The Century Trilogy by Ken Follett is a monumental achievement in historical fiction, an epic family saga spanning the entire 20th century. This sweeping series follows five interrelated families across three generations as they navigate the most turbulent and transformative period in human history.
Published between 2010 and 2014, the trilogy encompasses World War I, the Russian Revolution, World War II, the Cold War, and the civil rights movement. Through the interconnected lives of families from Wales, England, America, Germany, and Russia, Follett creates an intimate portrait of a century marked by war, revolution, and social transformation.
With over 3,000 pages of meticulously researched drama, the Century Trilogy has sold millions of copies worldwide and established itself as one of the great multi-generational historical epics of our time.
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| Author | Ken Follett |
| Number of Books | 3 books (complete) |
| First Book | Fall of Giants (2010) |
| Latest Book | Edge of Eternity (2014) |
| Setting | International, 1911-1989 |
| Genre | Historical Fiction, Family Saga |
Century Trilogy Books in Publication Order
Publication order is the recommended way to read the Century Trilogy. These books follow a strict chronological timeline across the 20th century, with each volume covering a distinct historical period and generation of the five families.
1. Fall of Giants (2010)
Setting: 1911-1924 (WWI and Russian Revolution)
Summary: The trilogy opens in 1911 on the day of King George V’s coronation. In the Welsh mining town of Aberowen, thirteen-year-old Billy Williams begins work in the coal mines, entering a world of brutal labor and class conflict. His sister Ethel works as a housekeeper for the aristocratic Fitzherbert family at their nearby estate.
Lady Maud Fitzherbert, defying her class and family, falls in love with Walter von Ulrich, a German diplomat and spy working at the German Embassy in London. In America, Gus Dewar, a law student rejected in love, finds an unexpected opportunity in Woodrow Wilson’s White House. In Russia, two orphaned brothers, Grigori and Lev Peshkov, see their plans to emigrate to America disrupted by war, conscription, and revolution.
As the tensions of 1914 erupt into the Great War, these families find their lives irrevocably intertwined. Billy Williams fights in the trenches of France, experiencing the horror of poison gas and futile charges against machine guns. Grigori Peshkov becomes swept up in the Bolshevik Revolution that will transform Russia. Ethel Williams navigates forbidden romance and fights for women’s suffrage. Walter von Ulrich struggles with his duty to Germany while falling in love with an Englishwoman.
Fall of Giants moves seamlessly from the glittering ballrooms of aristocratic London to the blood-soaked trenches of the Western Front, from the corridors of American power to the revolutionary streets of Petrograd. The novel concludes in the early 1920s, with the war having been concluded, empires having fallen, and a new world order beginning to emerge.
Major Historical Events: WWI, Russian Revolution, women’s suffrage movement, Treaty of Versailles
2. Winter of the World (2012)
Setting: 1933-1949 (Rise of Fascism and WWII)
Summary: The second book picks up in 1933 Berlin as Hitler consolidates power. The children of the first generation now take center stage. Eleven-year-old Carla von Ulrich, daughter of Lady Maud and Walter, struggles to understand the tensions tearing apart her German-British family as the Nazis strengthen their grip.
In England, Lloyd Williams, son of Ethel, becomes radicalized by the rise of fascism and joins the fight against Franco in the Spanish Civil War. At Cambridge, he falls for dazzling American socialite Daisy Peshkov, granddaughter of Lev, though Daisy has her eyes on aristocratic Boy Fitzherbert, who becomes a leading light in the British Union of Fascists.
In Russia, young Volodya Peshkov joins the Red Army’s intelligence service and witnesses Stalin’s purges. In America, Woody Dewar, son of Gus, grapples with pacifism and duty as Pearl Harbor draws America into the war. Meanwhile, his brother, Chuck Dewar, serves in the Pacific Theater.
The novel chronicles the rise of fascism, the Spanish Civil War, and the catastrophic global conflict of World War II. Characters experience the Blitz in London, the siege of Leningrad, D-Day, the liberation of concentration camps, and the atomic bombs that end the war. The book culminates in 1949 as the Cold War begins to freeze the world into two hostile camps.
