Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

People have been telling me to read this book for years!  Now that I'm studying WWI the time has finally arrived and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

I haven't read a ton of historical fiction, but this one is exemplary.  Most interesting, it's hard to tell if it's more fiction or more history.  The character's narratives don't just take place within the context of WWI, they actually effect it, sometimes playing decisive rolls.

For example, Walter von Ullrich, German diplomat, intelligence officer and soldier works directly with Lenin, bolstering his Bolshevik party into power over Russia and leading to its departure from the war.  Ullrich actually arranges Lenin's secret journey from Switzerland to Russia (in a "sealed train"!), then later delivers rubles to Russia to fund Lenin's cause.

It's wonderfully written, with all of the characteristics of great fiction and history.

I'm certain I'll read the next installment in the Century Trilogy, Winter of the World, set during WWII.

His Kingsbridge Trilogy, starting with Pillars of the Earth and set in the middle ages intrigues me as well.

I feel like I've discovered another treasure chest.