The first in "The Century" trilogy, following five families through the world-shaking dramas of the First World War, the Russian Revolution and the struggle for votes for women. It is 1911, and the Williams, a Welsh coal-mining family, are linked by romance and enmity to the aristocratic, coal-mine owners, the Fitzherberts. In a plot of unfolding drama and intrigue, their destinies are tied with an ambitious young aide to President Woodrow Wilson and two orphaned Russian brothers. The HB has remained in the Top Ten bestseller lists since publication. Ken Follett was twenty-seven when he wrote EYE OF THE NEEDLE, an award-winning thriller that became an international bestseller. After writing several more successful thrillers he surprised everyone with THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH, about the building of a cathedral in the Middle Ages, which continues to captivate millions of readers all over the world. His last book was the long-awaited sequel, WORLD WITHOUT END, a number one bestseller in the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.