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  • Winter of the World

  • Century Trilogy, Book 2
  • By: Ken Follett
  • Narrated by: John Lee
  • Length: 31 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (2,493 ratings)
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Winter of the World cover art

Winter of the World

By: Ken Follett
Narrated by: John Lee
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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
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Mr
  • 26-09-12

Fantastic

Right, I have just finished listening to this epic story and I have to say I have not had an audio book like it. Having listened to the previous book in the series (Fall Of Giants) I thought that it would be impossible to top, well this one is even better. Great character development, well narrated and gripping. The story lines are interesting and in some parts deeply shocking with some, not graphic but disturbing descriptions of human behaviour. I noticed that this was a good book when I woke up in the middle of the night and started listening to the audio book hoping to drift off to sleep, then 4 hours later still awake I had to get up and go to work! The sooner the next book in the series is released the better. I would recommend this book to everyone!

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27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Winter of the World

I'm a Ken Follett historical history fan from way back. There has never been anything other than a well-researched, brilliant novel. John Lee narrates the books like they were written for him. But Winter of the World has proved even Ken Follett can outdo himself! This should be required reading for history classes in England and the U.S. I have never been a real fan of the history of WWII but this was the easiest and most captivating history lesson I have ever had. Couldnt stop listening. You just cannot go wrong with this book it's a real winner.

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20 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Setting a standard

There are many stars in this audiobook. Obviously, the author is one - Ken Follett's majestic sweep both stirring and emotional. The next star is John Lee, who captures a wide variety of accents, from different countries and regions, as well as carrying off both male and female voices. He sets a standard for other narrators. Finally, the various characters shine like stars. Although it is obvious where Follett's sympathies lie, all the fictional characters are brought to life, while the 'real life' characters are realistic and invest the novel with further authenticity. You'll be sorry when you have finished, but then, in two years' time, we'll have the final installment. It is unlikely to reach the heights of this novel, though, given the history that 'Winter of the World' covers.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A heart-breaking but wonderful sequel

This is part 2 of the Century Trilogy and I strongly recommend listening to part 1 first (Fall of Giants) as it introduces the characters and their offspring who straddle the series and whose lives illuminate the horrors and heroics of war more effectively than a merely historical account. As in part 1 of the trilogy this sequel blends fictional characters and real people together to achieve a narrative that left me feeling deeply involved in the lives of the imagined players before, during and after the Second World War. Both books powerfully evoke what life was like during these turbulent times in world history and help the listener to understand how and why these destructive wars came about. I found this second book more depressing than the first as the senseless inhumanity and cruelty was so extreme. Nevertheless I loved this magisterial book and felt sorry that it ended and eagerly look forward to part 3, Edge of Eternity, which, unfortunately is not yet available as an audiobook on this website, though it has been recorded.
John Lee is a superb narrator who brings all the characters to life.

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12 people found this helpful

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

Enthralling Follet

Would you consider the audio edition of Winter of the World to be better than the print version?

The audible version is precisely that, it enabled me as a long distance Truck driver to listen to this book whilst driving . The printed version might have taken a whole lot longer to read and digest

Who was your favorite character and why?

Follett's characters are all so real , I had no favourites they were all so well described and written

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

The narration was superb , the characters brought to life through the change in his Voice

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

There was no particular moment , all historical facts and events were so well intertwined .The Death of the Jewish Doctor was particularly upsetting and made you realise how frustrating it must have been to be an educated Jew under the Nazi Regime.

Any additional comments?

Follet, as never disappointed to date. With his trilogy of the world he as written Classics that will last forever

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Hmmmmmnnn.....

So. How to begin? I would love to say this was a great book, I enjoyed the first one. But I felt this book was more of an historical book rather than a literary novel. Ken Follet really knows his stuff however so I cannot fault him on that and I learned a few things! On a negative side there were far too many silly coincidences. Everyone crosses everyone else's path across Europe, Britain, USA and Russia, what are the chances! I even began to roll my eyes and I guessed that the British brother in the French resistance would be the one to discover his other brother in the fighter plane over France. And it becomes a little condescending when ken reminds us of things more than once, like he doesn't trust us to remember, I didn't like that, it wasnt helpful. And I actually listened to a whole part of a book on time and a half speed, the narration was just a little too slow for me. If u have read the first book I suppose you have to listen to this one but otherwise I wouldn't really recommend (saying that tho, I will probably read the third one when it comes out!)

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

The horror of war

Follet's story unfolds in a manner that really clamps ice around your heart, and vicariously one gets a feel for the horror that both civilians and soldiers experienced, and for the utterly bizarre social circumstances that war creates

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great author, Brilliant narrator

I have enjoyed every one of Ken Follet's historical novels and this is certainly one of his best. But, what really makes the audiobook special is the narrator, John Lee. I am in awe of his narration skills and have begun to search for his books, regardless of the author. Thank you John for bringing great books to life.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Another cracker from Ken!

I love Ken's writing style, it's so easy to read and thus translates very well to audio. Well done John Lee. Beautifully read bringing another dimension to the characters and realism. This middle chapter of the trilogy was slightly too long - but what to leave out??? Super story cannot wait for number 3.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

Such well developed characters. I even felt for the Germans in this battle, you find yourself wanting them all to come out of it well.

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4 people found this helpful