#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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My favorite book! I couldn’t put it down!
Wonderful story, fabulous characters.
You won’t be able to put this one down! Colorful characters and spell binding read!
This is one of those books that you NEVER forget about. It is a true epic of a novel and the characters and the time in which they live are all superbly drawn. I’ve read all of Ken Follet’s novels however this is the one that stands out to me as his masterpiece, and I can heartily recommend it as one not to miss.
Although this book has been out a few years it was the first novel I had read by Ken Follett. It totally transported me back to the middle ages and I loved it. I was gripped by the enormity of it, the great characters, the plots and the precise attention to detail. I have read this book three times now and no doubt will again. It is a huge inspiration for any budding author and will go down in history as one of the all time greats.
One of my top 10 favorite books of all time! I have read it twice – absolutely love the characters.
Loved every page of this book.
For those fascinated by the magnificent cathedrals of Europe this is a must read.
One of my lifetime’s favorite reads.
I wouldn’t have read this book because it just didn’t sound that interesting to me. Then my son told me how much he liked it so I decided I’d read it after all. I wasn’t sorry.
Learned so much while being entertained.
A refreshing insight and perspective of our own limited life spans within the evolution of history as a whole
Fillet is superior
All the life challenges and there were many goodness shines through
My #1 favorite historical novel (and book series). Follett used vivid, complicated, and thoroughly compelling characters carry the.trader through.the book,making readers truly care about the building of a “flying” cathedral in medieval England. We are enlightened, entertained, and most of all drawn into the world of Kingsbridge, anticipating every page, and eager to dive into the next book.
Really enjoyed the whole series. Highly recommend to those who want an idea of how people lived in the middle ages.
If you like historical fiction, this book is for you. Follett does it again! Engaging, educational, page turner. I was sad when it was over.
Loved it!!
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. This book follows the life of a man and his family in the Middle Ages. Tom works building a cathedral. The story built around this is fascinating. Starting with the travel to find and get hired is intriguing and clearly describes the struggles and living conditions of a lower class family at that time in history. It also contrasts the lives of royalty. This is a long book, but when I got to about 100 pages from the end, I wanted it to last even longer. Ken Follett is an amazing author.
Great epic novel encompassing English history, real life traumas, love, successes and heartbreak.