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Fall of Giants

Book One of the Century Trilogy

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Fall of Giants

Written by: Ken Follett
Narrated by: John Lee
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About this listen

 Ken Follett’s magnificent new historical epic begins as five interrelated families move through the momentous dramas of the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the struggle for women’s suffrage.

A thirteen-year-old Welsh boy enters a man’s world in the mining pits. . . . An American law student rejected in love finds a surprising new career in Woodrow Wilson’s White House. . . . 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 a German spy. . . . And two orphaned Russian brothers embark on radically different paths when their plan to emigrate to America falls afoul of war, conscription, and revolution.

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, Fall of Giants takes us into the inextricably entangled fates of five families—and into a century that we thought we knew, but that now will never seem the same again. . . . Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction World Literature War Soviet Union Military Russia Imperialism Middle Ages England Thought-Provoking Winston Churchill Destiny

What the critics say

"Follett is masterly in conveying so much drama and historical information so vividly . . . grippingly told." —The New York Times Book Review

"Follett entwines fiction and factual events well. . . . This is 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 thousand-page book intrigued and wanting more." —Chicago Sun-Times

"A good read. . . . It's a book that will suck you in, consume you for days or weeks . . . then let you out the other side both entertained and educated. That's quite the feat." —USA Today

"Fall of Giants is a book for you to savor, one in which you can lose yourself for hours on end. It is a big book that tells a big story, but it is one you will not want to end." —The Huffington Post

"Fascinating, in a big way." —St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"A suspenseful epic." —The Seattle Times

"Tantalizing." —Newsday

"Follett conjures the winds of war." —The Washington Post

"Grand in scope, scale, and story." —The Associated Press

Continue the series
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The narration could not be better. The characters are believable and, thanks to John Lee‘s excellent narration, knowable. Ken Follett‘s masterful story telling and use of historical details makes the events of World War One not only understandable but seem inevitable.

Fantastic portrayal of real history through fiction.

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This was such a wonderful book, I bought the entire series, being a history buff. It was a great intro into WW1, and as someone else mentioned, you really understand WW1 after listening to it. My grandfather was a WW1 Veteran, wounded and with medals for bravery when he came home, having survived the battle of The Somme.
Ken Follett’s characters make the book, and history come alive, and John Lee’s narration is phenomenal. He does a pretty decent Welsh, Russian, and I assume American accent, does a great job with the women’s voices, and makes this book such a pleasure to listen to. I hope the next in the series still focuses on the families, I assume they will deal with the children of this war, into WW2. I bought myself extra credits for my birthday so I have the series. I absolutely loved this book. I had forgotten how good a writer Ken Follett is. #Audible1

Absolutely loved this book, awesome narration.

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Ken Follet has a masterful way of telling complicated history in a manner more easily understood. In this book the explanation of how a single shot started a world war. Of course we know it wasn't that single shot that started World War I, it was much more complicated.

The book delves into how previous wars, class war and discrimination brought together a soup that had to boil over. The author gives us a variety of rich and real characters we come to care about and all sides of the war argument are represented.

I never really understood the how's and whys of World War 1. My great grandparents and my grandparents were very representative of the characters in the book.

Displaced aristocracy, working class peasants, farmers and middle class professionals. They all had varying political and religious views and life experiences, which made for some heated discussions from time to time. They included a disaffected Bolshevik, an Austrian who fought in the Boar War and also served in World War 1 and lost family and friends. Each one had a decidedly different take on that history and also the outcomes after the armistice. I was confused to say the least.

I now "get it" and in such an entertaining manner. This book gives context to a really complicated world situation and there are lessons we could use today. It's just racy and romantic enough to keep an older teen interested, if they are learning about World War 1 in school. I can guarantee that studying that subject would be much easier.

John Lee's narration of the book is clear and easy to listen to. He brings life to the characters and is never flat or boring.

I listen to Audio books mostly while I gardening. I can tell you that my garden has never looked better, since I am reluctant to stop listening.

I'm looking forward to listening and reading the 2nd book in the trilogy.

Enjoyable history lesson !!

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A book, in dramatic fashion, unravelling history superbly better than any academic setting can ever hope to do!

Historical Fiction at its Best

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This is a must listen. It is easy a top 5 book that I have listened to.

Epic

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