#1 New York Times BestsellerOprah’s Book Club SelectionThe “extraordinary . . . monumental masterpiece” (Booklist) that changed the course of Ken Follett’s already phenomenal career. Look out for Ken’s newest book, A Column of Fire, available now.“Follett risks all and comes out a clear winner,” extolled Publishers Weekly on the release of The Pillars of the Earth. A departure for the bestselling … release of The Pillars of the Earth. A departure for the bestselling thriller writer, the historical epic stunned readers and critics alike with its ambitious scope and gripping humanity. Today, it stands as a testament to Follett’s unassailable command of the written word and to his universal appeal.
The Pillars of the Earth tells the story of Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has known . . . of Tom, the mason who becomes his architect—a man divided in his soul . . . of the beautiful, elusive Lady Aliena, haunted by a secret shame . . . and of a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state and brother against brother.
A spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power set against the sprawling medieval canvas of twelfth-century England, this is Ken Follett’s historical masterpiece.
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Follett researches his books and creates insights into life in a different time. This tale features characters and storylines that continue. Great read.
Well written. Great read.
Read one of Ken Follett’s books and you will read them all.
The first Ken Follett book I read. I loved it and highly recommend it. The characters were wonderful to follow.
A lesson in history and architecture that provides insight to the people who built remarkable structures.
I have yet to read a book by Ken Follett that I did not enjoy ( I think I have read all) and this is his best
Way too long.
Read this book many years ago.
Excellent story telling with great detail in the environment and the time.
I’ve completed this trilogy. I love the way Follett writes!
This book is a huge commitment that is so worth the time & energy. It creates such strong, entertaining story that includes marvelous details of building a society with the details of building from various perspectives. You will not regret joining the characters on their journey. It is a story that I look forward to re-reading again in my retirement.
This is one of my all time favorite books. I couldn’t out it down.
only a few chapters in, and I’m mesmerized.
The first in a series of excellent novels set in medieval times. This book is centered around the construction of a cathedral lives of those involved. We written and captivating.
I listened to this book while driving to work, 45 minutes each way. I could not wait to get back to it. I forgot how many times I got to work a little late or drove around the block, waiting for a good stopping point, before going home.
The context is action packed, thought provoking, inspires the imagination, surprising and seemingly realistic, good vs bad, a history lesson, romantic and true love,, and has a righteous ending that connects with the beginning.
I’ve listened to Pillars of the Earth three times to uncover the little details that I might have missed.
Ken Follett delivers a story that engages you from beginning to end. Whew…what a story.
Fascinating. One of the best books I’ve ever read.
Kind of tedious. Made it half way and gave up.
A classic- one of the best novels you will ever read. Set during a turbulent time in English history (1100s), it builds upon the tragic loss of the White Ship and the heirs to the English throne. The characters- good and evil- are impossible to forget. I’ve known several people who have read this masterpiece and all have loved the story. Interestingly, my friends and family have found various aspects of the book to be the central focus- a period piece, a story about religion in that time period, a love story, a story about corruption, a story about architecture and man’s intellect.
A piece of history that should be read by all.
This is a very big book, not something you can finish in a weekend. Yet I have read it twice and I have loaned it to friends so many times that it is falling apart. If you haven’t read it, what are you waiting for?
you want to keep 5* for a book like this magnificent book. You feel he has done his research and has his facts right, the story is gripping and you want there to be a a next one.
Follett’s proven mastery of the historical novel. Lives up to the rest of the series.