Historical fiction, telling the story of American, British, Russian and German main characters throughout World War 1.
I have a complicated relationship with Ken Follett. I love the concept: Learn about history, but follow a thrilling narrative as you do so. My problem, however: I find Follett's writing a little dull.
Still, he is a master of this genre and manages to turn 5 years of global events into a story that's easy to follow. That's no small feat.
I learned about the blind stumble of European elites into the conflict, the horrible massacres at the Somme, the Russian revolution and have now understood how the war played a huge part in shaping society at the time: Diminishing influence of the aristocratic class, bringing more workers into power and changing the role of women in society.
As I've now learned, this book is part 1 of the "century trilogy". Which is funny because I realized that I've read part 2 already (covering WW2). The one I've not yet read is part 3, set in the Cold War.
Historical fiction, telling the story of American, British, Russian and German main characters throughout World War 1.
I have a complicated relationship with Ken Follett. I love the concept: Learn about history, but follow a thrilling narrative as you do so. My problem, however: I find Follett's writing a little dull.
Still, he is a master of this genre and manages to turn 5 years of global events into a story that's easy to follow. That's no small feat.
I learned about the blind stumble of European elites into the conflict, the horrible massacres at the Somme, the Russian revolution and have now understood how the war played a huge part in shaping society at the time: Diminishing influence of the aristocratic class, bringing more workers into power and changing the role of women in society.
As I've now learned, this book is part 1 of the "century trilogy". Which is funny because I realized that I've read part 2 already (covering WW2). The one I've not yet read is part 3, set in the Cold War.