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)

What can I say that hasn't already been said??

Considering the fact that there are so many reviews on these two books, I'll be brief. I owe you that much, if you're choosing to read this one, after all. This book is THE BEST historically accurate FICTIONAL book on WWII you will ever read, period. The narrarator could not have been better. I honestly cannot think of any reason whatsoever that anyone would rate this less than 5 stars. The characters are so deeply fleshed out, that by the end you actually CARE what happens to them. This is remarkable when you consider that the book follows something like 10 different people (so it seems). IF you love WWII, and feel like reading about a very interesting group of people that lived through some of its greatest moments, then this is the book(s) for you!!

This is the "War and Peace" of a generation.

Wouk plus Pariseau equals genius

After reading and listening to "The Winds of War" I knew I would love "War and Remembrance" but the achievements of Wouk as a dramatist and historian in this sequel are significantly surpassing the first part. Not only are characters and scenes masterly presented but is the entire saga from the fist minute to the end consistent and captivating. I have never heard a more artistic and enjoyable narrating as the one by Kevin Pariseau. Only a person deeply enjoying his work is able to achieve such an outstanding performance. Kevin is coloring the entire story - just listen to part 4, chapter 5 @ 25:43 where he reads the scene on the airbase in Greenland - comedy pure. Pariseau manages all emotions, sings (and I guess dances) and he is also amazing when compassion and silent tones are required. I read and heard a lot about WW II history but can even recommend "The Winds of War" and "War and Remembrance" to learn about this global disaster - better than a lot of history books. All in all a revelation - nothing more, nothing less.

A Hard Act to Follow ... now what?

Would you consider the audio edition of War and Remembrance to be better than the print version?

I only listen to books now.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Pug Henry...He had by far the most interesting life of all...

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

Well, certainly, he does the heavy lifting of bringing it to life!

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

...an interesting family in an interesting time...

Any additional comments?

I'm not attracted to war stories. What I love about both Winds of War & War & Remembrance is that the history of WWII plays out as a subtext to personal relationships--family, military, professional, romantic, power, control, individual & global.

I did not come to this book with curiosity about the details of war, yet many were presented. I don't want to even think in the most general sense that the Holocaust could ever have happened, never mind become immersed & involved with a detailed account of HOW it may have come to pass...what it may have been like to be a Jew in Germany then. Anne Frank told what it was like to experience hiding. Here we have a more explicit account of what went on when one was found. Here we can have a little bit of an idea about the thousand tiny moments that took a Jew from living a normal life to that last moment—naked, with hundreds of others, hearing the bolt on the door. I didn't want to know any of that and it was sickening to contemplate, difficult to get through. I appreciate it as an irrepressible reminder of the cowardice that is complacency & what could be its result. And there is so much more to the story than that!

This is a work of multidimensional genius. I hate the fact that I've finished it. Now what?? This book makes so many other things I may listen to seem simply trivial.

AMAZING SUBMERSION INTO WW2

In this, the second and last book of the story, the Henry family and company go into the war on all fronts (literally). This book will stun you with the depth and breadth of the war and insidiously teach you fascinating and important minutia that end up answering most of the hows,and whys of the war while remaining on story for the Henrys. Thats quite an amazing feat of writing wizardry that's pulled off amazingly well! It also explains why this book is so long.
Unlike the first book, big things are happening at the speed of life. No punches are pulled in this surprisingly realistic portrail of the war in all its horrors. This is an important book for everyone to read, because It gives such an amazingly thorough picture of the war.I would never say it covers everything, but for what it is, it really is astounding how detailed a picture of the war it does provide, and the story of the henrys is very good. The narration is very good and perfect for the subject matter. A deceivingly great book. Highest recommendation.

I miss it now that it's done.

