• Winter of the World

  • Century Trilogy, Book 2
  • By: Ken Follett
  • Narrated by: John Lee
  • Length: 31 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (479 ratings)

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Winter of the World  By  cover art

Winter of the World

By: Ken Follett
Narrated by: John Lee
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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)

What listeners say about Winter of the World

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Another rip-snorter from Ken Follett

I read Ken Follett's two mediaeval England books and they were riveting. Tremendous stories that kept me transfixed throughout. Next I read his World War I book and I have just finished listening to 'Winter of the World', the second book of this 20th century trilogy - the story of World War II.

Like the above-mentioned three books, this was a good entertaining story and very enjoyable. The only trouble is that Follett has to manufacture the plot so that every major character from his two basic families (Russian and Welsh) appears at key moments in the war and intervenes to change the whole course of the conflict: inventing the atom bomb, stopping Hitler from systematically killing disabled people, forming the united nations, passing the Nazi invasion plans to the Russians etc, etc.

Unfortunately, this stretches the credulity of the listener and it is always in the back of your mind that two families couldn't have had such an impact. This wasn't a problem with the mediaeval novels, because they were based in a small country with a small population , so it wasn't as far-fetched that the key characters could have such an influence on major historical events.

As for the narrator, he was generally pretty good, but he struggled a bit with some of the accents. At one point I wasn't sure if his Welshman was a Geordie or an Indian!

These were the only blemishes on what was otherwise a great listen.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Listen and learn

I really looked forward to this book. I'm not disappointed.

I must say that the most annoying thing about this audio book is that I personally really didn't enjoy the fact that John Lee makes voices - especially because it means that large parts of it is spoken in a German accent - sort of. I much prefer the reader to just READ the book aloud. I really think making voices are not suitable for a book for adults.

But I do see that other reviewers like it so I guess it's just a matter of preference.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

History with a good story

I have always enjoyed Ken Follett and he didn't let me down with this book. He once more had me confused for a while with keeping up with the different characters as he zig zagged round the world, but then all of a sudden everything fell into place... great historical story teller...

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

What about the holocaust?

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

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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ALONZO

A book easily read, my first Kollett book. I will certainly read others. The characters, as well as the times are well drawn.. Whilst I generally thought the book met all criteria as far as entertainment went, I felt there were times that it dragged perhaps it is to long and at times a little to much detail. Was I pleased to have bought it?, certainly, would I recommend purchase? very much so.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

WWII History at its best

Wonderful way to learn WWII history
Narrator is amazing, voices and accents makes time fly

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant storyteller

A master of storytelling that encapsulates an authentic glimpse into history- I found it riveting

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

GRIPPING

I cannot rate this entire trilogy, the story nor the narrator John Lee highly enough. The stories are epic accounts of history recounted with exquisite detail so you are transported directly into the lives of the characters - but the narrator makes them come alive - oh my - John Lee is astounding, his accents and story telling ability is remarkable. I don’t want it to end. Standing ovation for this masterful rendition. And again. And again. And again.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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