Winter of the World

Century Trilogy, Book 2

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 31 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Winter of the World is the second novel in Ken Follett's uniquely ambitious Century trilogy. On its own or consumed in sequence with Fall of Giants and Edge of Eternity, this is a spellbinding epic of global conflict and personal drama.

A Battle of Ideals

It is 1933 and, at Cambridge, Lloyd Williams is drawn to irresistible socialite Daisy Peshkov, who represents everything that his left-wing family despise. But Daisy is more interested in aristocratic Boy Fitzherbert, a leader in the British Union of Fascists.

An Evil Uprising

Berlin is in turmoil. Eleven-year-old Carla von Ulrich struggles to understand the tensions disrupting her family as Hitler strengthens his grip on Germany. Many are resolved to oppose Hitler’s brutal regime – but are they willing to betray their country?

A Global Conflict on a Scale Never Seen Before

Shaken by the tyranny and the prospect of war, the lives of five families become ever more enmeshed. As an international clash of military power and personal beliefs sweeps the world, what will this new war mean for those who must live through it?

©2012 Ken Follett (P)2012 Penguin US/Macmillan Digital Audio

Critic reviews

"This book is peopled by excellent characters, both lovable and detestable, and I , along with millions of other Follett fans I’m sure – can’t wait for the third instalment of his Century trilogy to appear." (Shropshire Star)

Good follow up!

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

I probably would if I come to listen to the whole trilogy again, however this book though a rather strong follower of the first, starts to show some signs of my main problem with the trilogy which is that it starts loosing strength as time goes by on each chapter. Where the first book moved me and made me care, this one started to confuse me. I did enjoy it quite a lot but where the first book has is a 10, this one is a 8.5

What did you like best about this story?

Again the main feature is how cleverly the writer blends his characters into pivotal historical events, this allows you to experience the key moments of the XX century from the point of view of a person actually living them, this is aspect alone is awesome.

Which scene was your favorite?

This trilogy should be a mandatory read for high school students, it could provide a newfound appreciation for history to them. I believe my favorite part of the book was... nah! won't spoil it for you, it worth reading / listening to it, trust me.

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

This would be an epic TV series, think Downtown Abbey meets Game of Thrones...

History though story

If you could sum up Winter of the World in three words, what would they be?

Great follow on and looking forward to book 3. Well told story and if you have watched Downton Abbey then it gives some idea of the other lives

Who was your favorite character and why?

Maud - Complex and difficult choices she made

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

I find listening I get more out than reading and remember far more. Reading I do to relax whilst listening is more entertainment. This was more of a mini series of the mind.

Excellent

Great story and the narrator is incredible! I highly recommend this to Ken Follett fans!

Not as good as Herman Wouk's WW2 novels

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

The first novel in the series, "Fall of Giants" was a bit better, in my opinion, and compared to Herman Wouk's epic novel "The Winds of War", Ken Follett's book could have gone a lot deeper.Having just listened to Herman Wouk's World War II novels (very similar approach with fictional characters and real contemporaries mixed), Ken Follett's book just falls short.

Nevertheless, it's a very good effort to bring the horrors of war closer to today's audience.

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

See above - "The Winds of War" by Herman Wouk.

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

Solid, reliable performance.

What about the holocaust?

Very nice book, but almost totally ignores the holocaust (that was part of World War Two

Brilliantly needled-out!

In this book, Follet proves creative and intelligent ways to extend, combine, spread-out and integrate a diversos mis of characters’ personal story with our 20th century terrible events. He has the capability to extract positive messages and human kind learnings in a way that brings collective consciousness

A solid follow up to Fall of Giants

I read it almost immediately after Fall of Giants. Maybe for that reason, the characters came alive and more vivid. I could get a better feel for the period and the circumstances surrounding some momentous events in WW2 than any history books.

Great value

superbly insightful account of the two world wars form the background to the tale of generations this family from a welsh mining town.

excellent

This is possibly one of those rare occasions where part 2 of a novel is better than part 1. this is a well written book. Someone said it didn't mention the holocaust, but it didn't have to it's good just the way it is.

Excellent Entertainment

This is a great story. Ken Follett's stories are magnificent, the characters woven with the history is so stimulating. I really liked the interweaving of the cultures, nationality and classes. The children of the characters of the first book grow and take centre stage.

I really like the way Audio books makes really large books accessible, I used to find them daunting , now I enjoy the alone times in cars, in motels, doing the washing and ironing and sharing the time with "my friends" in these long wonderful stories ...

If you read the first ... you cannot miss this one.

Brian