WWII

By a curious coincidence, I listened to this audiobook in quick succession with two others by Jewish writers writing about WWII (including accounts of the European Jews under the Nazis): The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon, and QB VII by Leon Ulris. Each of these offer unique insights. All in, The Winds of War is an interesting book. Not quite a fun book (unlike The Amazing Adventures); not just from the Jews’ perspective and of concentration camps (unlike QB VII); but educational and broad-ranging. It is easy to listen to, as the language is contemporary, so one could multi-task while listening and yet follow along easily. Even the analyses, where they occur, are in plain language and pretty accessible to someone who’s not a WWII buff.

The book offers the U.S.’s perspective of the years (late ‘30s to 1941) running up to Pearl Harbor, i.e. prior to and up to U.S. officially entering WWII. Europe was already at war with Nazi Germany, and the Japanese on the move. Through the eyes of the Henry family, we gain glimpses into politics, personalities, military developments, battles, social changes etc during that period. Byron Henry’s adventures with Natalie Jastrow in Italy / Poland was a highlight.

Through the Jastrows and their relatives, we catch close-up accounts of the tragic ordeals of the Jews in Berlin, Warsaw and later Minsk. It felt like witnessing all the beloved characters in Fiddler on the Roof being cornered, carted off and massacred. One will probably not feel this in such a painful and personal way from history books or even holocaust museums.

It must have taken a lot of research and planning for Herman Wouk to skillfully position each member of the family in a place of action at the right time. In fact he also weaved in the memoirs of Armin von Roon, a German officer. This offers different views of the “good” and “bad” guys in history. It’s refreshing.

The book contains much information. For instance, Roosevelt’s “Lend Lease” is something I did not know before, and the fact that the Japanese attacked Clark Field back-to-back with Pearl Harbor.

A word about the characters... I am drawn to Byron’s free-spirited character, though he all but disappeared after Poland. Victor’s accounts dominate most of the latter part of the book, but I find him by-the-book and conservative, unlike his son. As for Natalie, all I could think, with increasing disbelief and exasperation throughout the book, was “get out of Italy!!”

The story continues in Part 2, “War and Remembrance”.

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great book

#Audible1 could not stop listening to this book the narrator is fantastic. war and remembrance is great as well.

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Best Historical Fiction Ever Written

Herman Wouk is the penultimate master at wrapping a fictional tale around real events.

I read Winds of War when it first came out and the story transported me again even after 47 years.

The epic tale is told so well and so complete yet not in a grandiose way. You can so easily relate and believe you are a part of the Henry family.

Wouk will forever remain my weaver of historic tales. All these years later, still none can compare.

I suggest you read his sequel, too, War and Remembrance, just as stellar!

Only downside: the tale ended.

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A Classic Story by Wouk

This book might appeal more to those who lived through WWII or those who are simply facinated by the Era, however I would highly recommend it to anyone as a superb piece of historical fiction. Great character development and personal stories set astride the key events of the pre-war and war years. You will need to listen to War and Remembrance to complete this great story.

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Epic WWII Saga

Great historical fiction and must listen for Wouk and WWII history fans. Greatly enjoyed the experience.

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Fantastic story that makes the events of WWII come to life

Herman Wouk does an incredible job of describing the events of the Americans in WWII through a delightful cast of characters. It was a fast-paced listen and I eagerly awaited picking it up again.

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