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Melissa Rochelle's Reviews > Fall of Giants
Fall of Giants (The Century Trilogy, #1)
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Melissa Rochelle's review
bookshelves: historical-fiction
Sep 14, 2010
bookshelves: historical-fiction
Read 2 times. Last read October 1, 2010.
One of the early reviews I read stated that this book lacked one of Follett's infamous villains. I disagree. The ultimate villain in this enormous book is clearly war and perhaps the arrogance of world leaders.
I've always had a difficult time understanding the why surrounding World War 1 and this book helps put it in perspective (even if it is fiction). I remember learning in history class that the US got involved because the Germans torpedoed the Lusitania. And it did play a part, but that happened in 1915 and the US didn't declare war on Germany until late-1917/early-1918. I STILL don't understand why Germany got all the blame...wasn't it the Austria-Hungary Empire that started the war for NOT backing down to a fight with Serbia?! Obviously, WW1 was fought because a bunch of arrogant world leaders didn't want to look weak. Looking back, they all look like spineless jerks that killed millions of people because they wanted to "rule the world". By destroying the German economic system after all the fighting was done, they helped Hitler gain power and kill millions more in WW2. Way to go early-20th century world leaders...thanks for all the memories.
I really enjoyed this book and think it's worth it for everyone to read! While the beginning was a little slow (primarily because of all the character introduction required), it picked up speed and was difficult to put down (despite how heavy it was)!
If you liked this, try John Jakes' North and South trilogy. I really think that Fall of Giants is for the 20th century what North and South was for the Civil War.
Review of Book 2: Winter of the World
I've always had a difficult time understanding the why surrounding World War 1 and this book helps put it in perspective (even if it is fiction). I remember learning in history class that the US got involved because the Germans torpedoed the Lusitania. And it did play a part, but that happened in 1915 and the US didn't declare war on Germany until late-1917/early-1918. I STILL don't understand why Germany got all the blame...wasn't it the Austria-Hungary Empire that started the war for NOT backing down to a fight with Serbia?! Obviously, WW1 was fought because a bunch of arrogant world leaders didn't want to look weak. Looking back, they all look like spineless jerks that killed millions of people because they wanted to "rule the world". By destroying the German economic system after all the fighting was done, they helped Hitler gain power and kill millions more in WW2. Way to go early-20th century world leaders...thanks for all the memories.
I really enjoyed this book and think it's worth it for everyone to read! While the beginning was a little slow (primarily because of all the character introduction required), it picked up speed and was difficult to put down (despite how heavy it was)!
If you liked this, try John Jakes' North and South trilogy. I really think that Fall of Giants is for the 20th century what North and South was for the Civil War.
Review of Book 2: Winter of the World
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Reading Progress
September 14, 2010
– Shelved
October 1, 2010
–
Started Reading
October 1, 2010
–
Finished Reading
October 20, 2010
–
97.46%
"almost to the end and i'm bummed that the next in the series isn't going to be finished until 2012!"
page
960
December 20, 2011
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
August 27, 2012
–
Started Reading
(Audible Audio Edition)
August 27, 2012
– Shelved as:
audiobook
(Audible Audio Edition)
August 27, 2012
– Shelved
(Audible Audio Edition)
September 18, 2012
–
Finished Reading
(Audible Audio Edition)
September 19, 2012
– Shelved as:
read-2012
(Audible Audio Edition)
September 19, 2012
– Shelved as:
audible
(Audible Audio Edition)
September 19, 2012
– Shelved as:
historical-f...
(Audible Audio Edition)
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Carrie
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rated it 4 stars
Jan 29, 2011 01:09PM
I've just started this one, and I have to agree with you, all the character introductions are slowing me down. It's hard to keep everybody straight at first! I'm glad to hear a positive review though. It makes me more enthusiastic about getting through the first few chapters.
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I am reading this book and until now I totally agree with your review.
I too saw a parallel to the North and the South trilogy; interesting that you too made the same connection.
I visited the WWI museum in France last year and was struck by something on one of the displays - it stated that there was no real pressing reason for any nation to go to war in 1914. It was a war that could and should have been avoided. If it had there would probably not have been a WWII either (at least with Germany). Sad to think about considering the untold suffering they caused.
Great review. I learned a lot more about the causes of WWI from this book also. Also a big fan of jakes' north and south trilogy. Both are such great "edutainment"
I am a huge fan of John Jakes. I had read all of his books when someone turned me on to Ken Follett. So far I am loving Follett as well!
