Fall of Giants
Century Trilogy, Book 1
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Narrated by:
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John Lee
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By:
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Ken Follett
About this listen
The first in Ken Follett's breathtaking Century Trilogy, Fall of Giants is a captivating novel 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.
©2010 Ken Follett (P)2010 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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Fall of Giants
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- By: Ken Follett
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 30 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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Ken Follett's World Without End was a global phenomenon, a work of grand historical sweep beloved by millions of readers and acclaimed by critics. Fall of Giants is his 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.
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Loved it and learned alot.
- By Louis on 10-19-10
By: Ken Follett
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I was really waiting for this book!
- By Firebolt on 09-20-20
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What did you do with John Lee?
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Please let this all be fiction.
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What A Writer
- By Michele Haines on 12-12-19
By: Wilbur Smith
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Fall of Giants
- Book One of the Century Trilogy
- By: Ken Follett
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 30 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ken Follett's World Without End was a global phenomenon, a work of grand historical sweep beloved by millions of readers and acclaimed by critics. Fall of Giants is his 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.
-
-
Loved it and learned alot.
- By Louis on 10-19-10
By: Ken Follett
-
The Evening and the Morning
- Kingsbridge, Book 4
- By: Ken Follett
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 24 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh in the west and the Vikings in the east. Those in power bend justice according to their will, regardless of ordinary people and often in conflict with the king. Without a clear rule of law, chaos reigns. In these turbulent times, three characters find their lives intertwined.
-
-
I was really waiting for this book!
- By Firebolt on 09-20-20
By: Ken Follett
-
When the Lion Feeds
- The Courtneys, Book 1
- By: Wilbur Smith
- Narrated by: Sean Barrett
- Length: 17 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is the 1870s, and twin brothers Sean and Garrick Courtney are born into the wilds of Natal. They could not be more different, and fate, war and the jealous schemes of a woman are to drive them even further apart. But as history unfolds, a continent is awakening. And on the horizon is the promise of fortune, adventure, destiny and love.... When the Lion Feeds is the best-selling novel that launched Wilbur Smith's stellar career and the first in the riveting saga of the Courtney brothers.
-
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What did you do with John Lee?
- By SAM on 04-03-19
By: Wilbur Smith
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I Am Pilgrim
- A Thriller
- By: Terry Hayes
- Narrated by: Christopher Ragland
- Length: 22 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
A breakneck race against time…and an implacable enemy. An anonymous young woman murdered in a run-down hotel, all identifying characteristics dissolved by acid. A father publicly beheaded in the blistering heat of a Saudi Arabian public square. A notorious Syrian biotech expert found eyeless in a Damascus junkyard. Smoldering human remains on a remote mountainside in Afghanistan. A flawless plot to commit an appalling crime against humanity. One path links them all, and only one man can make the journey. Pilgrim.
-
-
Please let this all be fiction.
- By B.J. on 08-08-14
By: Terry Hayes
-
Dead Before Dying
- By: Deon Meyer
- Narrated by: Simon Vance
- Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Story
Three men who have nothing in common are found murdered in Cape Town, and the string of vicious killings pushes the city toward panic. Captain Mat Joubert is left scrambling for answers in a case that might be his last chance to prove that his life's slow spiral will not pull him under.
-
-
South African mystery, very good.
- By Kathleen on 09-29-12
By: Deon Meyer
-
A Falcon Flies
- The Ballantyne Series, Book 1
- By: Wilbur Smith
- Narrated by: Elliot Chapman
- Length: 21 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A Falcon Flies is the first best-selling novel in Wilbur Smith's epic tale of Africa, The Ballantyne Novels. In search of a father they barely remember, Zouga and Dr Robyn Ballantyne board Mungo St John's magnificent clipper to speed them to Africa. But long before they sight that mighty continent, Robyn knows that she and Mungo will battle with all the fury of natural enemies - and love with all the desperation of those unable to evade the commands of fate.
