Fall of Giants: Book One of the Century Trilogy
by Ken Follett, Historical Fiction (Released September, 2010)
Bottom Line: Read it.
Summary: Five families’ (one Russian, one Welsh, one British, one German, and one American) personal and professional lives are uprooted through World War I and the Russian Revolution.
My Thoughts: If you liked The Pillars of Earth and World Without End, you will love Fall of Giants. But, the topic and time period of Fall of Giants should appeal to an even broader audience. Follett combines historical accuracy with enticing characters and personal stories – making his books a fun way to learn history! I loved learning about the diplomatic dance between superpowers in the lead-up to WWI and seeing a variety of perspectives on the war (5 different countries, various political views, and different social classes). Focusing on the homefront enriches the characters and makes this far more than just a “war” book. At 1,000 pages, Fall of Giants is going on my Time to Kill List.