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)

Best Way to learn History !

I was very pleased by Fall of Giants and look forward to reading (listening to) Winter World. I'm quite familiar with the history surrounding the cause and onset of World War I. I must say this story told that story about as clearly as any text I've ever read. The entire time I listened to Fall of Giants I kept thinking how it would be a great way to teach history to people who aren't interested in it but must take it. My own children come to mind. Of course some of the explicit descriptions of sexual activity may preclude younger students from this, I think it would be apropos for college students. Great Job !

Great historical novel

What did you love best about Fall of Giants?

I am a sucker for a good historical novel that transports you back to the time period portrayed by the author. The balance of upstairs and downstairs characters negotiating life pre-WWI and into the war is most enjoyable. Can't wait to see how these characters develop over books II and III. The characters connections to the historical figures of the time are entirely credible and provides the reader with some insight into life at that time.

Bravo.

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

Mr. Lee narrates a great story,slipping between the male and female characters above and below stairs with great ease and seamless transitions.

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

Billie Williams is my favorite downstairs character and Walter Von Ulrich is the most interesting upstairs character because he challenges many of the expected behaviors for a man of his station in life.

Great book and Great quality audio book!

Would you listen to Fall of Giants again? Why?

It's a great story and good lesson in 'history'.

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

I loved John Lee's voice and inflections!

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

It was of course too long for that.

Patience paid off

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

Yes. I found the setting of the story very interesting, which was of course the appeal from the get go. You won't earn a history degree here, but I thought it painted a great picture of how people lived during this time in history.

Any additional comments?

It took awhile to get into the book and the characters. It seemed kind of like 'work' for the first 20%, but then I was hooked.

Entertaining & Educational

I love historical novels and really learned a lot about World War 1 and a few key figures. As always John Lee is perhaps the best story teller I have ever heard.

Masterful blend of history and fiction!

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

War never ends.

What other book might you compare Fall of Giants to and why?

It's like nothing I've ever read before - usually a fan of epic fantasy, I got swept into this book (and it's sequel) based on others reviews. An epic in it's own right, Follett masterfully tells the stories of several different families and how their lives are impacted by WWI.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

Ethel and Maude were definitely my favorites. I like to think if I was around in that time, I would have been a suffragette.

If you could rename Fall of Giants, what would you call it?

To Hell and Back

Any additional comments?

The narrator, John Lee, is amazing. I could listen to this man read the phone book. His ability to change cadence, inflection and accent with each different character really brought them to life.

Outstanding blend of history and fiction

Ken Follett did a remarkable job blending the complex politics in Europe leading up to the First World War with an entertaining story told through some well developed characters. While I have studied Military History, I didn't have enough appreciation for the political dynamics (and hubris of European leaders) that led the world reluctantly into war.

John Lee does a solid job of narrating the story.

Took a while to get into, but worth the wait

Worth the wait - I learned a lot! The narrator was amazing, I can't believe how many different accents he did.

Excellent!

This is my first audio book; I spend so much time in the car I decided to give it a go with a book I could never make the time to read. I planned to just listen in the car; but found my ear buds in constantly as the story was gripping and the narrator fantastic!

WOW... AMAZING!!!!

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

The story was great, the reader was extraordinary!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Billy Twice, the story starts with him and ends with him, he is so brave and strong but really have no idea.

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

Gregory, just to hear what he really thinks and feels about how his life turned from what he had planned

Any additional comments?

Amazing read, great historical references and really touching personal lives. Never wanted to turn it off.