Fall of Giants

Book One of the Century Trilogy

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: John Lee

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)

The Jury's Out, Part 1...

I'm writing this review after listening to part 1&2 (out of 4). I've listened or read every novel Mr. Follett has written over the years, as far back as Triple and Key to Rebecca and of course, POTE and WWE. I can't help finding this book, well, a bit boring. I will continue to listen because I still have high hopes that something will draw me into the story and knowing that 2 more sequels are to follow, I have to believe it will pick up. I will say, the book makes me want to polish up on my WW1 history and the events leading up to the war. I plan to post another review after finishing part 3&4.

ONE OF 2010's BEST!!!

I did not think that Ken Follett could keep me as interested as he did in The Pillars of the Earth or World Without End but he did it! Fall of Giants is one of his best! I am only sorry that it ended when it did and that was after almost 1000 pages and waiting until 2012 for the next book in the trilogy is going to be tough! You will fall in love with his characters, at least those of them that you don't want to kill. I can't wait for Part II...

Great Storytelling and Narration

Any additional comments?

Although Follett can tend toward being a bit formulaic, he writes great stories. I like this one particularly because it puts you right in the turmoil of the Russian revolution and in the middle of the discontent in Britain over the incompetency of their war leaders. This is a fascinating story. I learned a great deal about the period between the Archduke's assassination and the actual start of the war. Most histories skip this eventful sequence.

I loved it

Fall of Giants didn't quite compare to POTE and WWE, but I truly have enjoyed it. I read in other reviews that the characters were not developed enough but I disagree, I came to care about the main characters and I am very interested in following their story into the next book.

Truly Captivating

Would you listen to Fall of Giants again? Why?

I would listen to Fall of Giants again because there is so much content. In order to really retain all those details, I think this book deserves a second listen.

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

His accents are wonderful. He does a great job of creating all the characters and really give each one a personality.

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

No, but that isn't because the book wasn't good. The content is heavy and after particularly sad or emotional part of the story, I needed a little break to let my heart and head process all of the story.

Can't wait for the next book!

Ken Follett has found a way to make history live. This epic novel, and the first part of an epic trilogy, fullfills all expectations. Excellent story, well told, and very well performed.

First Rate!!

My wife and I listened to this all the way from NY to SC and back. It was terrific, and we both recommend it highly!

I loved this book!

I loved this book! I learned so much about the world in the WWI time period. It's very interesting to see how the different factions all around the world drew each other into the first world war.

I found the characters and their stories easy to follow even though this is definitely a book of epic proportions.

A typically great Ken Follett read

As a fan of Ken Follett's work, I was very pleased when Fall of Giants came out. He certainly was able to pack a lot into the book and still keep my interest. Some of the characters are more engaging than others though each takes his turn at the forefront of the book. It would have been so simple to make the characters in the book larger than life but Follett makes them real, so real in fact that you find yourself invested in the drama that surrounds their lives during this torturous period of social upheaval. You wonder how they will all interact as time goes on.

I would be remiss if I did not mention John Lee who has brought other Follett books to life. Hearing his voice as the book began was like slipping on a comfortable coat that you haven't worn in a while. I cannot imagine a better narrator the Mr. Lee for this book. Now I just have to wait for the next installment. It will seem like such a long wait too.

excellent book and reader

If you are into historical fiction, you'll love this. Well written and read. Narration is excellent and untiring.