Fall ​of Giants

Ken Follett - A ​megfagyott világ
A ​VÉRES ÉS GYÖNYÖRŰ HUSZADIK SZÁZAD TÖRTÉNETE ÚGY, AHOGY AZT CSAK KEN FOLLETT TUDJA ELMESÉLNI. A megfagyott világ ott veszi fel a történet fonalát, ahol az 1. kötet abbamaradt: az öt – amerikai, német, orosz, angol és walesi – család egymásba fonódott életét ismerhetjük meg a Harmadik Birodalom felemelkedésével kezdődő, majd a spanyol polgárháborúval és a második világháború nagyszabású drámáival folytatódó, az amerikai és az orosz atombombák felrobbantásáig tartó időszakban. Vagyis az 1930-as évek elejétől 1946-ig. A német apától és angol anyától született Carla von Ulrich egyszeriben úgy érzi, maga alá temeti a náci árhullám; óriási bátorságról tanúskodó és szomorú következményekkel járó tettre szánja el magát… Woody és Chuck Dewar, a titkokat rejtegető két amerikai fivér is ki akarja venni részét a fasizmus elleni harcban, egyikük Washingtonban, a másikuk pedig a Csendes-óceán véráztatta dzsungeljeiben… Lloyd Williams, az angol diák a spanyol polgárháború tűzkeresztségében eszmél rá, hogy a kommunizmus ellen ugyanolyan elszántan kell harcolnia, mint a fasizmus ellen… Daisy Peshkovot, az Amerikában élő milliomoslányt kizárólag a népszerűség és az élvezetek hajszolása érdekli, amíg a háború meg nem változtatja az életét, nem is egyszer, hanem kétszer is, miközben unokabátyja, Vologya olyan pozíciót harcol ki magának a szovjet hírszerzésen belül, amely az háború kimenetelére hatással lesz. A főszereplők élete kibogozhatatlanul összekuszálódik, miközben élményeiken keresztül kirajzolódnak a 20. század arculatát meghatározó kataklizmák. A történet a gazdagok dolgozószobájától a vérzivataros, füst borította csataterekig mindenütt egymásba gabalyodik, és az olvasó egyre bonyolultabb drámák tanúja lesz. Ahogyan azt Ken Follettnél már megszoktuk, a történelmi háttér briliáns bemutatása alapos kutatásokon alapul, a cselekmény gyors sodrású. Az szerző szenvedéllyel és mesteri kézzel vezet el bennünket egy olyan világba, amelyről azt hittük, jól ismerjük, ám amely a könyv elolvasása után már sohasem fog a régi színben feltűnni. A 2. kötet, A megfagyott világ a Párizs környéki békékkel kezdődik, és az amerikai és a szovjet atombomba feltalálásáig tart, szereplői az 1. rész hőseinek gyermekei.

Ken Follett - Winter ​of the World
Ken ​Follett’s Fall of Giants, the first novel in his extraordinary new historical epic, The Century Trilogy, was an international sensation, acclaimed as “sweeping and fascinating, a book that will consume you for days or weeks” (USA Today) and “grippingly told and readable to the end” (The New York Times Book Review). “If the next two volumes are as lively and entertaining as Fall of Giants,” said The Washington Post, “they should be well worth waiting for.” Winter of the World picks up right where the first book left off, as its five interrelated families—American, German, Russian, English, Welsh—enter a time of enormous social, political, and economic turmoil, beginning with the rise of the Third Reich, through the Spanish Civil War and the great dramas of World War II, up to the explosions of the American and Soviet atomic bombs. Carla von Ulrich, born of German and English parents, finds her life engulfed by the Nazi tide until she commits a deed of great courage and heartbreak. . . . American brothers Woody and Chuck Dewar, each with a secret, take separate paths to momentous events, one in Washington, the other in the bloody jungles of the Pacific. . . . English student Lloyd Williams discovers in the crucible of the Spanish Civil War that he must fight Communism just as hard as Fascism. . . . Daisy Peshkov, a driven American social climber, cares only for popularity and the fast set, until the war transforms her life, not just once but twice, while her cousin Volodya carves out a position in Soviet intelligence that will affect not only this war—but the war to come. These characters and many others find their lives inextricably entangled as their experiences illuminate the cataclysms that marked the century. From the drawing rooms of the rich to the blood and smoke of battle, their lives intertwine, propelling the reader into dramas of ever-increasing complexity. As always with Ken Follett, the historical background is brilliantly researched and rendered, the action fast-moving, the characters rich in nuance and emotion. With passion and the hand of a master, he brings us into a world we thought we knew, but now will never seem the same again.