What can I say? By the end of this, I'd spent over a hundred hours with the Henrys and the Jastrows. It's quite a commitment, but I had to stop myself from going back and starting again - an impulse I've only had with Bryce Courtnay's Potato Factory epic saga. I thought I knew a lot about the second World War, but I didn't realize how much there was going on in the Pacific. This brought that epoch vividly to life and, although I wouldn't say I enjoy military history, I did here woven as it is into historical fiction. I believe this book came out in the late 70's and all in all, I think, it's held up rather well. Some of the female characters struck me as sterotypical, but others (Natalie particularly) were fully developed and I rooted for her all the way until the last page. Bravo!

Never liked history

I have never consider myself as a history buff but this has given me a hunger to learn more of what actually happened in the past. This novel gave me so much information that I never had regarding WWII and allowed me to increase my knowledge while enjoying a wonderful story. I loved moving from one perspective of the world to another and being able to grasp the different way events were experienced by different parts of the world. Now I will be reading well researched historical novels and hoping I can enjoy them as much as I did this one.

Narration was wonderful, story was wonderful, hisory was presented in a way that will stay with me. A wonderful experience in every respect.

Big, as in lagre

First of while this book would stand alone perfectly fine it is in fact part 2 of the 2 part story begun in 'The Winds of War'. Epic, doesn't do justice to these books. Big, doesn't do a very good job of describing the story told in these two books. The simple fact is that Wouk did a masterful job of telling the story of world war II and Kevin Pariseau did a superior job of narrating these two books. Some might say that Wouk put too much emphasis on the Holocaust. Perhaps he did put a lot of emphasis on it and perhaps that was because he himself was Jewish, but to this I say two things; First it was his story so he can tell it any way he chooses and secondly to my way of thinking it doesn't hurt for people to be reminded of the Holocaust to be sure that it never happens again. All in all I enjoyed these books immensely and I am grateful to Audible for making them available. If you like a big story expertly told and superbly narrated then you should like these two books.

Great book brought to life by excellent reader

Where does War and Remembrance rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It would be in top 20 and I've been an audie for many years.

What was one of the most memorable moments of War and Remembrance?

The military analysis by General Roone and rebuttal by Pug Henry.

What about Kevin Pariseau’s performance did you like?

He does it all. Get the tone right, the accents. It's a long book but his voice keeps it interesting all the way through.

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

Not a particular moment but the book covers WWII so no shortage of moving moments.

Any additional comments?

No one is better than Wouk for writing historical fiction.

A good, long read

Wouk's American version of "War and Peace" is perhaps not as profound as Tolstoy, but it is entertaining and informative and much more intelligent than the kind of pot-boiler stuff that historical fiction has mostly become since this was written. Things do not come together perfectly in the end, and maybe Mr. Wouk is showing a bit of fatigue (understandably,) but the overall achievement is still pretty remarkable. I will definitely be listening to this and "Winds of War" again in a couple of years. Now, if Audible will only add "The Caine Mutiny" to its holdings, I will be perfectly satisfied!

riveting, informative, a bit soapy

Riveting storytelling of mostly well-balanced history, especially the parts that educate about the Holocaust. We learn best in narratives, and the soap opera elements enhance our learning here -- I found the personal stories a bit "soapier" than in Winds of War and some of the didactic parts not as well-integrated into the storyline - but I would not have Wouk change even one plot element. While it's not high art, it is the best in old fashioned story telling. As someone mostly interested in social history from a Commonwealth viewpoint, I never thought I'd find myself interested in the American involvement in the WWII Pacific theatre - but it was difficult to hit pause even for those parts.

I tried to save this listen for the holidays, but after devouring the Winds of War, I waited impatiently for this release, and then I couldn't postpone the listen. Another reason why audiobooks matter - making titles like this widely available and promoted.

Best read/listen-to for years!

If you could sum up War and Remembrance in three words, what would they be?

Sad Joyful Absorbing

What was one of the most memorable moments of War and Remembrance?

Too many to mention but the parallel juxtaposition of fact carried by the fictional family is wonderfully done. The descriptions of the treatment of the Jews is particularly moving.

Which character – as performed by Kevin Pariseau – was your favourite?

Pug Henry

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A family's experiences of World War II

Any additional comments?

