Winter of the World: The Century Trilogy, Book 2

November 12, 2012 A review of the book Winter of the World by Ken Follett This review is written by Anthony T. Riggio after reading "Winter of the World". This book is the second of a trilogy about the twentieth century and follows "The Fall of Giants" which I read over a year ago and gave it a five star rating. While I did not write a formal review of the fall of Giants, I was so impressed with the beginnings of an epic story, that I believe, stands without rival and that spans such a long period of time covering the lives of families in four countries: Russia, Germany, England and the United States of America. The concept is to analyze and understand the social, economic and political differences of these people and follow how they ultimately interact, which they do, albeit often in different generations of the respective families. Someone once said there is no such thing as a coincidence and I recently read several books dealing with the rise of Nazi Germany and its impact on the three other countries outlined, supra. The books were: Auschwitz: A Doctors Eyewitness Account by Miklos Nyiszli; In the Garden of the Beasts: Love, Terror and An American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson and Armageddon: A Novel of Berlin by Leon Uris. These three books gave me a glimpse of what life was like in Berlin during the 1930's thru the end of World War II. The current book Winter of the World by Ken Follett gave me additional details that corroborated the facts learned in the previously mentioned books though, it is not necessary to pre read these other books before Winter of the World. Winter of the world can stand as both historical backdrop and as literature by itself. I would recommend, however that The Fall of Giants is read first. While I do not know the name of the third work in this trilogy, I will pre-order it from Amazon, as I did for the first two iterations of this remarkable trilogy. Both are long reads and very capturing to the reader. Typical of Follett's historical fiction works, they are tomes but the reader never notices. If you are a lover of history and love well written literature you will thoroughly enjoy reading this book, the Winter of the World. While it is not a necessary mandate that you read them in the order they were published, it will be much more enjoyable to follow the timeline of events and developments of the respective protagonist families. I loved this book and have given it five stars for both historical accuracy and its literary form and I highly recommend reading this book. I can't wait for the third work in this outstanding trilogy and marvel at the scope of the authors undertaking.

I am a fan of Ken Follett. This is the third of his epics I have read. Pillars of the Earth and Fall of Giants are the other two. I seldom attempt to read a book of more than 400 pages because, with all the interruptions in my life, I lose track of the characters and the plot before I get to the end. However, Follett's epics are a set of stories set in different places and they come together (almost) at the end. So it is easier to keep track of characters and consequently, the epics are easier to read on a busy schedule. . Winter of the World picks up on the theme of the first book, Fall of Giants, and follows the lives of key sets of characters in each of the major combatants of WWII (Germany, Britain, US and USSR) except Japan. Mostly, these characters are children of the characters in the first book and mostly these characters are on the fringes of the centers of power in each of the 4 countries. This allows Follett to blend in the political issues facing each of the combatants. Although I was well aware of the atrocities of the Nazis, Winter of the World describes what it was like to live in Germany at the time. Conditions in the Soviet Union under Stalin were not much better. I developed great empathy for some of the characters--in particular Carla in Germany and Daisy and Lloyd in Britain. Carla, like her mother before her, show great fortitude and creativity in avoiding the Nazis. The American characters are a little more difficult to fully understand and I felt less attached to their fates. Looking back, I think that the parts of the book that really captured my heart and imagination were the ones where a powerless individual had to confront danger from a powerful oppressive system or individual. Follett is a master at creating suspense and surprise under these kinds of conditions. These roles fell mainly to the Brits and the Germans. Overall, I think Follett's first epic, Pillar's of the Earth does a better job of creating suspension and tension throughout the book.

