Each of Follett's subsequent novels has become a best-seller, ranking high on the "New York Times" Best Seller list; a number have been adapted for the screen. As of January 2018, he had published 44 books. The first five best sellers were spy thrillers: "Eye of the Needle" (1978), "Triple" (1979), "The Key to Rebecca "(1980), "The Man from St. Petersburg" (1982) and "Lie Down with Lions" (1986). "On Wings of Eagles" (1983) was the true story of how two of Ross Perot's employees were rescued from Iran during the revolution of 1979.