Rating: Summary: An informative and captivating story Review: The novel "War and Remembrance" is by far Herman Wouk's greatest book, and the prequel "Winds of War" is nearly as good. Wouk blends history and fiction brilliantly, better than anyone else I have ever read. The greatest part about this book is the analysis of the fictional General Armin von Roon. Wouk beautifully captured the mindset of the German military commander. I happen to have an obsession with World War II military history and I must say, that he is dead on with his analysis. From biographies I have read on Rommel, Guderian, and Manstein, even Hitler, his conlusions are supported by the words of the commanders themselves
Rating: Summary: Great History Lesson Review: This book along with it's companion, The Winds of War are so full of vivid history. I learned from these books more about WWII including what led up to it than any history class, documentary, or history book could ever provide.On top of all this history is a touching tale about a military family that suffers the highs and lows of personal events (romance, divorce, death, etc.) while rubbing elbows with all the great names of that time. The authors descriptions of some of the battle scenes (The German defeat of the French) are so real that I felt I had experienced them first hand. This should be required reading for any WWII history class.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Historical Fiction. It Sets The Standard. Review: This book and its team-mate, The Winds of War, set extraordinarily high standards for historical fiction. The coverage of major war events is stupendous, and the intertwined fictional tale -- Warren's death at Midway, Pug's eventual marriage to Pamela, Natalie's horrible imprisonment and bare survival of Auschwitz, Dr. Jastrow's death in the gas chamber, Carter Aster's drowning in a heroic act to save his boat, Leslie Slote's victory over cowardice and death as a Jedburg commando -- all make for a riveting adventure. Enjoy.
Rating: Summary: World War II @ it's finest Review: This book contains great fictional characters combined with a super accurate account of the war. I have read and re-read this book 4 or 5 times and I am sure if I live another 20 years (and keep my eyesite) I will read it 4 or 5 times more. The same holds true for The Winds Of war, the pre-quel. If you have any interest at all in World War II, or just want to read a good book, this is it.
Rating: Summary: an epic journey through World War Two. Review: This book, and it's companion piece "Winds of War", are in my opinion, the greatest of all Herman Wouk's writing...In War and Rem. one is taken on a powerful journey through time..As you follow the Henry family through the conflagration known as World War Two, you learn to love all of them, and experience their triumphs and their incredible pain...you relive the most important battles first hand..Stalingrad, Midway, Leyte gulf, and on and on..and you delve into the Europe held in the iron grip of the greatest madman this planet has ever known...what was it like for a Jew trying to get out?..you will learn in the stunning story of Natalie and Aaron Jastrow...I envy you if you enjoy an epic historical story, and a great family novel, because you are about to enter the world of 1941 through the eyes of Herman Wouk...and you will never forget it.
Rating: Summary: To the reviewer from Turducken Review: This is the best historical novel I have read on WWII. A majority of the information is historical fact and Herman Wouk does a masterful job of weaving fictional characters into the story. The only negative is the lack of information on Japanese atrocities. Mr. Wouk provides accurate information on the allied firebombings that killed thousands of Japanese but fails to mention the thousands of Americans, Phillipinos, Chinese, British and other allied soldiers and civilians that the Japanese murdered in POW camps and in countries they invaded. The subject of Japanese atrocities is never mentioned in the book, a small shortcoming to an otherwise superb historical novel.
Rating: Summary: Outstanding WWII novel Review: This is the best historical novel I have read on WWII. A majority of the information is historical fact and Herman Wouk does a masterful job of weaving fictional characters into the story. The only negative is the lack of information on Japanese atrocities. Mr. Wouk provides accurate information on the allied firebombings that killed thousands of Japanese but fails to mention the thousands of Americans, Phillipinos, Chinese, British and other allied soldiers and civilians that the Japanese murdered in POW camps and in countries they invaded. The subject of Japanese atrocities is never mentioned in the book, a small shortcoming to an otherwise superb historical novel.
Rating: Summary: A major achievement Review: This is the second of two books relating the history of the Henry family as they make their various ways through the Second World War. The main character, Victor 'Pug' Henry, is an American naval captain who is called upon to act in an unofficial capacity for the President, and who therefore sees the war from an extraordinary angle. Such a device creates the potential for marvellous fiction and Wouk does not let us down. Who knows what makes a writer write just such a story, and no other. Who can tell how the balance is achieved in a novel, that keeps us thoroughly in its grip and leaves us so satisfied at the end. Wouk has achieved these ends marvellously, and in my opinion, has done so by taking risks with both the plot and his characters, which, by being successful, raise the work to a very high level of historical fiction indeed. "War and Rembrance" continues the threads of all the family members, starting off with the events surrounding the attack on Pearl Harbour. The main story in this book is, however, that of the Jewish ghetto of Theresienstadt, to which, as the war advances, three of the book's characters are inexorably drawn. It is a chilling tale and one that deserves to continue being read around the world.
Rating: Summary: A good soap opera, that's about it. Review: This title, like it's predecessor, "The Winds of War" is full of so many ridiculous situations, as to border on the absurd. To think of a person in the main characters position, to be in these situation, is ridiculous fiction. He always says the right thing, to the right person, makes the right decisions, at the right time. Always. Pug, the omnipresent, clarevoyent, far-seeing, all knowing naval Captain, giving advice to world leaders who figuretively slap their foreheads while saying, "Pug, you're so right, why didn't I think of that ? ".........yeah, right. Also amusing is how he and his family always have sumptious meals of steak, seafood, fine wines, etc., during wartime shortages and rationing. Both books are full of such contradictions, over and over and over...... Both books are amusing entertainment, though in a very shallow way, but to take them serious, is a mistake.
Rating: Summary: A good soap opera, that's about it. Review: This title, like it's predecessor, "The Winds of War" is full of so many ridiculous situations, as to border on the absurd. To think of a person in the main characters position, to be in these situation, is ridiculous fiction. He always says the right thing, to the right person, makes the right decisions, at the right time. Always. Pug, the omnipresent, clarevoyent, far-seeing, all knowing naval Captain, giving advice to world leaders who figuretively slap their foreheads while saying, "Pug, you're so right, why didn't I think of that ? ".........yeah, right. Also amusing is how he and his family always have sumptious meals of steak, seafood, fine wines, etc., during wartime shortages and rationing. Both books are full of such contradictions, over and over and over...... Both books are amusing entertainment, though in a very shallow way, but to take them serious, is a mistake.
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