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)

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.

Dumb now dumb then

We seem to come up good reasons to start wars then decide that loosing is better than stopping. The people who make money don't want to stop. If the cost is hidden many like to ride on the wagon.Victims seem to be the the only real loosers.

Blend of Characters come alive in stress & love

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

I would recommend it to anyone studying history and wanting a better understanding of WWI and its ramifications in the world today.

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

Its a saga for sure. Several years ago on a long road trip we listened to a series of academic lectures on WWI, which definitely helped me put the characters adn siguations in perspective.

Which scene was your favorite?

People getting dressed just so before going out. Who does that any more? I recently attended a women's business conference and most of the attendees were not in business clothes. I think our culture needs to take a turn back to better clothes and grooming.

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

Interesting times ahead.

Any additional comments?

Thank you for inviting me to participate. Enjoyed the book.

Absolutely loved it

Loved this book and the reader was excellent. Can't wait to start the next two. Would love for recommendations for more like this.