War and Remembrance

By: Herman Wouk

Narrated by: Kevin Pariseau

Length: 56 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Herman Wouk's sweeping epic of World War II, which begins with The Winds of War and continues here 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.

These multimillion-copy best sellers are stirringly read by Kevin Pariseau for their first appearance in downloadable audio.

Also listen to The Winds of War.

©1978 Herman Wouk (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Brilliant…. An outstanding novel and at the same time a great work of history…. Wouk has more than recaptured the period; he has given it life." (Henry Kissinger)

"Those who lived through World War II can most fully appreciate the resonances in this uncommonly readable book. But it is clearly meant – and recommended – for those who did not." ( Time)

"Moving, thrilling fiction…. Wouk is a magnificent storyteller." ( Boston Globe)

Unforgettable

I read these books 25 years ago and thought then it was the best historical fiction ever. It still is. The Audible version brings these people and events to even greater clarity. The narrator is superb. His subtle voice changes from character to character bring the narrative even more alive than the characters were themselves in the books. Pug Henry and all of these characters are simply unforgettable. Wouk’s purpose was to make us remember and think. Mission Accomplished. Thank you.

One of the best audiobooks out there

For those interested in a historically well-informed yet sweeping and absorbing narrative of the Second World War, I don’t think there’s a better novel (and alarmist certainly not a better audiobook) than this and the winds of war. Brilliant.

History told accurately and exciting to "live"....

well worth the time for anyone interested in factural history on a personal level enjoy

It's a Classic,! Read the Winds of War First

I read both of these books decades ago and decided to purchase the Winds of War in an Audible sale. So glad I did and I immediately had to read this one next. It's an epic historical tale. Well written and well narrated. Didn't want it to end.

Surprisingly Excellent

This used to be on the Audible Essentials thus got on my to read list, but has since been removed - I expect due to political correctness. I found this one of the top ten on the Essentials list. The story is educational, engaging, and interesting with great characterization, a great story, and great narration. The follow-on book "War and Remembrance" is also excellent and is really the necessary conclusion (as the text was just too long for a single book). The two together are over 100 hours of listening and, for me, was worth every minute.

If you saw the mini-series, and didn't like it, you might want to read the book, than watch the series again. The series is quite dated (shot in the 1970s and has the look and direction quirks of that period), and many consider it a very long soap opera. That is what I thought when I stopped watching it years ago then put off reading the book until now. I am now re-watching the series (screenplay by the author) and now appreciate the very subtle characterization expressed in the series.

Some reviewers find this boring or too focused on relationships instead of war. I particularly enjoyed this juxtaposition and found the structure of the novel outstanding. The narration jumps perspective between many time periods and points of view which keeping to a consistent story progression. I enjoyed the battle and strategic analysis as much as the numerous relationships stressed to the breaking point by war.

This may not be for everyone, but if you like history, long stories, can deal with the intense first person accounts of Nazi atrocities, and can forgive the misogyny of the period, you will likely really enjoy these books.

I will certainly add other Wouk selections to my reading list.

More timely than ever

After reading Wouk’s recent obituary, I decided it was high time I got around to tackling his two volume classic on WW II. It is not hyperbole to call this superbly crafted tale a masterpiece, and I’m chagrined to be so late in discovering it. From the epic battlefronts of Europe and the Pacific to the intimate but equally perilous terrain of the human heart, Wouk has complete command of his subject matter, all brought vivdly to life by his equally impressive gifts as a storyteller. I listened to The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich a couple of summers ago and found it very compelling, but Wouk’s fictional characters brought Nazi Germany and the world war to life for me in ways that a straight journalistic account, however well executed, cannot. As living memory of the war recedes, I fear history may be in grave danger of repeating itself. I wish Wouk’s magnificent opus could be required reading in every high school (though “required” makes getting through it sound like a chore, which it most assuredly is not. Besides offering much food for thought, both volumes make for utterly engrossing entertainment, though given the almost unimaginable scope of the tragedy they chronicle, it is a word I hesitate to use).

A word about the narration. Kevin Pariseau gives an absolutely stellar performance on all of the male characters, but I didn’t think he was right for some of the female roles, particularly Rhoda Henry and Pamela Tudsbury. He made Pamela sound much older than she was supposed to be and I thought his interpretation of Rhoda came off a bit like a man in drag. It could have been more subtle. That aside, he really did a terrific job and managed to provide a different voice to each of the many characters.

Realistic Look Backward at WWII

This was a perfect book for someone like myself, with an interest in history and the inability to absorb facts and figures without context. I appreciated the author outlining in the end exactly what was fact and what was fiction. I recommend this series to everyone who understands that history unlearned will be repeated!

winds of war is better

I enjoyed this book but preferred Winds of War. As occurs with many sequels War and Remeberance isn't as tightly written. However I did continue to enjoy the stories of the characters. I also increased my knowledge of WW2.

Epic

Awesome book - Amazing when combined with the Winds of War - The description of Terezin and the Holocaust had me in tears - Well Thought Out – Well Done

Great story, even greater performance

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

The story is what it is - a fictionalized historical account of some of the main points of World War 2. Personally, I love both books and think this is a must read for everyone.

That being said, I think the high point of this particular work is Kevin Pariseau's performance - bar none, best reading I've ever heard.