Winter of the World

Century Trilogy, Book 2

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: John Lee

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

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?

Continue the captivating Century Trilogy with Edge of Eternity.

©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)

Learn history through real peoples lives

I rally enjoyed listening .Feel I know more about botn sites .I am looking forward to the nezt book.Hopefully Ken Follet focus even more on the political situation and the changes in the society . Too many lovestories may distroy the historical importance of the series.

Nice story great narration.

Good story, but the characters' part in most historic milestones reminds me a bit of Forrest Gump and requires some naiveté. Still, can’t wait for the last instalment.

John Lee is a master, great narration.

Great Book and narration

The Lee's narration enrich thus great book. Highly recommend it for people to like historical books.

Brilliant storyteller

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

Ken Follett...need I say more?

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

Definitely. It is an interesting tale, woven thru WWII history, told thru the eyes of very real and vivid characters.

What did you like best about this story?

I learned so much about the facts behind the facts of WWII.

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

I usually prefer to hear a man reading; I don't know why, but there it is. John Lee has a strong easy to listen to voice.

Great read, great history, but average writing

If you like Ken Follett (I do) you will not be disappointed with the this continuation of Fall of Giants. It carries on with the same characters and same style; lots of historical detail, amazing coincidences where his characters by chance meet on city streets or in the midst of battle, and unfortunately many anachronisms. Still the ride is a fun one. John Lee is an excellent narrator. Each book is about 30 hours, so you need to enjoy his voice to get through them. He does the various accents and women's voices well without overdoing it or intruding into the story.

What I think Follett does best is provide good historical background and insights into the great events of the twentieth century. I am 53 and after reading (hearing) this book I have a clearer understanding of the rise of fascism in Europe than from all my previous reading.

The battle scenes and the romantic interludes are all rather predictable. It becomes hard to tell one from the other and the course of the relationships become so well worn that we feel we could write them for him.

Overall, I would say that Follett appeals to the boy in us. While I have enjoyed this and the previous book tremendously, I would not recommend them to my wife, who is quite a serious reader. I can just see her turn her nose up in in distaste. Rather it takes me back to the cracking good reads of my adolescence and for that I am very grateful.

not half as good as the first one. too bad

struggled myself tô the end. so sad about the drop of quality if compared to Fall Of Giants

Interesting story, boring presentation

What did you like best about this story?

Cast of thousands, story of the century, excellent use of idiom. It doesn't matter which characters you latch onto, the others are capable of holding your attention as well.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

When the narrator describes the torture and murder of a character, the birth of a baby and the love of a man for his lady (or of lady to man) with the same impersonal description he'd use for describing the parts of a washing machine, you know he shouldn't be reading. Remember when you were five and wanted everyone to "do the voices"? Well, this narrator wouldn't know what the voices were. So insensitive that it's almost laughable.

Just as good as the first

Upon finishing "Fall of Giants" and checking out other books by Ken Follett I was thrilled to discover that there was a sequel! I downloaded it instantly and listened in every available moment until I finished.

Building on the background of Fall of Giants, Winter of the World picks up a fair few years after Fall of Giants finishes, and focuses on the children of the characters from Fall of Giants. I found this a refreshing way to go about writing a sequel; it had the perfect combination of familiarity and novelty.

While I recommend listening to/reading Fall of Giants first, that is by no means essential, with the two books complementing each other rather than requiring each other.

There are some scenes in this book that I think will stick in my brain forever. I enjoyed it just as much as the first and cannot wait for the third book to be published.

WWII History at its best

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