When I could physically read books, I used to love my hour or so in bed last thing at night reading a good book and not wanting to put it down. Because of my disability, I now listen to all my reading material and the same 'last thing at night' routine is still in place. Listening to Winds of War and then War and Remembrance has had the same effect! The need to listen-on to these stories written by a 'Master' storyteller has been a real joy - even if my quota of sleep has been seriously shortened these past few weeks. I can only highly recommend these books. The production quality is superb; the reader brilliant and the content - although harrowing at times - makes these recordings a 'must have' because of their authentic telling of World events.

A fitting sequel to The Winds of War

I knew this would be heavy going from having read The Winds of War but wanted to know what was going to happen to the family members more than how America saved the world in WW2. So, I listened to most of the bits about the sea battles, which were an eye opener for me as a British person as I did not have any idea about them before listening to this, but skipped some of the more tediously detailed parts.
The characters are developed well in this sequel, with Pug Henry still being amazingly moral and self controlled amongst a world where his family and friends have succumbed to human desires. He rises to becoming and Admiral, loses a close member of his family to the war, and another to another man but still bravely soldiers on to a happy ending.
Again, this is a meticulously detailed book and some of the descriptions of the gas chambers of the concentration camps are vivid and upsetting. I learned things from this book that I had only briefly heard about and had certainly never thought about in such great detail, probably because none of us ever want to believe such things could have happened. It is a book to make you re-think the events of WW2. It is a very powerful book., more so than its pedecessor

Amazing sequel

I loved this book, it's a brilliant sequel to The Winds of War! Yes it requires a huge time commitment, but it is well worth it. I have enjoyed Kevin Pariseau's narration, mainly as there are less British accents for him to have a crack at.

There are some really harrowing sections that are delicately handled, on an audio par with the scenes in Schindlers List with the little girl in the red coat!

If you have downloaded The Winds of War - it is almost the law that you have to listen to War & Remembrance!

War and Remembersnce

The perfect companion to the Winds of War. They must be considered as one book. As good if not better than Wouk's first book. His historical research is faultless. I wish this could be a part of history classes at secondary level. One of the finest books I have ever received from Audible. I will listen to both books many times. Thanks Audible!

Historical and utterly harrowing

There are some books that are burnished forever in your heart and mind.. this is one of them, tears fill my eyes as I write these few words. It's predecessor Winds of War needs to be read/listened to first it endeavours to prepare you for what comes in War and Remembrance. Unforgettable.

I urge you to read this book

What did you like most about War and Remembrance?

It brought history to vivid life

What was one of the most memorable moments of War and Remembrance?

Udams' farewell

Which character – as performed by Kevin Pariseau – was your favourite?

'Pug Henry'

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

absolutely

Any additional comments?

The best book I have ever 'read'. Along with its prequel 'The winds of war' - The whole saga was so moving as to be almost life altering.This is a novel that everybody should read.
Yes it is History and about an event that will have shaped the lives of every living person today, but it is brought to life through characters that you desperately care for.
I will return to this book and its prequel over and over again.
I urge you to read this and the 'Winds of War' - you will not regret it.
If I could only keep one novel (well stretch that to the two installments) it would definitely be this!!

A powerful novel about WW2

A very good continuation of "The winds of war". Natalie's story is painful to follow and it is only balanced by the other war developments. The characters are so embedded in my mind that I found very difficult to see the American TV production. I rather stay with the ones that the wonderful Kevin Pariseau brings to life.

Outstanding....

Very engrossing listen. Your draw into the story and and quite vividly picture the storyline unfolding in your mind as the book is read. Highly recommended to anybody who likes this genre.

Superb….

I don’t think I have ever been so enthralled with such an amazing book. Being English the American viewpoint was fascinating and informative. The Jewish aspect poignant. The story of a family engrossing. I don’t think I have ever read or listened to a book that has been so impactful. Am very sorry to have finished it - what a writer?

World War II flrom American perspective

A good story but it would seem British contribution to WW2 was minimal . Churchill was not a major player and got in the way.