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The Winds of War

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The Winds of War

By: Herman Wouk
Narrated by: Kevin Pariseau
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About this listen

A masterpiece of historical fiction, this is the Great Novel of America's "Greatest Generation".

Herman Wouk's sweeping epic of World War II, which begins with The Winds of War and continues 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.

©1971 Herman Wouk (P)2011 Audible, Inc. Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Jewish Heritage Literary Fiction War & Military War Military Thought-Provoking Imperialism Middle Ages Submarine Russia Interwar Period Soviet Union Imperial Japan

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Critic reviews

"Wouk's real genius lies not just in the narrative power of his books, but in his empathy with the people and the times of which he writes…. The genius of The Winds of War and War and Remembrance is that they not only tell the story of the Holocaust, but tell it within the context of World War II, without which there is no understanding it." ( The Washington Post)
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I have loved every minute over this incredibly long book!! My ipod earphones have been glued into my ears for days...I now fear there may be permanent damage. Despite that fact this book is over 45 hours long, it still rockets along nicely.

My one tiny issue is the narrator's attempt at some English accents, but hey, my New York accent is appalling!!!

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in WW2 novels.

Incredible!!!!

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Compelling.. there is so much in this book to digest that it will have to be reread, it will be no hardship. I thought I was pretty knowledgeable on the WWII but I was wrong, and it was so refreshing to see it from different POV's, it only takes you up to Pearl Harbour so looking forward to the next one in series... recommended.. the type of novel that does not get old or out of date, wonderful wish I had read it years ago.. I know it will stay with me in many years to come.

Absolutely Wonderful..

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Wasn't sure how I would take to this work, am currently 20hrs in and have found myself completely drawn into the narrative. It is a slow burn, there are heavy going chapters, but this actually adds to the appeal. The subject matter is weighty, it demands your attention and your thoughts about the content. It is in no way a 'light, easy listen'. I feel the narrator does a good job overall... he manages to keep my attention.
If you are looking for a listen that has meat on its bones...this really might be what you're looking for.
Update 17/12..completed, absolutely loved it, currently downloading book 2 war & remembrance, the scene is now well and truly set, characters established Pearl Harbour has happened. Cannot recommend this first book enough, I like weight to my books and this has satisfied wonderfully. Bravo!

Worthy marathon listen

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History come alive with few compromises on the facts.

A huge, monumental and excellent body of work.

Well written, competently narrated historical novel that has given me more insight into what it must have been like to be amongst the inhabitants of the covered period of time with sn astuteness and intensity not previously experienced than the dozen or so history books that I have so far read on the subject.

I think that there might have been some parts pruned out that may have made this novel more a little tighter and more succinct without loss of any of the quality or sacrifice of insight. But this is just offered as a minor criticism.

Monumental, well written, well performed.

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really well narrated, the book captures the historical events of the time whilst interweaving them with a fictional family and how life must have been through the eyes of character

really great listen

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Superb
Superb
Superb
Superb

Get the picture??!

This is outstandingly well written and performed. Brilliant.

Superb

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What made the experience of listening to The Winds of War the most enjoyable?

Outstanding narration throughout. Great character voices.

What other book might you compare The Winds of War to, and why?

This is a stand alone epic.

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

Not possible, it's nearly 50 hours.

Any additional comments?

One of the best books I've ever read. It's an epic work, following a family as the world moves into World War 2. There's a clever mix of fiction woven around fact and some people really come to life. For me, Roosevelt becomes a complex and single minded individual with an agenda I'd never truly understood. It's quite a revelation and has made me rethink many beliefs about some events in the war.

Strong characters, incredible writing and I'm looking forward to the sequel.

Thought provoking; rewrites history

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I remember reading this book many years ago and was delighted to see it appear here as an audio book. I was concerned that my memories of Victor 'Pug' Henry and his family would not be as I remembered but I was not disapointed. Beautifully told and a joy to listen to. I would recommend this to both people with a love a huge sweeping stories and anyone interested in our recent history,

An epic story of love and war

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Magnificently read by Kevin Pariseau, this history of the second world war as seen by Americans through the lives of an American family and their English friends was a great experience. The characters came alive and you feel their hopes, loses, happiness and sorrows.

I can listen this book again & again

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A history af the run up to and the beginning of the second world war from the American viewpoint. up to thethe forced entry of the USA Into the conflict. Telling of the crucial mistakes of the leaders that contributed to the outcome.

A view from a different angle.

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