Ken Follett - Edge ​of Eternity
EDGE ​OF ETERNITY is the sweeping, passionate conclusion to Ken Follett’s extraordinary historical epic, The Century Trilogy. Throughout these books, Follett has followed the fortunes of five intertwined families – American, German, Russian, English, and Welsh – as they make their way through the twentieth century. Now they come to one of the most tumultuous eras of all: the enormous social, political, and economic turmoil of the 1960s through the 1980s, from civil rights, assassinations, mass political movements and Vietnam to the Berlin Wall, the Cuban Missile Crisis, presidential impeachment, revolution – and rock and roll. East German teacher Rebecca Hoffman discovers she’s been spied on by the Stasi for years and commits an impulsive act that will affect her family for the rest of their lives.…George Jakes, the child of a mixed-race couple, bypasses a corporate law career to join Robert F. Kennedy’s Justice Department, and finds himself in the middle not only of the seminal events of the civil rights battle, but a much more personal battle of his own.…Cameron Dewar, the grandson of a senator, jumps at the chance to do some official and unofficial espionage for a cause he believes in, only to discover that the world is a much more dangerous place than he’d imagined.…Dimka Dvorkin, a young aide to Nikita Khrushchev, becomes a prime agent both for good and for ill as the United States and the Soviet Union race to the brink of nuclear war, while his twin sister, Tania, carves out a role that will take her from Moscow to Cuba to Prague to Warsaw – and into history. As always with Follett, the historical background is brilliantly researched and rendered, the action fast-moving, the characters rich in nuance and emotion. With the hand of a master, he brings us into a world we thought we knew but now will never seem the same again.

Ken Follett - Ken Follett - Az ​örökkévalóság küszöbén
A ​VÉRES ÉS GYÖNYÖRŰ HUSZADIK SZÁZAD TÖRTÉNETE ÚGY, AHOGY AZT CSAK KEN FOLLETT TUDJA ELMESÉLNI Az Évszázad-trilógia öt család – egy amerikai, egy angol, egy walesi, egy német és egy orosz – történetét mutatja be a 20. században. A harmadik kötet a hidegháború, az 1960-as és az 1980-as évek közötti időszak hatalmas szociális, politikai és gazdasági változásait mutatja be: a polgárjogi mozgalmakat az USA-ban, a politikai gyilkosságokat, a vietnami háború elleni tiltakozásokat, a berlini fal felhúzását és lebontását, az atomcsendegyezményt, a gorbacsovi peresztrojkát és természetesen a rock and roll és a beat nemzedékét. Rebecca Hoffmann, a Kelet-Berlinben élő Von Ulrich család adoptált gyermeke rájön, hogy egy Stasi-ügynökhöz ment feleségül. A férfinak az volt a feladata, hogy a nagypolgári családot figyelje. Csodával határos módon az asszonynak sikerül átszöknie a falon, és Hamburgban kezd új életet… George Jakes, a félvér jogász Robert F. Kennedy csapatához kerül az Igazságügyi Minisztériumba, és belecsöppen a polgárjogi mozgalmak kellős közepébe… Cameron Dewar, a szenátor unokája a republikánusok oldalán a Watergate-ügy egyik ötletadója és kivitelezője lesz… Gyimka Dvorkin Moszkvában Nyikita Hruscsov személyi titkáraként kezdi politikusi karrierjét, így a leszerelési tárgyalások, a csehszlovákiai bevonulás aktív résztvevője. Újságíró ikertestvére, Tánya révén kapcsolatba kerül a másként gondolkodókkal… A fantasztikusan eleven történeti háttér előtt a szereplők rengeteg izgalmas világesemény résztvevői, nagyszerű karriert futnak be, magánéletükben azonban sokkal kevésbé sikeresek: gyakran több évtized múltán ismerik fel, hogy ki is az igazi társuk. Ken Follett sodró lendületű cselekményeken keresztül egy olyan világba vezet bennünket, amelyről azt gondoljuk, hogy ismerjük, hiszen átéltük, s most mégis másképpen látjuk.

