Ken Follett & John Lee Talk About Fall of Giants

By: Ken Follett, John Lee

Narrated by: Diana Dapito

Ken Follett and John Lee, the author and narrator of Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, are back together again for Fall of Giants, the first in The Century Trilogy. They recently chatted with Audible editor Diana Dapito about the new epic book, and what it was like to write and record it.

Fall of Giants is Ken Follett's 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.

Thirteen-year-old Billy Williams enters a man's world in the Welsh mining pits…. Gus Dewar, an American law student rejected in love, finds a surprising new career in Woodrow Wilson's White House…. Two orphaned Russian brothers, Grigori and Lev Peshkov, embark on radically different paths half a world apart when their plan to emigrate to America falls afoul of war, conscription, and revolution…. Billy's sister, Ethel, a housekeeper for the aristocratic Fitzherberts, takes a fateful step above her station, while Lady Maud Fitzherbert herself crosses deep into forbidden territory when she falls in love with Walter von Ulrich, a spy at the German embassy in London….

These characters and many others find their lives inextricably entangled as, in a saga of unfolding drama and intriguing complexity, Fall of Giants moves seamlessly from Washington to St. Petersburg, from the dirt and danger of a coal mine to the glittering chandeliers of a palace, from the corridors of power to the bedrooms of the mighty. As always with Ken Follett, the historical background is brilliantly researched and rendered, the action fast-moving, the characters rich in nuance and emotion. It is destined to be a new classic.

Listen to Fall of Giants.©2010 Kevin Follett (P)2010 Penguin Audio

Delightful

Anyone who reads this book or even enjoys Ken Follett or John Lee should listen to this delightful interview!

History brought to life

This book follows several families throughout the time preceding and during WWI. The character development is excellent. While there are some slower sections, the combined storyline was well laid out and executed. I learned more detail about how life may have been during this time than expected. I enjoy Follett's books. I am a huge fan of James A. Michener, and Follett's Fall of Giants and Pillars of the Earth remind me of his works. I recommend the book, and despite taking months to complete, I truly enjoyed it all!

DECENT LISTEN

Ken Follett confirmed he was a bit full of himself in this interview. Who doesn't love John Lee's voice. It was interesting to hear about how audio books are produced. John Lee just nails it every time as a narrator and I hope he continues to get hired on with the best selling books. I'm finding other narrators whom I really enjoy on Audible but a few will continue to hold their place in Top 10 lists of the Best!

Thanks, Audible!

The creative process is as fascinating to me as the creation itself, so I really appreciate interviews like this. It was interesting to learn how the writer and narrator each prepared the book for the reader/ listener.

I tend to gauge all male voice actors/narrators by "the John Lee Standard." He brings stories to life. I wasn't surprised to learn that in addition to his natural talent, he'd grown up in a multicultural area.

As for Ken Follett, there simply aren't enough adjectives to describe the excellence of his writing. He is awesomely talented and book-lovers all over the world have reaped the benefits of his gifts.

interesting interview!

I find John Lee's readings of Ken Follett's books riveting! He is one of the best readers, and a good reader makes all the difference, in my view, between a great audiobook all around and a perfectly good book ruined by the reading. This interview gives insights into how he prepares and records. Ken Follett also tells about his future writing plans. Definitely worth the free listen.

Amazing interaction between these two.

Would you consider the audio edition of Ken Follett & John Lee Talk About Fall of Giants to be better than the print version?

I love hearing these two me interact about the creation of their artistic work. Knew why I had so enjoy listening to other work by this performer and reading the Pillars book.

What other book might you compare Ken Follett & John Lee Talk About Fall of Giants to and why?

Gone with the Wind

Got me excited to read Fall of Giants

Loved listening to the author, first interview I had heard. Im a great fan of his work, one of my all time favorite authors. (along with George R.R. Martin!)

WWI a rich and entertaining history lesson

I throughly enjoyed the characters' development that was creatively woven into history. The story is awesome and the reader brings each character's unique personality to life.

Love John Lee

John Lee is my favorite narrator. Ken Follett is one of my favorite authors. I was pretty surprised that Ken was completely unfamiliar with John's work. Ken, take some time and listen to the man that brings your words to life!!!! I can't even begin to imagine Pillars or WWE without John Lee. Wow

Short but Big insight into the Writing of the Book

When I listened to Fall of Giants, I remember thinking that Ken Follett had definitely mastered some technique and grown as a writer. This was interesting to hear how he wrote this massive and great book.