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)

Consistently Magic

The combination of Ken Follett's writing and John Lee's narration is consistently magic and this production is no exception!

Excellent story and an even better performance!

John Lee performs the story, emotion and characters so well. I feel like I am watching a movie as I listen.

Great Historical Fiction

Enjoyed the numerous intertwining plays the author created to simulate the attitudes messaging to WWl & the aftermath. Great narration.

Class, Empires and War - who could ask for more!

What did you love best about Fall of Giants?

The story is a page turner. World War I completely changed how people in Europe and the United States perceived themselves and their masters. This book tells the story of how that occurred through the lives of all the people concerned. Quite an experience.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters are excellent. We experience the lives of people who experience real lives during the period of World War I. Thus we also suffer the changes, deprivation and fun that they lived and loved through.

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

He rendered every single character, be they man, woman, German, British, American, upper or working class, accurately and believably. Doubtful there could be a better reader for this story.

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

Yes, but it would have meant not sleeping for at least one day! Was great to continue where it had been left of, however - the book was something to look forward to.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to reading Parts 2 and 3!

The Fall of Giants

I listened to The Fall of Giants compulsively, It made me think that my drive to work was not long enough forcing me to wait in the parking lot to the last minute before going in, I slapped on the headphones at lunch and sat in the driveway outside my house. I loved it and look forward to the rest of the century.

Great as Always!

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

This book falls quite high up on my list. Not only because it is nice and long, but I enjoy that Ken makes each life interesting even though he wries an almost day by day account of their lives...ok, not quite, but sometimes it feels that way :-)

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

I have listened to many books on tape over the years and I like the fact that he handled so many different accents and made each person a noticeable person intead of just a bunch of voices.

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

The wings of Butterflies :-) or Ripples
There are so many ripples in this story...I love how they become interwoven.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this very much, though of course I will HAVE to listen to it at least 2 times more asI can't possibly remember all the lovely rich details and character for when the book 2 and 3 finally come out :-)

Good story

I liked the story overall and will listen to the following books. There is a heavy theme towards Socialism through out the story. I enjoy History and the story keeps you involved

Love saga stories

I really enjoy sagas and I would consider this story one. I liked getting to know all the different families and other characters. I didn't mind going from one family to another, it kept my attention by wanting to hear more about each family. I enjoyed this book enough to purchase the second in this trilogy and have already begun listening to the story of the next generation.
The narrator was pretty good. I wouldn't say he was great but good enough to not be a distraction to the story. I don't really care for his version of female voices, he sounds a bit like a drag quessn but story was interesting enough to get past that.

great story

this Epic Novel has a great story told by a great story tell her and performed very well. I am looking forward to the next book

perfect novel

Another masterpiece from Ken Follett (and John Lee narrating). WWI is a fascinating subject but seeing it unfold from the perspectives of characters from all walks of life was such a pleasure. It's not quite a 20th century Kingsbridge, but that doesn't matter.