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)

Ken did it again

I found Fall of Giants a very good listen and look forward to Book 2.

Great, in the way that Pillars is great

The story, the writing, and the narration made for an enjoyable experience. My only knock is the long wait for the next installment of this series.

Another stunning book

Follett never fails to deliver a rich and satisfying picture of the historical time about which he is writing. I feared that the early 20th century might not be as thrilling to read about as the middle ages, but was delighted to be wrong. Global politics told through personal life stories proivdes a complexity I got lost in during the week I listened. I was sorry when it finished, and can't wait for the next in the series.

Wonderful history lesson

This book was spell binding. The insight into the lifestyle of the rich and the poor prior to WWI was so enlightening. The background of the actions that lead up to the war and the political actions involved were much more interesting than when I got the same (?) information in school. The subtexts of the class actions, suffragettes, coal mining, Russian revolution - what a lesson on the history of the times.

Good way to spend time

John Lee and Ken Follett did a great job. Easy to follow, good incorporation of historical events. Good way to spend time being entertained.

Totally consumed!

I was totally consumed by this book from the first minute, at least half due to John Lee's amazing ability to go from one character to the next -- from an German accent, to a Cockney accent, to a Welsh accent, without an audible blink of an eye. I adore historical fiction, since as a student, I couldn't deal with the dry manner in which most of my teachers insisted on teaching it. When there are such LIVE characters inhabiting that history, however, it makes it so much more real. Thank you, Ken Follett, for teaching me so much about how World War I began, and then, leading up to the horror that would become Hitler. I'm waiting eagerly for the sequel!

Really Good Listen

What made the experience of listening to Fall of Giants the most enjoyable?

Great stories and great story telling. I enjoyed the reader's grasp of accents. There are several story lines all woven beautifully together. This is by far my favorite book by Ken Follett.

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

It follows history adding in fiction to historical events.

Good history lesson

Enjoyed the characters and the fact that it is historically correct. Helped me understand the causes oh World War 1.

Consistently Magic

The combination of Ken Follett's writing and John Lee's narration is consistently magic and this production is no exception!

Excellent story and an even better performance!

John Lee performs the story, emotion and characters so well. I feel like I am watching a movie as I listen.