The Pillars of the Earth
- 1088 pages
- 39 hours of reading
Set in twelfth-century England, this epic of kings and peasants juxtaposes the building of a magnificent church with the violence and treachery that often characterized the Middle Ages.
The Pillars of the Earth Series
This historical series is set in medieval England and follows the fates of several families trying to survive and thrive in turbulent times. The story revolves around the construction of a cathedral and the political intrigues that affect the characters' lives. Readers can look forward to rich historical details, dramatic twists, and strong emotional moments. This series is a celebration of human resilience and ambition.
Recommended Reading Order
World without end
- 1200 pages
- 42 hours of reading
Murder, intrigue, plague and pestilence in the stunning sequel to the international bestseller PILLARS OF THE EARTH
A Column of Fire
- 928 pages
- 33 hours of reading
In 1558, Kingsbridge Cathedral witnesses a city divided by religious conflict as England's power shifts between Catholics and Protestants. Amidst this turmoil, Ned Willard aspires to marry Margery Fitzgerald, but their love is tested when they find themselves on opposing sides of the conflict. Ned joins Princess Elizabeth's service, and when she ascends to the throne, England faces hostility from all of Europe. Determined to protect her reign, Elizabeth establishes the first secret service to thwart assassination plots and invasions. Over the next fifty years, Ned and Margery's love appears doomed as extremism leads to violence across the continent. Elizabeth's commitment to her principles is upheld by a small group of spies and agents who navigate the treacherous landscape. The true conflict lies not in the rival religions but between those who champion tolerance and those who impose their beliefs by force. Set against a backdrop of revolutionary change, this narrative is one of Ken Follett's most ambitious works, captivating both long-time fans and newcomers alike.
The grand master of gripping fiction is back. International No.1 bestseller Ken Follett returns to Kingsbridge with an epic tale of revolution and a cast of unforgettable characters.Revolution is in the air1792. A tyrannical government is determined to make England a mighty commercial empire. In France, Napoleon Bonaparte begins his rise to power, and with dissent rife, France’s neighbours are on high alert.Kingsbridge is on the edgeUnprecedented industrial change sweeps the land, making the lives of the workers in Kingbridge’s prosperous cloth mills a misery. Rampant modernization and dangerous new machinery are rendering jobs obsolete and tearing families apart.Tyranny is on the horizonNow, as international conflict nears, a story of a small group of Kingsbridge people - including spinner Sal Clitheroe, weaver David Shoveller and Kit, Sal’s inventive and headstrong son - will come to define the struggle of a generation as they seek enlightenment and fight for a future free from oppression. . .Taking the reader straight into the heart of history with the fifth novel in the ground-breaking Kingsbridge series, The Armour of Light is master storyteller Ken Follett’s most ambitious novel to date.
Related books
The Evening and the Morning
- 912 pages
- 32 hours of reading
In 997 CE, as England grapples with attacks from the Welsh and Vikings, the absence of a clear rule of law leads to chaos. Amidst this turmoil, three characters' lives become intertwined. A young boatbuilder faces upheaval when Vikings raid his home, forcing him and his family to relocate to a small hamlet where he struggles to fit in. A Norman noblewoman, marrying for love, follows her husband to a new land, only to discover that the customs are vastly different and that everyone is embroiled in a relentless struggle for power, where a single misstep could have dire consequences. Meanwhile, a monk aspires to elevate his humble abbey into a renowned center of learning admired across Europe. Each character confronts a cunning and ruthless bishop determined to amass wealth and power at any cost. This prequel to a beloved novel explores a rich historical landscape filled with ambition, rivalry, love, and conflict, ultimately leading to the events of the original story.