Major Historical Events: Rise of Hitler and Stalin, Spanish Civil War, WWII (all major theaters), Holocaust, atomic bombs, beginning of the Cold War
3. Edge of Eternity (2014)
Setting: 1961-1989 (Cold War to Fall of Berlin Wall)
Summary: The final book brings the trilogy to a close, covering the last half of the 20th century and the third generation of these interconnected families. The novel opens in the 1960s, with the world divided between the communist East and the nuclear-armed West.
In East Germany, Rebecca Hoffmann, a teacher and daughter of Carla von Ulrich, discovers she has been spied on by the Stasi for years. Her act of defiance will have a lasting impact on her family for decades. In America, George Jakes, son of an interracial couple, joins Robert F. Kennedy’s Justice Department and becomes deeply involved in the civil rights movement. He and Verena Marquand, who works for Martin Luther King Jr., board a Greyhound bus in Washington to protest segregation, beginning a journey that will test their courage and love.
Cameron Dewar, grandson of Senator Gus Dewar, pursues espionage work during the height of Cold War tensions. In Moscow, Dimka Dvorkin becomes an aide to Nikita Khrushchev, navigating the treacherous politics of the Kremlin, while his twin sister, Tanya, pursues her own perilous path from Moscow to Cuba, Prague, and Warsaw.
The novel encompasses the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Kennedy assassination, the Civil Rights Act, Vietnam, Watergate, the Prague Spring, and the underground movements that would eventually bring down the Iron Curtain. The trilogy concludes with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, as characters witness the end of the Cold War and the dawn of a new era.
Major Historical Events: Berlin Wall construction, Cuban Missile Crisis, civil rights movement, Vietnam War, Prague Spring, Watergate, fall of the Berlin Wall
About the Century Trilogy
Series Overview
The Century Trilogy represents Ken Follett’s most ambitious project, a panoramic view of the entire 20th century through the intimate lens of family life. Unlike his Kingsbridge series, which spans centuries across England, the Century Trilogy adopts a global perspective, following families in five countries as they experience the century’s defining events.
Follett’s narrative technique interweaves multiple storylines across continents, cutting between perspectives to illustrate how the same historical events impact different people in various locations. A chapter might move from a Welsh coal mine to a German embassy to the Russian front, showing how personal decisions and historical forces intersect.
The series explores several major themes. Class conflict drives much of the early action, as working-class characters like Billy Williams and Ethel struggle against the privileges of the aristocratic Fitzherberts. The fight for women’s rights is a thread that runs through all three books, from the suffrage movement to reproductive freedom to equality in the workplace. The rise of totalitarianism, both fascist and communist, provides ongoing tension as characters must choose between conscience and survival.
Perhaps most powerfully, the trilogy examines how ordinary people navigate extraordinary times. These are not stories of presidents and generals (though such figures appear), but of miners, housekeepers, teachers, and activists whose lives are shaped by forces beyond their control, yet who still make choices that matter.
What Makes the Century Trilogy Special
Epic Scope: Spanning 78 years and five countries, the trilogy encompasses nearly every major event of the 20th century. From the trenches of WWI to the fall of the Berlin Wall, Follett brings history to life through character-driven narratives.
Multi-Generational Storytelling: Following three generations of five families creates enormous emotional investment. Readers who meet Billy Williams as a boy in 1911 will later know his son Lloyd, and then Lloyd’s children, creating a sense of continuity and legacy.
Meticulous Research: Follett spent years researching each era, consulting hundreds of sources to ensure historical accuracy. While characters and specific events are fictional, they exist within a framework of real history.
International Perspective: By following families in Wales, England, America, Germany, and Russia, Follett avoids a single-nation view of the 20th century. The trilogy illustrates how the same war appears differently from each side, highlighting how revolutions impact both those who instigate them and those who oppose them.
Accessible Historical Fiction: Despite the serious historical content, Follett’s prose is page-turning and accessible. He excels at making complex political situations understandable through the experiences of his characters.
Romantic Drama: Alongside the historical sweep, the trilogy includes compelling love stories. Forbidden romances that cross class lines, international boundaries, and political divides lend emotional resonance to the historical events.