Katie Fforde - A ​Perfect Proposal
Sophie ​Apperly has been supporting herself since she left school, but as far as her academic family are concerned she's never had a 'proper' job. And because she's currently in between work she's despatched to look after Uncle Eric while his housekeeper is away. Here, whilst tidying his papers, she discovers a document relating to family business in America. Driven mad by her family and wanting to prove herself to them and bring in some much-needed income for them all, when her best friend Milly invites her over to New York she jumps at the chance - what's more she's lined up some nannying work for her to pay her way. However, she's hardly been in the country five minutes before disaster strikes. She suddenly finds herself with no work, nowhere to stay and very little money. Luckily Milly has a corner in her tiny apartment she can camp out in. A jaunt to an art gallery opening throws her into the path of Matilda - a grand old lady who is delighted to find someone who comes from the same part of the world as she grew up in. She is very taken with Sophie and invites her to her house in Connecticut for Thanksgiving. But Matilda's grandson Luke is very suspicious of Sophie - what exactly does this English girl want, is she after her grandmother's money? - and he's determined to nip this growing friendship in the bud.

Christopher Paolini - Eldest
Darkness ​falls... Despair abounds... Evil reigns... Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now, Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in magic and swordsmanship, the vital skills of the Dragon Rider. It is the journey of a lifetime, filled with awe-inspiring new places and people, each day a fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and Eragon isn't sure whom he can trust. Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle back home in Carvahall - one that puts Eragon in even graver danger. Will the king's dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life...

David Lodge - Deaf ​Sentence
_Being ​deaf is less an affliction than a sentence..._ Retired Professor of Linguistics Desmond Bates is going deaf. Not suddenly, but gradually and - for him and everyone nearby - confusingly. It's a bother for his wife, Winifred, who has an enviably successful new career and is too busy to be endlessly repeating herself. Roles are reversed when he visits his hearing-impaired father, who won't seek help and resents his son's intrusions. And, finally, there's Alex. Alex is a student Desmond agrees to help after a typical misunderstanding. But her increasingly bizarre and disconcerting requests cannot - unfortunately - be blamed on defective hearing. So much for growing old gracefully...

