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)

Loved it and learned alot.

I must admit that I was put off by the negative reviews I read. I listened to it anyway and loved it. With good characters that I cared about it is a very easy read. What I was amazed at was how little I learned in school about WW1. I think you could easily teach a course based on this book. I went to the internet constantly to learn more about incidents that were mentioned in the book. I could not put it down.

Great story about World War I

I had been looking for a good story that also explains how WWI came about, and found it in "Fall of Giants, Book 1". This was my first Ken Follett book, and I really enjoyed the way he tells a story and explains history at the same time. It moved right along and didn't get weighed down in elaborate descriptions that take forever to get through. Yet, he describes things well . . . I really had a good picture in my mind of the characters, scenes, etc. It is true that the main characters reconnect with one another throughout the book in ways that are somewhat unbelievable. I was forgiving of Follett for this because he is such a good storyteller. However, I do hope this feedback reaches the author so he can work on improving this one weak point. Despite this, I still give it five stars. In fact, I liked it so much that I read it twice before moving on to a new book!

The Best Book I've ever read

I originally said that about Pillars of the Earth. But after listening to Fall of Giants, I will say it again. Ken Follett is a master at writing an interesting story. I like history, but it is can be dry. I find historical fiction to be increadibly satisfying. If I'm going to take the time to "read" a book, I would like to keep something from it. At least with these two books I know that the major events are true.

I can't recommend it highly enough. I think I'll start all over again with it.

Great Saga

Great!!!! Loved it hated to stop listening. Long but well worth it.... Looking forward to his next book

Bad reviews almost made me miss a good story

My wife and I loved Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, and I was excited about Fall of Giants too, until i read reviews on amazon. I then wasn't sure to read it or not, but my wife downloaded it anyway. We both have thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it. There is a bit more sex than the other books of his I read, but it doesn't ruin anything.

If you love history, you will enjoy this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The reader was very enjoyable (although you can hear his slight struggle with an American accent), and the characters draw you in and are relatable. However, I could have done without the numerous, highly descriptive sex scenes. I purchased this book to hear about the politics of starting of a war, Not to hear about hard nipples and erect cocks.

Wonderful

I enjoyed every minute of this book - the characters were engaging, the storyline compelling, the history was a reminder of how the 20th century began in war and how nationalism ultimately led to yet another war. I was moved by several moments, but especially the scene in the Welsh mining town following the battle of the Somme. The narration was flawless and my only regret was when it came to an end.

Loved It!

Historical fiction is my favorite genre. This book was fantastic! Each plot thread was interesting - I enjoyed every minute. I am looking forward to the next two books.

A historical novel

What did you love best about Fall of Giants?

the history lesson, the war and the insite into the culture of the rich and the poor

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fall of Giants?

the ending

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

no

Who was the most memorable character of Fall of Giants and why?

the brother who came back to the small town to live

i have fallen for the characters

At first I thought the reader was a bit stiff but he was able to go from a German accent to a Welsh bough than into an English accent so I forgave the stiffness. The characters soon became real and I saw their lives as they must have been back then and how different each group thought.The book was able to explain the developments to start World War 1 and how it set up for the second War. All this in a very engaging way. I hope for a sequel,