Where to Start with the Century Trilogy
New to the Series?
Start here: Fall of Giants
The Century Trilogy must be read in publication order, beginning with Fall of Giants. The books form a continuous narrative where the children of one generation become the parents of the next. Starting later would mean missing crucial character introductions, historical context, and family relationships that develop across all three books.
Reading Commitment
The Century Trilogy is a substantial reading project. The three books total over 3,000 pages:
- Fall of Giants: 985 pages
- Winter of the World: 940 pages
- Edge of Eternity: 1,120 pages
Most readers report taking 3-6 months to read all three books at a comfortable pace. However, Follett’s engaging storytelling style means the pages move quickly despite the length.
Reading Tips
Use the family trees: Each book includes family trees showing the relationships between all the major characters. These are invaluable for keeping track of who’s related to whom, especially by the third generation.
Don’t worry about remembering everyone initially: Fall of Giants introduces many characters quickly. It’s normal to need a few chapters to sort out who’s who. The main characters become clear as the story progresses.
Pay attention to dates: Follett typically marks the passage of time with chapter headings or section breaks, noting the year. These help orient you in the historical timeline.
Embrace the multiple perspectives: The narrative cuts between many characters. This can feel fragmented at first, but creates a powerful mosaic effect showing how historical events ripple across the world.
About the Author: Ken Follett
Ken Follett is one of the world’s bestselling authors, with over 170 million books sold worldwide. Born in Cardiff, Wales, in 1949, Follett worked as a journalist before breaking through with the thriller Eye of the Needle in 1978.
Though he began his career writing contemporary thrillers, Follett found his greatest success with historical fiction, particularly The Pillars of the Earth (1989), which became a global phenomenon. The Century Trilogy represents his most ambitious historical project, requiring extensive research into five countries across nearly a century.
Follett is known for his meticulous research methods. For the Century Trilogy, he consulted historians, read extensively in primary and secondary sources, and visited key locations. He has said the 20th century appealed to him because “it’s the most dramatic and violent period in the history of the human race,” offering perfect material for epic storytelling.
He lives in Hertfordshire, England, with his wife, Barbara Follett, a former Member of Parliament. Between them, they have five children and six grandchildren.
More by Ken Follett:
- Kingsbridge Series (The Pillars of the Earth, etc.)
- A Column of Fire (Elizabethan England)
- The Key to Rebecca (WWII thriller)
- Complete Ken Follett Bibliography
Historical Context: The 20th Century
The Century Trilogy covers what many historians consider the most transformative period in human history. The 20th century saw more technological, social, and political change than any previous era, compressed into a few generations.
World War I (1914-1918) shattered the old European order, killing millions and destroying empires. The war introduced industrial-scale slaughter with machine guns, poison gas, and artillery barrages that could obliterate entire battalions. The Russian Revolution of 1917 created the world’s first communist state, an experiment that would shape the century.
The interwar period (1918-1939) was marked by economic upheaval, the rise of fascism in Germany and Italy, and the onset of the Great Depression. Women gained the right to vote in many countries, and social norms began shifting rapidly. The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) served as a precursor to the larger conflict to come.
World War II (1939-1945) was even more devastating than the first, killing an estimated 70-85 million people. The Holocaust revealed humanity’s capacity for systematic genocide. The atomic bombs dropped on Japan ushered in the nuclear age, creating weapons capable of destroying civilization itself.
The Cold War (1947-1991) divided the world between communist and capitalist blocs, with the constant threat of nuclear annihilation. The period was marked by numerous proxy wars, the space race, the civil rights movement in America, decolonization across Africa and Asia, and various social change movements.
Follett’s genius lies in showing how these massive historical forces affected ordinary people. His characters don’t just observe history; they live through it, making choices with imperfect information, trying to protect their families, fighting for their beliefs, and sometimes just trying to survive.
