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Fall of Giants

The groundbreaking novel from the number one bestseller

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Fall of Giants

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

The first in Ken Follett's breathtaking Century Trilogy, Fall of Giants is a captivating tale that follows five families through the world-shaking dramas of the First World War, the Russian Revolution, and the struggle for votes for women.

A World in Chaos
1911, a thirteen-year-old boy, Billy Williams, begins working down the mines as George V is crowned king. The escalating arms race between the empire nations will put not only the king but this young boy in grave danger.

A Terrible War
Billy’s family is inextricably linked with the Fitzherberts, the aristocratic owners of the coal mine where he works. And when Maud Fitzherbert falls in love with Walter von Ulrich, a spy at the German embassy in London, their destiny also becomes entangled with that of Gus Dewar, an ambitious young aide to Woodrow Wilson, and two orphaned Russian brothers whose plan to emigrate to America falls foul of conscription, revolution and imminent war.

A Revolution That Will Change Everything
When Russia convulses in bloody revolution and the Great War unfolds, the five families’ futures are entwined forever, love bringing them closer even as conflict takes them further apart. What seeds will be sown for further tragedy in the twentieth century and what role will each play in what is to come?

Continue the captivating Century Trilogy with Winter of the World and Edge of Eternity.

20th Century Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Political Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense World War I

Critic Reviews

Few works set out with such a grand concept as Ken Follett’s new Century trilogy, but part one suggests that the series will be one of the literary masterpieces of our time
He’s pulled it off again with Fall of Giants: it’s classic Follett with the brewing cataclysm of war given a human angle
Follett is masterly in conveying so much drama and historical information so vividly
The master storyteller Ken Follett knits together British, American, German and Russian points of view from the start to the end of the First World War into a fascinating and remarkably fertile tapestry of society and politics
An epic saga on a grand scale. Spiked with romance and intrigue . . . This involving historical saga is the perfect read for long winter evenings
An extraordinary achievement
Follett has managed to write an accessible and fascinating page turner that leaves the reader wanting more, at the same time as staying true to history
All stars
Most relevant
Truly fabulous! Characters. Plot. Detail. Follett creates a world you can almost feel! From start to finish an excellent book!

Bloody amazing!

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Julia Clegg

Thank you for enlightening me about the history of the first WW. I now have a greater understanding of current events. I also loved every minute of this book.

Brilliant

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Ken Follett weaves these magical tales. Entrancing to listen to!
I was disappointed in the quality of this download. Was it my wifi or a random effect but the audio skipped and jumped whether I was listening on headphones, on bluetooth the car or out loud.
It diminished the powerful story-line.
That said, I can't wait to listen to the next part of this trilogy.

Ripping yarn!

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If you could sum up Fall of Giants in three words, what would they be?

An historical novel

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

The last page was memorable, amongst so many memorable parts. It was a fitting way to finish the book.












Which scene did you most enjoy?

When Billy went down the mine for his first day, and how he managed to triumph.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The battles of the sexes, the battles of the classes, the battles of the world.

Any additional comments?

Another wonderfully researched and written book, and superbly narrated again by John Lee.

Another great education and enjoyable read

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Well written and narrated, a good storey waving together all the different elements of the path to war and the war itself.

Excellent historical drama

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