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)

Waiting for conclusion

Waiting for the second and third installations. Like others have written - ends rather suddenly without much resolution.

Flawless!

What did you love best about Fall of Giants?

That I learned so much. I found out what a huge difference there is between knowing about historical events versus being able to understand them in context of human lives. Ken Follett is the master at this!

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

There were so many! I enjoyed Billy Williams courageously standing up for himself when his life was on the line in the court-martial hearing. I was cheering for him!

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

He brought everything to life - wonderful narration!

Who was the most memorable character of Fall of Giants and why?

I loved so many characters, but Ethel Williams was probably my favorite.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait to listen to the next book in the series!

another block buster

The author again writes a great story, interesting, spell binding, and surprising. A book everyone should enjoy.

very very very very very ver character development

great characters very very very very very very very good very good very very very very good very good super awesome amazing great kick butt

Fall of Giants by a Giant of an author

This one is spectacular. It never falters. It is never bogged-down. It puts you into the horror of World War. It paints real people with real human emotions. I cannot wait until the next in this triology. Ken, go back to that typewriter (or word processor) immediately and get us book II

My highest recommendation.

A very good read (Listen)

As with most of Follet's books, this one is very good. I have yet to read or listen to subpar book by this author. I highly recommend this selection. I've been a member of Audible for several years...can't go wrong with Follet.

Kept my attention

Ken Follett is a great story teller. This book had colorful characters, great mix of history and fiction, and I found it very entertaining.

Top of the List

I really enjoy Ken Follett books and I would have to say that I would put Fall of Giants at the top of the list. More so than Pillars or Dangerous Fortune, two books that I loved. I found the characters in this story far more realistic. I also enjoyed the way that he weaves their lives together and integrates them with those of real historical figures-- very well done!

Outstanding historical fiction

Fascinating account of World War I. The intertwined lives of families from England, Germany, Wales, Russia and the US present a personalized picture of social and political realities in an age most of us know little about. Solid research and brilliant storytelling combine to give us a history lesson that leaves us begging for more.

Only Ken Follett can

Yes, only Mr Follett can mix his fictional characters and true historical events so beautifully that the reader\listener is so convinced that these fictional characters actually existed. Follett is a true story-teller and he has not let down his POTE and WWE fans. Many reviews suggest that this book does not develop characters as POTE and WWE. I disagree with them, Ken Follett start developing the characters from page one and makes WW1 a part of their lives so fluid and smooth. i don't think there is any other author who could do it so well.

I cannot wait for the next book which is going to be about WWII. By the end of FOG, you can see the track laid for the next war. Apart from the story and the characters, the historical data that this book has is incredible. One thing very different from POTE and WWE is the negative characters which are very prominent in Follett's every book is missing from FOG. Anti-war readers might say that the war-mongers were the negative, but reading this book, tells you how so many million factors influence a war.

A word for the narrator, just like POTE and WWE; John Lee does an amazing job. This time, he had to do 5 different accents and he pulls it off with 5 stars. I could make out which Russian brother is speaking, which Welsh miner was talking in a labor meeting. John Lee has an incredible talent.

Finally, buy this book if you are a POTE, WWE fan, you will not be disappointed. You will never find so much depth and interest for such fictional; but not so fictional characters.