Fall of Giants (The Century Trilogy, 1)

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After dinner, the talk is of the possibility of war between Germany and Britain. Gus Dewar brings up many reasons for conflict between the two nations. Walter von Ulrich points out that Britain and Germany are the only major European countries not seeking territorial expansion. In future volumes of The Century Trilogy, subsequent generations of the same families will travel through the great events of the rest of the twentieth century, changing themselves-and the century itself. With passion and the hand of a master, Follett brings us into a world we thought we knew, but now will never seem the same again. Ethel receives a coded letter from Billy telling her that he is in Russia with Fitz. Ethel and Bernie argue about the Bolsheviks, Ethel fearing that Lenin could become as big a tyrant as the tsar. Bernie is the leading Labour candidate from Aldgate, but Ethel has been nominated by the women. She is considering it, which angers Bernie. As Maud worries about Walter’s fate, Lord Remarc tells her that the Germans have agreed to an armistice. Ken’s first major success came with the publication of Eye of the Needle in 1978. A World War II thriller set in England, this book earned him the 1979 Edgar Award for Best Novel from the Mystery Writers of America. It remains one of Ken’s most popular books. Grigori’s joy is tempered when he sees that Pinsky, his nemesis, has joined the Revolution. Katerina gives birth to a girl while Grigori is busy fighting; she sent a message to him that she was giving birth, but he ignored it. She is bitter that she had to have the baby with the help of the midwife they both hated.

Gus and Rosa return to America with President Wilson and then go up to Buffalo so that Rosa may be introduced to Gus’s parents. Mrs. Dewar has always been critical of women in whom Gus has been interested, so he is very nervous about what her reaction to Rosa will be. Ken Follett is one of the world’s most successful authors. Over 170 million copies of the 36 books he has written have been sold in over 80 countries and in 33 languages. Gus and Rosa both go with Wilson on his whistle-stop campaign around the country. After three weeks of incessant speaking, Wilson’s health breaks down and the tour is cancelled. In late July of 1914, the Balkans are still simmering, so Maud and Walter’s engagement is still secret. Walter attends a meeting with Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey, who proposes a conference with Britain, Germany, Italy, and France as mediators. Walter is optimistic, but his father thinks this is a plan to drive a wedge between Germany and Austria.It is June of 1916 and Billy Williams is going to war. For the last year he was in training with the other men of Aberowen, but now there is a need for more soldiers as there is to be a big push by the British army. Billy’s father makes a feeble attempt to make peace with his son, knowing that it is unlikely he will return to Aberowen. Billy Williams is court-martialed for revealing military secrets. Billy questions the legality of the court just as he questions the legality of the military operation in Russia, which he accuses Fitz of making in his own personal financial interest to regain Andre’s property for himself and his son. Billy is found guilty and sentenced to ten years of penal servitude. Maud goes to Paris, having received no reply from Walter. She talks with Lord Remarc about war reparations, which are so excessive that Germany will never be able to repay them. This is the plan: to keep Germany subjected to the conquering nations.

The book is redeemed to an extent by some great descriptions, the delivery of casulty telegrams being one good scene. Maud runs a newspaper supporting better treatment of the dependents of servicemen; Ethel Williams is the manager. Together they have both ends of the social spectrum covered. They confront the woman in charge of distributing the “separation allowances” to wives of soldiers. She is withholding the money from women whom she feels are not morally fit. Maud is arrested when she refuses to leave.Do you enjoy reading epic novels such as this one? What makes them so appealing to readers, in your opinion? At dinner, Gus asks Mr. Hellman’s permission to marry his daughter, which he gladly gives. When Gus proposes to Rosa and presents her with an engagement ring, Mrs. Dewar begins to cry. In June 1915, the passenger ship Lusitania is torpedoed and sunk, killing many innocent people, including Americans. Although the public and the President are committed to neutrality, the United States moves closer to war. Gus Dewar, in his hometown of Buffalo for the summer, runs into Olga, a member of the Vyalov family. He becomes interested in her and wants to become better acquainted with her.

When Grigori Peshkov is called up to the army, his supervisor manages to get him a reprieve since his labor is needed on the home front. However, his clash with Police Officer Pinsky in his rescue of Katerina leads Pinsky to force him to join up anyway.Lev’s marriage to Olga has taken a turn for the worse. She thinks he is “low-class,” but he reminds her that he used to be the chauffeur. He hires Marga as an entertainer and soon begins an affair with her. Vyalov, Lev’s father-in-law, catches them “in the act” and fires Marga and punches her. He transfers Lev to the management of a foundry. Lev objects, but he is terrified of Vyalov. Lena, Lev’s mother-in-law, is in love with him and constantly flirts with him. Lev loves only his daughter, Daisy. Grigori tries to use his power as a member of the Central Committee to release a friend falsely accused of treason, but he sees that the brutality of the tsars has returned in the guise of the Bolsheviks. The war is going badly for the Allies, and French soldiers are becoming mutinous. Russia is an unknown quantity as the government remains unsettled since the revolution. Bea receives news that her brother Andrei has been wounded, his arm amputated. Walter finds himself attracted to Monika von der Helbard despite his marriage to Maud. He and Monika discuss the new Russian government’s announcement that they will continue to fight. Despite his own attraction and her obvious interest in him, Walter keeps Monika at arm’s length, even though he knows that her feelings are hurt by his distance. Talk about the historical figures that appear throughout Fall of Giants, such as Woodrow Wilson, King George V, Vladimir Lenin, and others. What did you think of Ken Follett's depiction of them? Do you like seeing notable people such as these come alive in fiction, or do you prefer reading about them in a strictly historical context?