The Winds of War

By: Herman Wouk

Narrated by: Kevin Pariseau

Length: 45 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

A masterpiece of historical fiction, this is the Great Novel of America's "Greatest Generation".

Herman Wouk's sweeping epic of World War II, which begins with The Winds of War and continues in War and Remembrance, stands as the crowning achievement of one of America's most celebrated storytellers. Like no other books about the war, Wouk's spellbinding narrative captures the tide of global events - and all the drama, romance, heroism, and tragedy of World War II - as it immerses us in the lives of a single American family drawn into the very center of the war's maelstrom.

Also listen to War and Remembrance.

©1971 Herman Wouk (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Wouk's real genius lies not just in the narrative power of his books, but in his empathy with the people and the times of which he writes…. The genius of The Winds of War and War and Remembrance is that they not only tell the story of the Holocaust, but tell it within the context of World War II, without which there is no understanding it." ( The Washington Post)

Historical Fiction At Its’ Best

The narrator is outstanding. The story line makes military history interesting. I can’t wait to read the sequel!

If you want to understand how World War II evolved

This is an old classic that was a huge best-seller in 1971. I read it first ages ago, and it's one of those that really holds up. It is fiction, but through his fascinating Henry family, Wouk manages to have us in all the right places to see the "Big Picture" and the small details of pre-World War II, all in a very entertaining way. This is the book that become the huge TV event mini-series, and it's even better than that excellent series. Unless you are a real history buff, you will learn a lot of fascinating background you never knew or had forgotten about WWII, and have a fun read doing it. This time I read most of it on Audible, and Pariseau's performance(s) is excellent. In case you don't know, Wouk continued the war, and the Henry family saga, in War and Remembrance, which I hope to get to again very soon.

Magnificent Book and awesome narrative

This was a marvelous telling of a family during pre wwii. And til two days after pearl harbor.

A masterpiece. Can not wait to read the next book remembrance of war

A New Favorite

As a history buff, historical fiction fan, an war story lover, this book checks every box, and the narration is the best I've heard. I absolutely loved this audiobook.

What a read...

What a great book! Epic! Wouk certainly did his research. It has numerous points of view along with several interconnected story lines all revolving around the Henry family. I learned a lot more about WWII, especially about Hitler‘s invasion of Poland and Russia. It was scary to read about it. Now to pick up War And Remembrance.

I highly recommend it. Excellent narration.

The Winds of War

This is an extremely compelling story. The narrator does an excellent job with male voices. He does not even try to do female voices. He merely changes timber. I found that disconcerting. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to War and Remembrance. I just fell in love with the characters.

Humanity at it's Worst...and Best

A fantastic story about people...and war...but mostly people. One of the best stories I have listened to in a long time and nearly 80 years after the war.

Excited to learn about WW2

Great book it was so interesting I forgot how long it was now on to part 2! The narration was excellent also.

Excellant book.

One on the best in Autible. Can't wait to get into the next book War and Remembrance.

FIrst rate in every way!

An epic piece of historical fiction about WW2 that should live forever and ever.