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)

Excellent historically novel

Where does Fall of Giants rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best I listen to thus far

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

Winter of the world, writen by the same author

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

The emotions of characters come across and move you.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The first world war comes to life like never before.

Any additional comments?

I loved this book, it gave me more information on life during this important time than I have ever found elsewhere.

Great story; stentorian reader

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

The story is very well crafted; the intertwining story lines, connected with the real, historical narrative are wonderfully entertaining and enlightening. The reader is adept at the many accents the story requires (Welsh, upper class British, German, Russian, American), but his reading is often stilted.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Billy Twice, because of the growth he shows over the years.

What aspect of John Lee’s performance would you have changed?

He often sounds a bit like William Shatner in his reading style: a bit pompous, a bit stentorian and a lot stiff. His accents were great, however.

Any additional comments?

Great story, good reader; don't let his style deter you; the story is captivating.

Another great book by Ken Follett!

I learned much about WWI from this book. I'm excited to start the next one!

Can't wait to start the second book.

Ken Follett is a master story teller. I learn more history from his books than I did in any history class at school.

Sublime.

such a wonderful and immersive book. As my review title suggests. It is sublime in every way.

Great book. can't wait to continue trilogy.

loved it. the narration was the best I've experienced so far. excellent story. entertway of learning more about historical events.

Real story of war

Loved this book and you will too if you are interested in history He shows multiple sides and adds the human side of war

Excellent

Held me with its drama and history can’t wait for the next episode or book

Second time listening to this book!

Loved everything about this book. Loved the story, Love the charters & Love the history lesson!

Worth the time to listen!

This was a very exciting story to listen to. The story teller really added to the story with his narration and character voices. Such rich history on the early 1900s and WWI.