The Clifton Chronicles #1 : Only Time Will Tell (P)

Literary awards - Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Historical Fiction (2011).

The Clifton Chronicles marks Jeffrey Archer's most ambitious work in over four decades, beginning with an unforgettable tale that spans generations, secrets, and the choices that define a life.

The epic saga of Harry Clifton begins in 1920 with the haunting words, "I was told that my father was killed in the war." Yet, it will take twenty more years for Harry to uncover the true circumstances of his father's death—a revelation that sets him on a quest to discover his true identity. Is he the son of Arthur Clifton, a humble stevedore from Bristol's docks, or is he the heir to a prestigious West Country shipping family?

Spanning the years from 1920 to 1940, Only Time Will Tell takes readers through the turbulent aftermath of the Great War, the rise of Nazi Germany, and the outbreak of the Second World War. In this gripping narrative, Harry faces a life-altering decision: will he attend Oxford University, or join the Navy to confront Hitler's forces?

With a richly drawn cast of characters and a plot filled with intrigue, betrayal, and destiny, Jeffrey Archer crafts an unforgettable story that evokes the sweeping drama of The Forsyte Saga. As the narrative unfolds, the twists and turns of Harry's life lead to a shocking conclusion—a dilemma neither Harry nor the reader could ever have anticipated.