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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 War Russia Fiction Imperialism Exciting Soviet Union Royalty Socialism

Continue the series

Winter of the World cover art
Winter of the World By: Ken Follett

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
Gripping novel which kept me hooked! I think this has helped me understand the causes and the length of World War 1 more than any history lesson ever did at school. I really hope Ken Follett follows it up with a sequel as the characters were so realistic and would love to know how their lives evolve....maybe during World War 2? Would recommend unreservedly!

Brilliant

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A fantastic view of the political and emotional battles in the early 20th Century. Before reading this book if someone had asked me why the First World War was fought, I would have answered "something about an assassination of an Austrian Arch Duke". Now I know the reality, and having always found history books boring, this is brilliant. The characters are wonderfully interwoven with real historical people, that brings this very relevant story to life.

Inspirational

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Mr Follett has done it again, a brilliant mixture of facts and fiction, believable characters and an exciting stroyline. I will admit that I did struggle at the beginning, the narrator spoke rather fast and I had to get used to the different accents pretty quickly to be able to keep up but once I did I couldn't stop listening. I am an avid reader and I will read the book as well... yes, it's that good!

An absolute must

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Ken Follet at his best, well written with fantastic plot and great characters. I cant wait for his next block buster.

Fall of Giants

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Great narrator. Enjoyed learning about a period in history not covered when I was growing up. Ken Follett writes well. I have enjoyed all his historical novels and look forward to the next.

Why do I need a heading?????

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