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)

Great story, great history lesson

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

Yes. The combination of well researched historical data combined with so many colorful and developed characters make this both entertaining and educational.

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

Pillars of the Earth, and Fall of Giants both because of the well developed characters and well researched history.

Which scene was your favorite?

a

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

a

Any additional comments?

a

I like John Lee

I like John Lee as a rule. I've had other listens with his narration. It's too bad though that the second book in the trilogy switched narrators since some of the characters were the same and the narration if those voices was so different.

Fantastic. As usual!!!

As usual Ken Follett makes u fall in love with the characters and engulfs you in a historic realistic account of a completely made up character. Fantastic!!!! Just the most amazing writing ever. I didn't like it at first. Feeling betrayed as the characters from book one got older and mattered less. But as I got to know the new characters I fell in love.

Saddened that a good story is made to fit a political agenda

I've listened to several audible books now, and I wish male readers would not impersonate female voices, and females would not impersonate male characters. It just doesn't work. This one though John Lee, he has the accents down for the male characters really well.
I was dismayed by the general tone of disrespect towards Republicans. While I am not one, I do see a huge trend to diminish those who hold less "liberal" viewpoints. For myself, I won't read the other books in this series, much as I loved PILLARS OF THE EARTH.

brilliant writing and narration!

Lee does such an amazing job at painting a vibrant portrait for the listener and Follet's writing is nothing short of engaging. I really enjoyed this second installation to this trilogy and can't wait to finish it

Another history lesson made understandable.

Ken Follett has an outstanding ability to bring history to life - even parts we might like to not recall! John Lee matches that ability with his narration.

Great Book!

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

Yes, it was very interesting and well written. The story captivates you. Winter of the World brings a perspective to all of the countries during World War II. It flows nicely from the first book, Fall of Giants.

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

Of course, I would compare it to Fall of Giants. Fall of Giants is the Prequel to Winter of the World.

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

I really enjoy listening to books because I feel like I'm experiencing it and the different voices help with the different characters.

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

There are many moments that stand out in my mind.

Any additional comments?

If you like reading historical books, it is a MUST READ!

An Absolutely Wonderful Historical Series

This has been a wonderful set of books dealing from prior to WW1 through WW2. It covers families from England, Russia, the United States, and Germany giving you different perspectives on the same historical events. What is so wonderful about these books is that is like you are sitting in the room with them, in the car, or the battle watching and experiencing what they experience. You do necessarily have to start with the 1st book. This covers the world from 1933 to 1949. What is especially fascinating is the detail. The author insures that even the correct colloquial expressions are being used.

This is a great book.

The book is very nice, the story is amazing and is the sequence of the first book.
Is very nice see how the life of the characters pass through the years.
There was one thing I did not like much; the new characters (sons and daughters of the first ones, there were the main at first book) have not their carisma. Is much more intense "watch" Fitz and Ethel than Boy and Loyd; Walter and Maud then Erik and Carla; Gus and Rosa then Woody and Chuck...

Second Volume almost as good as first

This 2nd Volume continued my education of 20th Century History in as compelling a way as the First Volume. Brilliantly executed.