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Fall of Giants

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Fall of Giants

By: Ken Follett
Narrated by: Dan Stevens
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About this listen

Abridged edition, read by Dan Stevens (Legion, Downton Abbey)

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.

Genre Fiction Historical Political Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense War Fiction Russia Imperialism Soviet Union Royalty

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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 . . . while grand events and themes are at the core of the novel, it is the richness of the characters and the intertwining of their often disparate stories that steal the show’ Sunday Times
‘He’s pulled it off again with Fall of Giants: it’s classic Follett with the brewing cataclysm of war given a human angle’ Sunday Express
‘This is hi-octane storytelling all the more powerful because the story it tells is, mostly, true. Follett’s command of the vast forces he unleashes is as impressive as the battle strategies of his generals, and in many cases more so . . . overall Follett is masterly in conveying so much drama and historical information so vividly’ Scotsman
‘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’ The Times
‘An epic saga on a grand scale. Spiked with romance and intrigue . . . This involving historical saga is the perfect read for long winter evenings’ Choice
‘An extraordinary achievement’ A.N. Wilson, Reader’s Digest
‘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’ Sunday Business Post
All stars
Most relevant
Once again, Ken Follett has not disappointed!! This is an amazing story and well worth taking the time to listen to it - thanks.

Ken Follett - Fall of Giants

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Enjoy learning about a complex history. I much prefer this narration to the unabridged version.

excellent book and narration

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The history of the world through 5 families on different continents is just spellbinding . The research that has been undertaken is just mind blowing

The history intertwined with the fiction

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I was very disappointed that this was abridged. The best bits of the book were left out.

Fall of Giants

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This is obviously a good book, like all Ken Follet's work. I feel that with the extended historical saga he has found his metier. Like another reviewer I have to comment on the abridgement however. I was left wondering if I'd somehow missed a volume. All the scene setting had been done; all the characters had been introduced; the table was laid for the feast, but in the end the meal failed to satisfy. 'Please sir, can I have some more?'
I mustn't close without a comment on Dan Stevens narration, which was really excellent - his range of voices, accents, intonation and expression was extremely impressive and I will look out for his name when choosing other titles.

Fall Of Giants

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