Not since Herman Wouk's The Winds of War has there been such a more realistic and readable fictionalized account of the sixteen frightening years leading up to,including, and following World War II. In "Winter of the World", Ken Follett continues in the second installment of his trilogy with the next generation of the five families--American, British, Russian, German/ Austrian, and Welsh--whom we first met two years ago in the first, following them as they cope with changing political climates that plummeted the world into darkest winter. When I finished Fall of Giants: Book One of the Century Trilogy in October 2010, I was bereft wanting more of Follett's trilogy and spent the last two years impatiently waiting for Winter of the World. When I finally saw the full-page add in the Sunday New York Times Book Review three weeks ago, I immediately ordered it. I received it the day after its September 18th publication date, and spent most of my time happily immersed in the lives and times of its protagonists. Even though I know the basic background historical plot and sub-plots, it's the best kind of literary historical fiction that I cannot put down, eagerly wanting to read on-and-on the imaginative part as it unfolds and ends. But I don't want it to. It's that good! Five families again intermingle and intertwine, embroiled in the nefarious Rise of the Third Reich, the Spanish War, and the nightmares of four years of horrific world conflict. The stage setting of these true-to-life characters--heros and heroines all--burgeons with well researched and delineated historical facts and events--some of which, I am sure, are mere footnotes in history books--that Follett, with his clear, concise, fluid writing style has brought to the fore and back to life. Through his characters, Follett educates us with salient true describes and delineates--the best trait of any historical novel. For example, I was unclear about the deeper, more intimate politics and history of the Spanish War, which preceded and helped to precipitate WWII. But when Welsh-born Lloyd Williams, one of the primary heroes, volunteers to fight Franco and his fascists alongside the then current Spanish government's meager forces, I finally understood the real reasons for the conflict. And I also now have a clearer understanding of America's involvement, or lack thereof, during the early stages of Hitler's rise to prurient power. There is something about wrapping a bit of fiction around facts and dates that vividly brings them to life. Which is exactly what Follett does, making this novel so very real and mesmerizing to me. I am old enough to read and totally relate to it, remembering first-hand accounts told to me by parents and relatives who lived through the WWII erea. This novel is poignant for everyone; especially since Follett will undoubtedly take you, as he has me, back in time as he captures and recreates the salient history lessons that we should never forget nor repeat. This review was written by June J. McInerney, literary blogger and book reviewer, and the author of "Adventures of Oreigh Ogglefont".

I'd like to begin by saying why I was able to read and write a review of a 925 page book on the day of its release. I preordered this book a couple of months ago, when the release date was Sep 11th. I was sent the book, received it on Sep 12th and spent a few days reading it. When I went to Amazon to post my review, I found the release date had been moved back to Sep 18th and that I couldn't post my review. So, here it is now! I'm rather curious how many other readers also received their book a week early? Anyway, my review... Ken Follett's new novel, "Winter of the World", is the second in the planned three volume set about the history of the 20th century. Beginning in 1933, Follett brings his huge cast of characters along from the years up to the end of the Great War. To talk about the plot of the new book is impossible. Way too many characters and too many plot points. BUT, Follett's such a good writer that he brings the reader up to date with ALL his characters. Follett gives most of his characters enough nuance that few seem like caricatures. The interesting thing about Follett's second book is the breadth of the coverage of the 1930's and 40's (and into the `50's). Everything from the burning of the Reichstag to the T4 Euthanesia program under the Nazis, to the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the battle of Midway to the development of the atomic bomb is covered. Now, in a regular novel, the reader would think, "oh yeah, how can one character or family of characters be present at all these historic events?" But Follett has developed so many characters that what happens is not unlikely. His characters seem to merge with each other and then separate much like the designs in a kaleidoscope. The American heiress from the Russian-emigree father goes to England in the mid-1930's and marries the son(s) of members the British/Welsh nobility. The German characters interact with both the British and the Russians. All these families had been introduced in Follett's first book and all interacted in Follett's second. Something else interesting I noticed from Follett's first book and his second is the fact that none of the major characters in the first book died. They had to survive to make the second book possible. Now in the second book, several of the main characters do die, which, given the war setting, is a bit more believable. However, many children are also born by book's end and these children will star in the third book in the Follett trilogy. Also, and this is important. Follett doesn't do a lot of reintroducing characters, their relationships, and plot points from the first book to the second. I guess he just assumes most readers have read the first book and so know the characters of the second. As a result, there's little awkwardness to his writing and the second book flows pretty naturally. A question a new reader might ask is if he should read the first book,"Fall of the Giants" before "Winter of the World"? This second book could be a stand-alone novel. Follett sets an ambitious course with his proposed three volume set. So far, with the first and second books, he's done quite well. I don't normally write such short reviews but there's no way to talk about the plot except to say Follett is a master. And if you don't like the book, you can always use it as a door stop. It is a large volume, containing a great story. Enjoy.

