

What did you like best about this story?

The way the story grabbed me til the end.

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

John Lee is one of my favorite narrators. He brings the story to life!

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

I had many of both laughter and tears during this story.

Any additional comments?

Parents, do not listen to this in the car with your kids! There is a lot of graphically described sex. It is tasteful and pertinent to the story but kids do not need to hear it.

Wow!!!

What a riveting tale!!!!! I’m pretty sure I learned more about world history listening to this audiobook than I did in school!!

Can't wait for #3

Any additional comments?

For anyone wondering where the missing audio comes in it is before the attack on Pearl Harbour. Volotya is talking to Gregorie, I can't remember what about exactly, and all of a sudden it jumps to the middle of the Pearl Harbour attack. Hope that helps.