Fall of Giants

Book One of the Century Trilogy

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 30 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

In future volumes of The Century Trilogy, subsequent generations of the same families will travel through the great events of the rest of the 20th century, changing themselves—and the century itself. With passion and the hand of a master, Follett brings us into a world we thought we knew, but now will never seem the same again.

Exclusive interview: Ken Follett and John Lee Talk about Fall of Giants.

©2010 Kevin Follett (P)2010 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A big Book, Follett''s hugely ambitious saga is a sweeping success. Ken Follett has hit another one out of the park with the initial installment of the hugely ambitious Century Trilogy. His fans will rejoice at the richness, complexity, historical sweep and simmering lust in a saga spanning the years 1911 to 1923." ( Newark Star Ledger)

"A dark novel, motivated by an unsparing view of human nature and a clear-eyed scrutiny of an ideal peace. It is not the least of Follett''s feats that the reader finishes this near 1000-page book intrigued and wanting more." ( Chicago Sun-Times)

"[Follett] meticulously reconstructs an era and leads us through the follies and occasional heroics of its protagonists real and imaginary. He is masterly in conveyers so much drama and historical information so vividly...Grippingly told, and readable to the end." ( New York Times Book Review)

finishing Fall of Giants was like losing a friend

The author of this book is one of the greatest of our time and perhaps any time in human history. This story like those that preceded it is Rich with character development and allows the reader to become invested in the lives of his characters. I'm always a little sad when I finish one of Follett's books. I will enjoy rereading this book many times as I have with all of the author's books.

Worth it

John Lee has a rare talent for voicing character and narrative. It's a joy to listen to his rendition.

WOW

One of the BEST books I have ever listened to! Can't wait to get to the next one!

So good I had to read it twice.

Would you listen to Fall of Giants again? Why?

I fell in love the first time I read it, and obsessed on the second round. The new novel Winter of the World is about to be release, and I thought I should brush up on the characters. I swear it's like reading it for the first time, I can put it down. The characters draw you in from beginning to end, I just want the book to go on forever. The story take you on an endless journey, from many different angles. Their description of the war makes it hard to just side with America, because you empathize with the other countries. The love stories, the families, and the brotherhood of the service men, really make you think about your own relationships. When I pick this book, I didn't know anything about Ken Follet, nor was I interested in any war story. Little did I know I found a gem, that went way past my expectations.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fall of Giants?

Grigori giving his brother Lev Peshkov his ticket. I would tell you more, but the scene touching and sad at the same time, I don't take that away from the reader.

Have you listened to any of John Lee’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes! It is because of John Lee, that I read Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth, and World w/o End. Sometimes I forget that it's only one narrator, I think that's why I love his style so much. John puts faces on the character, and walks me through the scene.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had many reactions to this book, especially the loyal, yet complex relationship between the Russian brothers.

Any additional comments?

If you've never read Ken Follet, please, please read this one.

Makes Me Want To Drive Across the US

If you could sum up Fall of Giants in three words, what would they be?

Drive Learn Escape

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fall of Giants?

Realizing that you were seeing how each of us is tied to each other regardless of nationality, time period or personal travails...

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

Great transition of voices.. I know each character by his voice now.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Eth allowed Bernie to run, even though we all knew he would lose and she was the best candidate.

Fascinating listen despite length.

A great listen if you've got a lot of time! John Lee is a superb narrator and truly brought each character to life.

Incredible detail (much patience required)

If I had purchased this as abridged, I would have been disappointed with the repetition but this purchase was deliberate (to keep me busy checking time-lines, dates and facts.)
An amazing bit of literature with very little (except as noted above) which could be a matter of complaint. Actually loved it because I have come to history as an interest rather late in life - lots to catch up with.

Worth you time to read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

My parents were born during the time period of the book, hearing about the world that they were born into was fascinating. If you want a good read or have some interest in history, this is one of the best books for making a run or long drive fly by! Logged a lot of miles on this one and all of them were enjoyable.

What did you like best about this story?

Story flowed so well

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

John Lee is so fun to listen too, you pay attention to the story. There have been others where I spent as much time thinking about the performer as the book. He made it come alive for me.

If you could take any character from Fall of Giants out to dinner, who would it be and why?

No question, Ethel William Lechworth

Unparalleled narration saves slow moving story

I experienced a depth of WW1 that I never expected to gain while reading this book. The characters are engaging. The narrator is exceptional. The story line moves slowly.

Beware! Like Crack or Other Addictive Substance.

What did you love best about Fall of Giants?

I can't stop listening to these. I'm on my 3rd Ken Follet book narrated by John Lee, the standard by which all narrators should be compared, and I cannot help myself. After each book ended, I entered a profound state of depression--until I got my next fix.

Excuse my being flippant about drug addiction, but these audio books are so good, I can't think of a more apt comparison.