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What A Writer
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By: Wilbur Smith
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What listeners say about Fall of Giants
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- asesores
- 02-11-18
Loved it!
It was worth all those hours.
Get the hole trilogy! I herd one next to the other 110 house latter I and ended up wanting more.
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- HS
- 06-24-22
John Leigh as always, is the best Narrator.
One of Follet's best historical page-turners. I knew very little about the causes of WW1 and was delighted to listen to this well-researched novel. I could hardly stop listening and waited for every chance to return to this novel.
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- Rev. Kate
- 11-27-11
Powerful work; exceptional & gripping adventure.
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
This audiobook is worth every cent and every second. I would very happily recommend this book to family and friends.A masterful piece.
What other book might you compare Fall of Giants to and why?
Ken Follett is an outstanding author. Yet, I find it very hard to compare one skilled writer's work with other skilled writer's work, even of the same genre, as their styles often differ quite dramatically... and so attempting to compare their work is a bit like debating which is the best type of friut.I can, however, state that there is no better wordsmith for his standard and style of work. The way he keeps your attention from start to finish, never under nor overstating life and it's bare,sometimes brutual, sometimes sensual, but always honest realities. He just weaves you into the lives of his characters and never lets you breath until he's finished.
Have you listened to any of John Lee’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I have not heard John Lee's performance before, but his reading style is personable and clever. His interpretation of humour is simple and real, and his ability to hold your utter attention in dramatic moments is highly skilled. Brilliant performance... and I will be pleased to listen to any of his other readings.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I certainly laughed at times. And, I was certainly provoked to deep consideration of incidents and experiences, astonishment for the intricate manipulations of the war machine of the early 20th century, disgust for the polarised standards of rights and responsibilities, and I was prompted to empathy,sadness and even tears for the distainful attitude of negligence for life.
Any additional comments?
Brilliant work. Exceptional story. Plot and networking to real events was outstanding. An utter pleasure that I was sad to finish. A clever, highly skilled work that will stay with listener for some time... Superb!!
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7 people found this helpful
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- patricia
- 03-11-13
Great book! I highly recommend it.
Any additional comments?
A great book and an exceptional story! The narrator does a great job, too. I couldn’t stop listening! A perfect combination of historical context and human character. Can’t wait to listen to its sequel “Winter of the World.”
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- Brian Ralph Suter
- 07-22-16
Excellent!
a superb book brilliantly read. most entertaining. I'm enticed to read the next in the series
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- Matteo
- 12-17-13
Great book, not incredibly exiting though
I loved the book because it helped me understand history by passing it thru the caracters stories. Its not an incredibly exiting book, and is not as good as Pillars of the Earth, but I loved reading it. its caracters as always display all sorts of emotions, and there are some sex scenes. If you like Ken Follet and history, you will like this book
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- Ella Widigson
- 10-06-18
Enchanting!
Really enchanting! The description of loosing ones virginity was so wrong though... Otherwise, perfect in every way!
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- Amazon Customer
- 02-27-21
very good story
Follett has once again written an excellent story. His storytelling skills are extraordinary. However, there are parts of the novel which are more of a history lesson than anything else. It's obvious Follett did tons of research and at times it seemed like he had to get all his discoveries into the story. That said it was good except for those history lesson portions. I am not sure how to feel about Fitz, I have a love hate relationship with him. I wanted him to die, but I wanted him to live. He is the most realistic character and even in our modern times there are still people like him. Lev is selfish beyond words and people like are here too. I won't go on about the other characters but those two hurt me the most. I feel sad for the Russians they swapped one bad situation for another and it still haunts them today. This novel reminded me that there is futility in the separation of people into religion, class and all the rest of it because we are all the same.
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- K. Wainwright
- 02-23-21
Great characters and narration
I really enjoyed this book and more ready to dive into his next book. The narrator is excellent!
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- Leo Saumure
- 04-17-18
fantastic book that taught me so much
Wanting to learn everything I missed in history class, this book was not only immersive in terms of its character development, but also helped me in terms of remembering history.
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