Learn more: Best WWII Historical Fiction
Similar Series You’ll Love
If you’re enjoying the Century Trilogy, these series offer similar appeal:
1. The Poldark Series by Winston Graham
Graham’s twelve-novel series follows the Poldark family in Cornwall from the 1780s through the 1820s. Like Follett, Graham interweaves multiple generations with historical events, though on a more regional scale. The series effectively portrays social change and class conflict spanning decades.
2. The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy
This nine-novel sequence follows the upper-middle-class Forsyte family through changing times in England from the 1880s to the 1920s. Galsworthy won the Nobel Prize for this series, which shares Follett’s interest in how families navigate social transformation across generations.
3. The Last Kingdom Series by Bernard Cornwell
While set in the Dark Ages rather than the 20th century, Cornwell’s thirteen-book series shares Follett’s gift for making history immediate and personal. Both authors excel at battle scenes, political intrigue, and creating protagonists who must navigate dangerous times.
4. The Asian Saga by James Clavell
Clavell’s six novels span the period from 1600 to 1979 in Asia, following various Western characters in Japan, Hong Kong, and Iran. Like Follett’s trilogy, the Asian Saga adopts a multi-generational, international approach to historical fiction, illustrating how East and West collide and transform one another.
More recommendations: Best Historical Fiction Series of All Time
Adaptations
Television Development
Fall of Giants has been in development for a television adaptation for over a decade. In 2014, ABC announced plans for a 10-hour limited series based on the first novel, with screenwriter Ann Peacock (The Chronicles of Narnia, The Dovekeepers) attached to write and executive produce. The project was to be produced by Sony Pictures Television with Michael De Luca (The Social Network) and Stephanie Germain (The Day After Tomorrow) as executive producers.
In 2023, it was announced that Peacock (NBCUniversal’s streaming service) was developing the adaptation, with acclaimed novelist William Boyd (Any Human Heart) attached to write the screenplay. The project remains in development as of 2024, with the structure and episode count still to be determined.
If successful, the plan has always been to adapt all three books in the trilogy, potentially creating a multi-season epic along the lines of Downton Abbey or The Crown. Given the international scope and large cast, the series would require substantial budget and ambition to do justice to Follett’s vision.
Challenges of Adaptation
The Century Trilogy presents significant challenges for adaptation. The novels feature dozens of major characters across five countries and multiple languages. The historical scope requires recreating settings from 1911 to 1989, including major battle sequences from both World War I and World War II. Unlike Follett’s Kingsbridge novels (which have been successfully adapted), the Century Trilogy’s sprawling international canvas makes it more difficult and expensive to bring to the screen.
However, the success of other epic historical series like The Crown, Downton Abbey, and Game of Thrones has shown that audiences have an appetite for large-scale, multi-generational storytelling. If properly funded and executed, a Century Trilogy adaptation could become a landmark television event.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many books are in the Century Trilogy?
There are 3 books in the Century Trilogy: Fall of Giants (2010), Winter of the World (2012), and Edge of Eternity (2014). The series is complete, with no additional books planned.
Do I need to read the Century Trilogy in order?
Yes, absolutely. The trilogy must be read in publication order, starting with Fall of Giants. The books follow a strict chronological timeline across the 20th century, with each generation building on the previous one. Characters introduced as children in one book become parents in the next. Starting out of order would be confusing and spoil earlier books.
What is the Century Trilogy about?
The Century Trilogy follows five interrelated families from Wales, England, America, Germany, and Russia through the entire 20th century. The series covers World War I, the Russian Revolution, the rise of fascism, World War II, the Cold War, and the fall of the Berlin Wall, illustrating how these monumental historical events impacted the lives of ordinary people across three generations.
Is the Century Trilogy historically accurate?
Yes, very much so. Ken Follett is known for meticulous historical research. While the main characters and their personal stories are fictional, they exist within an accurate historical framework. Real historical figures appear in the novels, and major events are depicted as they actually occurred. Follett spent years researching each era to ensure accuracy.
How long does it take to read the Century Trilogy?
The trilogy totals over 3,000 pages (Fall of Giants: 985 pages, Winter of the World: 940 pages, Edge of Eternity: 1,120 pages). Most readers report taking 3-6 months to complete all three books at a comfortable pace, although individual reading speeds vary. Each book can take 3-6 weeks, depending on the amount of time you dedicate to reading.
