Lie Down with Lions (Unabridged) [Audio Download]

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan began on Christmas Eve 1979. The inhabitants of this geographically isolated land, rose up to defend their country. They armed themselves with whatever was on hand, gathered into loose formations and began to attack and sabotage the Soviet Union's personnel, installations, depots and transports with any available weapons. Scattered guerrilla bands, with fierce pride, and a tremendous ability to endure, fought against the far superior and more numerous Soviet forces and sophisticated weaponry.

"Lie Down With Lions" opens in Paris in 1981. John Ellis, an American CIA agent, is working undercover and living with a politically active Englishwoman, the sensual, lovely Jane Lambert, who he plans on proposing marriage to as soon as he completes his assignment. Jean-Pierre Debout, a French doctor and member of the Communist Party, is going to Afghanistan, ostensibly to provide medical assistance to the rebel forces fighting against the Soviets. He has, however, another agenda. Jean-Pierre also loves Jane and wants her to accompany him to Afghanistan as his nurse-assistant. Ellis, after capturing an important KGB agent, is exposed as CIA. Jane leaves him in disgust, not only because of his job, but because he lied to her.

The Valley of Five Lions, a place of ancient legend, lies deep in the Afghan mountains, far removed from civilization. Jane and her husband, Jean Pierre have been working here, in a rebel village, for a year. They minister to the local inhabitants, who have never seen a doctor before, and patch together and stitch-up the wounded warriors. An American visits the valley with an important message for Masud, a famous and effective guerrilla leader, from the White House. The messenger is John Ellis. A terrible treachery is discovered, shortly after he arrives. A nightmare flight with the Soviets in pursuit occurs, across the Hindu Kush, leading to an extraordinarily suspenseful confrontation. The action here is unbelievable with Ken Follett, the master of the suspense-thriller, at his best.

As usual, Follett's narrative is riveting and the action intense. His characters are well drawn and believable, with all their complexities and conflicts. There are so few novels written about Afghanistan, especially during this important period in history, and that makes "Lie Down With Lions" all the more worthwhile a read.
JANA

Ken Follett is a great, romantic top thriller writer, an artist of compelling talents. And as always, he has written another blockbuster with a fast-paced story line. Even though, I've read many of his novels, after just a few, I realised that most of them have a pattern and they're similar to one another in their technique of writing. I think this one, will be forever one of his finest masterpieces.
As soon I flipped the cover, it pulled me into a vivid and exciting time of an obstinate war between the Soviet Union and the United States. Even though, I'm not very pro-American and the way of solving problems and keeping the peace by the U.S.A for me is controversial, I got shot by the plot (I'm a poet and I didn't know it)and interesting intrigue created by the C.I.A
Everything starts in France, Paris where a C.I.A agent, under the nickname Ellis, and his partners, make a trap for a very dangerous and well known Arab terrorist. As you read, you become the main character - Ellis. You start to feel and react as he does. Happiness for being with your girlfriend Jane in her apartment, after an intoxicating night spent with her; fear, uncertainty before the climax of a mission and victory, all of this follows you like a shadow in the first part.
The plot is tight, starts off and never slows down until the hair-raising finale. This could be compared to a wild river with many tributaries; main characters, other people like Jean-Pierre, Anatoli, Masud or Mohammed who have a big affect on the story; descriptions of a land and weather, sounds, people's feelings and their reactions; finally sex and action, which is more in one chapter, than you can imagine, all of this makes the story vivid and the river flow smoothly. Moreover, the details used by the author, the way how he hammered out words created an unbelievably authentic story. The scenes of sorrow and of Afghans dying due to sustained injuries after the cruel raid of soviet helicopters, or on the other hand, the suffering, dismay and fear in the eyes of the Russian officer captured by Masud; he is alive yet, his body is in contempt and torn to pieces by Afghans who play with him in a brutal and barbarian game similar to polo. It is called buzkhasi; players on horses' backs, scramble for the object of a game until it crumbles.
Also the important thing about this book is, that it even touches the sense of hearing. For example, even though, when you read that place is silent, the noise and drone of soviet helicopters, or the sound of shootings from AK-74, will interrupt you. The sough of a river, which crosses the Afghanistan and is as cold as icy little blades, stabbing your flesh as you step inside, all play a symphony in your mind.
If you don't want to miss all of this experience and fun , which this book offers, the solution is to just read it!

Not the most intellectual book in the world, but who cares? What a page turner? This is a gripping book with great action, steamy sex scenes and likeable hero/heroine, all set in a well researched and thoroughly believable Afghanistan. One of my two favourite Follett books. Go read and enjoy!