I am liking the 2nd book in the trilogy a lot more. Are you reading that one now?
Meg wrote: "I am liking the 2nd book in the trilogy a lot more. Are you reading that one now?"I've read the second and I really liked it, but I was disappointed because I thought it would cover more of the Cold War. It left me wondering how much of the remaining fifty years he'll actually get to in the next book!
im having a hard time getting into this book (part 1). should i power through the first 100 pages? i love his other books but can't seem to get out of the first 4 chapters.
Power through it is getting better and better
Very good synthesis of World War I. I also felt if it had not been fought we would have not had WWII. Such a travesty and waste of so many lives.
This is my reaction to this book, and I am currently only on p 326! There is so much that could have been done to stop this senseless war. The villain is definitely the leaders who thoughtlessly stampeded into this. And yes, Austria made the first big move toward WWI.
And Fitz is the Lord High Putzicutioner.
Gotta check north and south triology while i wait for the 3rd book in this series. thank u
I love books that make me want to re- learn the history. Your review is so correct! The aristocracy was so inept and selfish all over Europe that so many people lost their lives. I don't understand the negative reviews of this book. I read this over 3 days. I could not put it down.
The last book of the trilogy is due in September.
Fitz is the villain, though not follets usual super villain. But Fitz is the one that gets bested by his heroes, William Williams and Eth Leckwith time and time again. The end is follets way of showing Eth and labour won, Fitz and priveledged aristocracy lost.
Fitz is the villain, though not follets usual super villain. But Fitz is the one that gets bested by his heroes, William Williams and Eth Leckwith time and time again. The end is follets way of showing Eth and labour won, Fitz and priveledged aristocracy lost.
Just started this book and agree with what you stated. I also don't think there is ever a reason for war so hopefully humans are realizing this finally! Great review.
I couldn't agree more with your review. I'm about to finish Edge of Eternity, and I'm already sad for getting to the end of these families stories.
I couldn't agree more with your review. I'm about to finish Edge of Eternity, and I'm already sad for getting to the end of these families stories.
I so agree with your review. I appreciate how Mr. Follett develops his characters and weaves them together with historical facts and context. I find Fitz’s character to be a great example of his ability to show how people become who they are through there familial, cultural and national influences and their response to them.I, too, leave this book with a more solid understanding of the circumstances surrounding The start of WW I. Truly a picture of world leaders and influencers playing a game of chess with real people, hoping to come out with a personal win.
If you're interested in the events that led to the war then The Guns of August is an excellent book to read. It chronicles the events leading up to the war and the first month of the war before it bogged down into stalemate.
Your understanding of the causes of the war are well off. A conflict between Austria and Serbia wouldn't have been a local limited conflict. It was the fact that Germany strongly encouraged the Austro-Hungarians to go after Serbia, inspite of Russia's insistent that Russia would declare war of them both, that sparked the mass global war. I would recommend the guns of August for a good account of the causes and more.
Een heerlijke geschiedenisles, sappig verteld en boeiend. Ik leerde dat aftrap vd de 1e WO zuivere willekeur is geweest van hoge heren. Hopeloos onnodig. Gauw weer verder lezen want het is moeilijk stoppen met dit verhaal. In
Ankie wrote: "Een heerlijke geschiedenisles, sappig verteld en boeiend. Ik leerde dat aftrap vd de 1e WO zuivere willekeur is geweest van hoge heren. Hopeloos onnodig. Gauw weer verder lezen want het is moeilijk..."agreed! Follett makes history interesting!
Gavin wrote: "Your understanding of the causes of the war are well off. A conflict between Austria and Serbia wouldn't have been a local limited conflict. It was the fact that Germany strongly encouraged the Aus..."Thanks! I'll definitely take a look at Guns of August. But I still stand by the arrogance of world "leaders" as the start of the war -- in fact, I would blame the arrogance of world leaders for most of the globe's problems. :-/
I would also say that War and its devastation is indeed the "villain".It amazes me the mindsets of Leaders of many Countries re: War, how they view and discuss the reasons and the benefits.
I a! Starting to wonder as I read this, the "reasons" leading toWars...what are really the reasons? Not what is Tod to us.
Follett had me at “Pillars of the Earth”. I haven’t picked up a Ken Follett in a while and “Fall of Giants” doesn’t disappoint.
War is started because Leaders will Not take the exhaustive time to reach that plateau, that which they can all accept. Instead we kill innocent peoples that have nothing to with the talks. Egos Win. innocents Die.