Is the Century Trilogy appropriate for young adults?
The trilogy is best suited for adult readers. The books contain mature themes, including war violence, sexual content, and historical atrocities (trench warfare, Holocaust, etc.). The complex political and historical content also requires a certain level of maturity to fully appreciate. Generally recommended for ages 16 and up, though many adult readers find the books challenging.
How does the Century Trilogy compare to the Kingsbridge series?
Both are epic multi-generational sagas, but they differ significantly. The Kingsbridge series focuses on one English town across centuries (medieval to modern), while the Century Trilogy follows multiple families across five countries in the 20th century. Kingsbridge is more focused on architecture, religion, and the development of one community. The Century Trilogy is more international, political, and war-focused. Both are excellent but offer different experiences.
Are the Century Trilogy books available on Kindle and audiobook?
Yes, all three books are available in print (hardcover and paperback), as ebooks (Kindle and other formats), and as audiobooks. The audiobooks are particularly well-produced, although their length (over 40 hours each) makes them a significant commitment.
Will there be a fourth book in the Century Trilogy?
No. Ken Follett has stated the trilogy is complete, ending with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. He chose to conclude there because it represents the end of the Cold War and a natural stopping point for the century’s great ideological conflicts. There are no plans for additional books.
Has the Century Trilogy been adapted for TV or film?
Fall of Giants has been in development for television adaptation since 2014, currently with Peacock (NBCUniversal) and screenwriter William Boyd attached. However, as of 2024, no adaptation has been produced. The project faces challenges due to its international scope, large cast, and budget requirements, but remains in active development.
Which book in the trilogy is best?
Reader opinions vary. Fall of Giants often gets praised for its epic scope and gripping WWI sequences. Winter of the World is frequently cited as the most emotionally powerful, particularly in its sections about WWII. Edge of Eternity offers a satisfying conclusion and explores fascinating Cold War history. Most fans recommend reading all three rather than choosing one.
Do I need to read the Kingsbridge series first?
No. The Century Trilogy and the Kingsbridge series are completely separate and can be read in any order. They share no characters or storylines. Many readers start with whichever series appeals to them more (medieval England vs. 20th-century international history).
How does Ken Follett research his historical novels?
Follett is known for exhaustive research. For the Century Trilogy, he consulted hundreds of books, interviewed historians, visited historical sites, and spent years immersing himself in each era. He reads widely in both primary sources (diaries, letters, and contemporary accounts) and secondary historical scholarship to ensure accuracy while crafting compelling fictional narratives.
Conclusion: Your Century Trilogy Reading Journey
The Century Trilogy stands as one of the most ambitious and successful works of historical fiction published in the 21st century. Ken Follett’s achievement in creating a coherent, engaging narrative spanning 78 years, five countries, and three generations is remarkable.
These books offer readers a chance to experience the 20th century from multiple perspectives, to understand how historical forces shaped individual lives, and to witness the courage, suffering, love, and resilience of people caught up in history’s greatest upheavals. From the coal mines of Wales to the corridors of the Kremlin, from the trenches of the Western Front to the streets of civil rights-era America, Follett brings history to vivid, immediate life.
Reading the Century Trilogy is a significant commitment. Over 3,000 pages require patience and dedication. However, readers consistently report that the experience is rewarding, even transformative. The trilogy offers not only entertainment but also genuine insight into the century that shaped our modern world. You’ll finish these books with a deeper understanding of how we arrived at this point and why the 20th century remains significant.
The characters become real people you care about deeply. You’ll worry about Billy Williams in the trenches, root for Ethel’s fight for equality, fear for the von Ulrichs as the Nazis rise, celebrate with Lloyd Williams as he fights fascism, and feel the tension as Dimka Dvorkin navigates the complexities of Cold War politics. By the time the Berlin Wall falls in the final pages, you’ll have lived through a century with these families.
Ready to begin? Begin with Fall of Giants and embark on an epic journey through the 20th century. You’ll experience humanity at its worst and its best, witness love across impossible divides, and understand why this turbulent century continues to shape our world today.