Winter of the World is my history! I was born in 1936. I come from a long line of newspaper publishers, editors, reporters. I was aware of the "news" being the center of my grandfather, father, uncles etc. universe and so I listened, sometimes from under the dining room table, others snuggled quietly beside my dad so I wouldn't disturb him as he read aloud. I remember where I was when we heard FDR was dead. "Is this the end of the world, grandpa?" I asked. I have lived in Hawaii so the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor becomes even more vivid to me with Follett's descriptions. It's the first book I ordered on my new Kindle because I had been anxious for part II of the trilogy. I couldn't believe how fast the reading went ... maybe because I wasn't holding a 900 plus page book? I didn't believe it when I came to the end ... I wanted more... what will become of Carla and her boys , soon to be held in East Germany behind the Berlin Wall? What about her boys? The oriental looking one? He is sure to have a place in history unfolding in book III. This author marvelously weaves his characters and their offspring from one volume to the next in the trilogy. It brings true to life the heart wrenching truth that in war NOBODY WINS! So we must learn from history and Follett makes it so real with people on all sides who suffer, die, and some work for a better life. Some cling to evil and selfish ways. This was a perfect book to read at Christmas with a "Silent Night" hymn. Carla is thinking that her father's life meant something and so would her life and the life of her sons because she would raise them to make a difference for a better world. Isn't that what we all are to do? Read this book and you will be inspired to do your part to make a better world! History appears to be repeating itself! What can you do to prevent the same mistakes from happening all over again? "Love your neighbor as yourself."

As a long time Pillars of the Earth fan disappointed by World Without End the Century Trilogy was a nice surprise. I tend to skim reviews while considering buying or not so... Cons are: Typical character development of a Follet book. No spoilers, but little things like choices characters make or their attitude and even physical descriptions are similar to previous works. Plot development can be familiar as well. Can be distracting and lack creativity but to me was not overwhelmingly so. Too much foresight, heavy handed foreshadowing. The story flows through well-known history and the characters confusingly switch between naivete and uncanny foresight while navigating the events they're caught up in. Knowing "winks" to the reader while a character considers the future can be a bit cheesy. Politics discussed are pretty biased, "good" characters are more progressive and "bad" characters are either against change or in favor of radical change away from freedom. Obviously a theme from the time frame but can be a bit overly simplistic. Pros: Huge historical events that shaped our modern world are humanized and personalized in a way I haven't seen before for the time frame. Much like Pillars of the Earth this book brings to life what was previously just dry text in a history book or a black and white photograph. Fascinating levels of detail, invaluable insight into the Lost and the Greatest Generations. The character storyline blends with history well, neither overshadows or relies too heavily on the other. Overall just a great read I think is worth it in both education and entertainment value. I would recommend this book to anyone that has an interest in history, politics, or the world around us in general.

