Ken Follett & John Lee Talk About Fall of Giants

By: Ken Follett, John Lee

Narrated by: Diana Dapito

Length: 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Ken Follett and John Lee, the author and narrator of Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, are back together again for Fall of Giants, the first in The Century Trilogy. They recently chatted with Audible editor Diana Dapito about the new epic book, and what it was like to write and record it.

Fall of Giants is Ken Follett's magnificent new historical epic. The first novel in The Century Trilogy, it follows the fates of five interrelated families—American, German, Russian, English, and Welsh—as they move through the world-shaking dramas of the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the struggle for women's suffrage.

Thirteen-year-old Billy Williams enters a man's world in the Welsh mining pits…. Gus Dewar, an American law student rejected in love, finds a surprising new career in Woodrow Wilson's White House…. Two orphaned Russian brothers, Grigori and Lev Peshkov, embark on radically different paths half a world apart when their plan to emigrate to America falls afoul of war, conscription, and revolution…. Billy's sister, Ethel, a housekeeper for the aristocratic Fitzherberts, takes a fateful step above her station, while Lady Maud Fitzherbert herself crosses deep into forbidden territory when she falls in love with Walter von Ulrich, a spy at the German embassy in London….

These characters and many others find their lives inextricably entangled as, in a saga of unfolding drama and intriguing complexity, Fall of Giants moves seamlessly from Washington to St. Petersburg, from the dirt and danger of a coal mine to the glittering chandeliers of a palace, from the corridors of power to the bedrooms of the mighty. As always with Ken Follett, the historical background is brilliantly researched and rendered, the action fast-moving, the characters rich in nuance and emotion. It is destined to be a new classic.

Listen to Fall of Giants.

©2010 Kevin Follett (P)2010 Penguin Audio

Great Insight

A really great "behind the scenes" talk between author and narrator. There is insight on how Ken writes his novels and how John prepares to narrate them. I did find it interesting that the two of them had never met or spoken before and yet this is not the first book of Ken's that John had narrated.

Can't wait!!!!!

The second book will be great. I loved to listen to Ken and John Lee talk about the book and what will come up in the second book then third.... A century of of five story's..

good to know

now that the trilogíy is finished we can ' wait for the new historie of Kingsbridge

Tour De Force Series

5 decades - 5 families - 5 countries. All handled brilliantly by both the writer and the exceptional narrator, John Lee, who amazingly masters all the accents (except perhaps the American). Audible also offers a most interesting discussion between these two luminaries, which I enjoyed immensely and recommend.

I'm a new fan of Ken Follett

and now John Lee, so this was a treat! One by one I'm going through and purchasing all of Ken's books, starting with the ones narrated by John Lee.

Hated to see it end!

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the way Ken Follett interwove all of the characters and families into the story line. Also, I enjoyed his detailed handling of the important political events of the time. John Lee deserves great credit as the narrator. He brought the characters to life as he changed his accent and voice for each one, making the dialog easy to follow.

Which character – as performed by Diana Dapito – was your favorite?

My download was read by John Lee, not Diana Dapito. I guess

Any additional comments?

My only criticism is that I thought the author’s overly detailed description of sexual intercourse was gratuitous at times, adding nothing of substance to the story. But, I look forward to the remaining two parts of the trilogy.

Fabulous - thank you

Where does Ken Follett & John Lee Talk About Fall of Giants rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Stellar

What other book might you compare Ken Follett & John Lee Talk About Fall of Giants to and why?

Loved Pillars Of The Earth, too

Which scene was your favorite?

??? I've just begun Fall Of Giants . . How could I have a favorite scene yet

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

no way . . too busy; but I look forward to times when I can listen

Any additional comments?

Inspirational to my inner writer and destined student of humanity

fantastic story, fantastic reader

We listen to lots of books on tape as we drive up and down the east coast, and this is the best story we have heard. The reader does an amazing job with all the accents, and the plot is fabulous. We can't wait for the sequel!

Persuasive quality

Ken Follett's expertise in history and accurate accents came through clearly in this interview and convinced me without question that I wanted to experience his most magnificent undertaking, a true tour de force. He brings history to life, despite the massive challenge of presenting characters from four "giants" -- nations that are waging war and striving for peace. This interview is about a fascinating, epic book.

Interesting

Nice prelude to the book. It also gives a good backdrop to how Ken started writing his cathedral books. I didn't find either Ken or John to be pompous in this interview, as some other reviewer have remarked.