Sebastian Barry - Messze, ​messze
"A ​legszebb ifjúságát élte, ahogy mondani szokás. Már amennyire egy összetört szívű ember boldog lehet. Már amennyire boldog lehet egy ember, akinek kicsontozták, kifilézték a lelkét. Mivel azok a dolgok, amelyekre azelőtt vágyott, nem voltak már sehol, Willie nem vágyott semmire. Csak beszívta és kifújta a levegőt. Ennyi volt az egész." Willie Dunne százhatvanöt centiméter. Soha nem érte el az áhított száznyolcvan centit, hogy apja nyomdokába lépve a Dublini Királyi Rendőrség tagjává válhasson. 1914-ben azonban a testmagasság nem számít, sorozáskor senki sem kérdez rá. Willie családját, szerelmét hátrahagyva önkéntesként indul Belgiumba, hogy több ezer társával helyt álljon a nagy háborúban. A Messze, messze a férfivá válás regénye. Az addig csak Dublin utcáit, családját és egyetlen lányt ismerő Willie ártatlanul figyel a világra. Mindannyiszor próbák elé kerül: hol a félelemtől összevizelt nadrág, hol az első ölés, hol a pár napos szabadság élményei kavarják fel a jóhiszemű fiú érzéseit, mégis mindvégig képes megőrizni ezt a meghatóan férfias ártatlanságot. Mit hoz a háború? Borzalmat, kíméletlen ellentéteket, bajtársiasságot, együvé tartozást. És mit vesz el? Valakitől mindent. Sebastian Barry (Egy eltitkolt élet) megrázó erővel, gyönyörű leírásokban ábrázolja a háború iszonyatát, az emberi természet tisztaságát és mocskát. Úgy, hogy a mindent felégető pusztítás képeiből tudjuk, sarjadó új élet képei következnek.

Neil Gaiman - Csillagpor
Neil ​Gaiman könyve is úgy kezdődik, ahogyan a legjobb történetek általában: egy fiúval, egy lánnyal meg egy beteljesületlen szerelemmel. De aztán egyáltalán nem úgy folytatódik, ahogyan a mesék folytatódni szoktak. Neil Gaiman ezzel a regényével is bebizonyítja, hogy nem véletlenül tartják őt a modern fantasy egyik legnagyobb alakjának. Falva falva egy aprócska település Angliában. Arról a falról kapta a nevét, amely a falu határában húzódik, és elválasztja az emberi világot a varázslatok birodalmától. Egy hűvös októberi estén a fiatal Tristran Thorn hullócsillagot lát a falon túl a földre zuhanni, és hogy elnyerje a gyönyörűséges Victoria kezét, megígéri a lánynak: elhozza neki a lehullott csillagot. Tristran elindul hát élete nagy kalandjára a falon túli varázslatos világba, amelyet a legfurcsább teremtmények és soha nem látott lények népesítenek be. Hűséges társak, halálos ellenségek várják, és ha Tristran elég kitartó, olyasmit találhat meg, amire egyáltalán nem számított.

J. K. Rowling - Harry ​Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry ​Potter is an ordinary boy who lives in a cupboard under the stairs at his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon’s house, which he thinks is normal for someone like him who’s parents have been killed in a ‘car crash’. He is bullied by them and his fat, spoilt cousin Dudley, and lives a very unremarkable life with only the odd hiccup (like his hair growing back overnight!) to cause him much to think about. That is until an owl turns up with a letter addressed to Harry and all hell breaks loose! He is literally rescued by a world where nothing is as it seems and magic lessons are the order of the day. Read and find out how Harry discovers his true heritage at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft, the reason behind his parents mysterious death, who is out to kill him, and how he uncovers the most amazing secret of all time, the fabled Philosopher’s Stone! All this and muggles too. Now, what are they?? The Author: This is Jo’s first book and she has already written seven outlines for Harry’s further adventures at Hogwarts. She lives in Edinburgh.

Sylvia Day - Entwined ​with You
The ​worldwide phenomenon continues as Eva and Gideon face the demons of their pasts, and accept the consequences of their obsessive desires... From the moment I first met Gideon Cross, I recognized something in him that I needed. Something I couldn't resist. I also saw the dangerous and damaged soul inside--so much like my own. I was drawn to it. I needed him as surely as I needed my heart to beat. No one knows how much he risked for me. How much I'd been threatened, or just how dark and desperate the shadow of our pasts would become. Entwined by our secrets, we tried to defy the odds. We made our own rules and surrendered completely to the exquisite power of possession...

