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)

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.

One of my all time favorites

Highly entertains. The combination of an important time in history, interesting characters and gripping stories made me look forward to the next book in the series.

Good story but a bit like a mini series

Overall good. The performance and different voices were good. Sometimes this reader is a bit to sing song but he did a nice job with this.

I love Ken Follett

Really enjoy having history interwoven with a fictional story. I've always found history dry, but this I enjoy. I used to love Michener, because he was so talented in the same way. I don't usually care for Oprah's book selections, but I loved Pillars of the Earth and World Without End by Follett. I definitely recommend this new trilogy.

Another Follett masterpiece.

Ken Follett's love of history is apparent once again. John Lee's narration is perfect - he either anticipates well or has read the tale and knows its nuances.

Sad it's over

Incredible story, skilled narrative dialogue, hooked me into history, can't wait to start the next.

Impressive and worth the experiance

What did you love best about Fall of Giants?

The Characters and the incredible research that Ken follet must have done to develop them and place them in such vivid and accurate settings was most impressive.
This is not a type of read I would normally be attracted to but I am glad I read it. I can honestly say I feel better educated about a time in world history that does not get much attention in popular media. Honestly, who knew Lenin was a redhead?

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Not sure, with it being so well written with factual events you can anticipate what is to come in the story or know the inevitable future for a character. There were times while reading I wished it would pick up pace or throw a twist in to keep you on your toes but fear this might cheapen the work. Go into it with an open mind and in the end you should at least have an appreciation of Ken's talent of creating the most detailed world through words.

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

No, but I would make an effort to listen to a second performance.

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

Dear god, I want to meet the person that tries.

Any additional comments?

By the end, you will be able to annoy all your friends with your mastery of european accents.

I loved it.

Would you listen to Fall of Giants again? Why?

Yes. It was a long involved book with lots of characters. I loved the length of it. It kept my interest throughout.

Very interesting!

John Lee is fantastic.

I was hoping for a bit more of a standoff between some of the main characters as the story developed.

Overall Im veru glad I gave it a listen. There is not much better historical fiction to be found.