There are reasons why Ken Follett is one of my favorites, if not THE favorites and Winter of the World is another shining example of why. WOW picks up ten years after the end of Fall of Giants. While it does have the original cast from the previous installment, it's more about the second generation: their children. It spans the time from the rise of Hitler and his Nazi regime, through the Spanish Revolution, WWII, Pearl Harbor, the advent of the nuclear bomb, the subsequent bombing of Japan and ends in the 50s. While its well researched and equally well told, it wouldn't be anything more than a history book if it weren't for a diverse and nicely constructed cast. Winter of the World has that in spades. While putting his characters through all kinds of world changing and hellish scenarios, Follett never diverges away from interpersonal drama, relationships and subplots. What he puts his characters through runs the gamut from the uplifting to the downright terrifying. Loves are won and lost, families are born, battles are fought, atrocities are lived through and overcome. Each and every character is well fleshed out and reacts logically. Using a combination of personal motives and moral codes, Follett's characters react to the real world and historical events he's made them a part of in a believable and logical way. They react to what's going on around them and make their decisions based on their beliefs and the state of the world around them. Nobody puts fictional characters into true events like Ken Follett. *As an aside, my favorite characters and story lines center around Lloyd, Carla, Woody and Daisy.* It's an amazing accomplishment that, for the second time, he's interspersed the real and the fictional into such a broad sweeping and well written work. I don't know how he does it but he does. I've read many of the previous reviews and see the low average rating. As it turns out, many of the one and two star reviews are from people complaining about the price...even BEFORE the book was released. Rating a book solely based on the price before ever even reading it is, in my humble opinion, silly, uninformative and unfair to the author. If it's too costly, go to a library. If if wasn't to your liking AFTER having read it, then base the review on that. Complaining about price is a waste of everybody's time. But I digress. Winter Of The World is a fine example of why I love Ken Follett's books and, more importantly, why I love to read. You just can't help but get swept up in the characters and the time periods he writes about. Fantastic.

I'm a big Follett fan and I really enjoyed "Fall of Giants", the first book in this series, which follows an international cast of characters through the events leading up to WWI and the war itself. "Winter of the World" opens in the early 1930s when competition between Capitalist, Communist, and Fascist forces is reaching its boiling point across the globe. The result is WWII, a vast and complicated conflict that would be difficult to put into one book, no matter who was writing it. Follett does a perfectly acceptable job with the history except for one mind baffling omission: where on earth is exploration of Facist Germany's Jewish extermination plan? The German Jews in this book are ostracized and bullied. They suffer poverty, hunger, and rape. They seem vaguely aware of the existence of Concentration Camps and occasionally comment about someone or other who was taken away one day and never came back, or came back having suffered physical harm, but no where in this book does Follett explore what was one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century. I understand that the true extent of Hitler's plan was not known by the international community until much later in the war and the Allies were slow to respond when they DID know, but why on earth didn't Follett put one of his German Jewish characters IN A CONCENTRATION CAMP? Did he feel the subject was too hashed out elsewhere? Too big a topic for his narrative? Not important in the grand scheme of the war? I mean, I'm baffled! This omission is doubly odd when considering that Follett DID give us a glimpse of an early labor camp that seems to serve as a torture ground for homosexuals, as well as the T4 program, which systematically euthanized disabled children and adults. My other main complaint is that, while many of the wonderful characters from "Fall of Giants" are present, their children have become the primary protagonists. By and large, this new generation just isn't quite as interesting as their parents were. Of course, if the first book left you missing Follett's tendency to be harsh on his main characters, this sequel should leave you feeling like things are back to normal. There's a lot more death, disfigurement, and rape in this installment. This book is CLEARLY written from the perspective of a Capitalist Westerner. Since many of the people who read this book are also Capitalist Westerners, it's very easy for us to understand the negative aspects of Facism and Communism. We've been fed pro-Capitalist, anti-OTHER history lessons since our earliest years. However, I wish Follett's Communist and Fascist characters could have given us a better understanding of why these two different forms of government appealed to people. Not just a few people, a LOT of people! Follett pretty much argues that the inhabitants of Europe and Russia were beaten into submission under their respective governments. Well, okay, that's partially true, but it's a gross simplification to say that Communism and Fascism were imposed by brute force and nothing more. Both ideologies have a strong lure and Follett could have enriched his story by allowing us to see it more. This last point may be a overly picky since the Century Trilogy is largely Euro-entric (and its author is Welsh), but Follett doesn't seem to have the best grasp of white and black race relations in the US during this time period. In one of the American sub plot lines, white Greg Peshkov has a relationship (and a child) with black Jacky Jakes and no one really bats an eye. Of course, interracial relationships have been happening in the US since the colonial days of yore, but they weren't generally accepted with a "Que sera" attitude. Granted, the Peshkovs are Russian Americans and therefore might not have the same anti-black prejudices as some of their countrymen, but the whole thing just felt strangely simple. Perhaps this relationship is going to provide more interesting fodder in the third book, which looks like it will include the Cold War and the US Civil Rights Movement.