Jean M. Auel - The ​Clan of the Cave Bear
The ​story of Ayla begins when, as a five-year-old orphan, she is adopted by the Clan, a group of Neanderthals. Initially, she inspires surprise, then wariness and finally acceptance by the Clan. She is cared for by its medicine woman, Iza, and its wise holy man, Creb. But she makes an implacable enemy of the group's future leader, Broud. He will do all he can to destroy her - but Ayla is a survivor. Jean Auel's imaginative reconstruction of pre-historic life, rich in detail of language, culture, myth and ritual, has become a set text in schools and colleges around the world.

John Lennon - In ​His Own Write
_About ​The Awful_ I was bored on the 9th of Octover 1940 when, I believe, the Nasties were still booming us led by Madolf Heatlump (who only had one). Anyway they didn't get me. I attended to varicous schools in Liddypol. And still didn't pass -- much to my Aunties supplies. As a member of the most publified Beatles my (P, G, and R's) records might seem funnier to some of you than this book, but as far as I'm conceived this correction of short writty is the most wonderfoul larf I've every ready. God help and breed you all.

Kerstin Gier - Ruby ​Red
Gwyneth ​Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era! Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon, the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

David Lodge - Small ​World
The ​unbridled greed, pettiness, buffoonery and intellectual gobbledegook in the world of higher scholarship are the topics of this thorough and thoroughly funny "roman à English department". It's interesting for a couple of reasons, aside from its humour and lampoonery: it's an insider's view of things--always the best kind--and it takes its old- fashioned time telling a story, complete with reasonable digressions about the state of literary criticism and what may or may not be a realistic view of the academic life.

Sebastian Faulks - The ​Girl at the Lion d'Or
On ​a rainy night in the 1930s, Anne Louvet appears at the run-down Hotel du Lion d'Or in the village of Janvilliers. She is seeking a job and a new life, one far removed from the awful injustices of her past. As Anne embarks on a torrential love affair with a married veteran of the Great War, The Girl at the Lion d'Or fashions an unbreakable spell of narrative and atmosphere that evokes French masters from Flaubert to Renoir.

Christopher Paolini - Brisingr ​(angol)
Following ​the colossal battle against the Empire's warriors, Eragon and Saphira narrowly escaped with their lives. But more awaits the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by promises he may not be able to keep, including his oath to cousin Roran to help rescue his beloved Katrina. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes, Eragon must make choices that take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice. Conflict, action, adventure and one devastating death await readers as Eragon battles on behalf of the Varden while Galbatorix ruthlessly attempts to crush and twist him to his own purposes. Can he become a leader who can unite the rebel forces and defeat the King?

J. K. Rowling - Harry ​Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
There ​is a door at the end of a silent corridor. And it's haunting Harry Potter's dreams. Why else would he be waking in the middle of the night, screaming in terror? Here are just a few things on Harry's mind: - A Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher with a personality like poisoned honey. - A venomous, disgruntled house-elf - Ron as keeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch team - The looming terror of the end-of-term Ordinary Wizarding Level exams . . . and of course, the growing threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. In the richest installment yet of J. K. Rowling's seven-part story, Harry Potter is faced with the unreliability of the very government of the magical world and the impotence of the authorities at Hogwarts. Despite this (or perhaps because of it), he finds depth and strength in his friends, beyond what even he knew, boundless loyalty; and unbearable sacrifice. Though thick runs the plot, listeners will race through these tapes and leave Hogwarts, like Harry, wishing only for the next train back.

Christopher Paolini - Eragon ​(angol)
When ​Eragon finds a polished stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands...

J. K. Rowling - Harry ​Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry ​Potter receives an ominous warning from a house-elf at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: if he returns to the school at the end of the summer, terrible things will happen. But return Harry must. His second year begins with a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Quidditch training and the intensification of old rivalries. Then the warning starts to ring true, as mysterious words are daubed on a wall, students are attacked and Ron's sister, Ginny, disappears. And so the search for Salazar Slytherin's heir begins, with the mystery pointing Harry to a clandestine chamber and a deadly creature at its heart...