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Search - The Pillars of the Earth
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The Pillars of the Earth Author: |
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Book Information
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Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Paperback, Audio Cassette, Audio Cassette (Unabridged), Audio CD, Audio CD (Unab MP3)
Book Description:
Ken Follett had long been a staple of the bestseller lists for his novels of intrigue and espionage. Then came The Pillars of the Earth, a grand novel of epic storytelling that readers and critics quickly hailed as his crowning achievement. Now, The Pillars of the Earth is available for the first time to a new audience of readers, in this attractive new trade paperback edition.
In 12th-century England, the building of a mighty Gothic cathedral signals the dawn of a new age. This majestic creation will bond clergy and kings, knights and peasants together in a story of toil, faith, ambition and rivalry. A sweeping tale of the turbulent middle ages, The Pillars of the Earth is a masterpiece from one of the world's most popular authors.
"A novel of majesty and power...Will hold you, fascinate you, surround you." --Chicago Sun-Times
"A towering tale...There's murder, arson, treachery, torture, love, and lust...A good time can be had by all." --New York Daily News
"Touches all human emotions...truly a novel to get lost in." --Cosmopolitan
In 12th-century England, the building of a mighty Gothic cathedral signals the dawn of a new age. This majestic creation will bond clergy and kings, knights and peasants together in a story of toil, faith, ambition and rivalry. A sweeping tale of the turbulent middle ages, The Pillars of the Earth is a masterpiece from one of the world's most popular authors.
"A novel of majesty and power...Will hold you, fascinate you, surround you." --Chicago Sun-Times
"A towering tale...There's murder, arson, treachery, torture, love, and lust...A good time can be had by all." --New York Daily News
"Touches all human emotions...truly a novel to get lost in." --Cosmopolitan
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Top Member Book Reviews
Patricia
15 member(s) found this review helpful.
A really good read. I only just picked it up despite its being originally published almost 20 years ago and it kept my interest throughout, all 900 plus pages. No romanticizing past times here, just the raw data and descriptions of 12th century life as it was...a continuous struggle to meet even the most basic needs. The corruption of the church, the tenuous reign of Kings, and relationships within the classes is all depicted. Then we get to learn how these magnificent cathedrals were really built. The craftsmen and workers each have their story. Depressing at times? yes, but that's because Follett pulls you in to caring about the lead characters, feeling their anguish and rejoicing in their brief moments of joy.
7 member(s) found this review helpful.
Sex, scandal, and scheming meet religion, history, and architecture. It seemed an unlikely pairing to me, but I found the book a compelling, quick read despite its length. There are a lot of characters, but keeping track of them is surprisingly easy, and the ways that their paths cross is very interesting and often unexpected.
7 member(s) found this review helpful.
A sprawling epic. This is so different from Follett's other works. England's vibrant history comes alive in this story about an out of work 12th century master builder.
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is the absolute best book I have ever read. Set in 12th century England around the building of a cathedral, this story will keep you up late at night. You will come to love some of the characters and hate others -- I mean really hate them. At one point I nearly threw the book against the wall I was so mad.
This is a long book, and I was sad when it was over. I had to wait several years before Ken Follett came out with the sequel World Without End. While not as good as Pillars, it was great to go back to Kingsbridge.
All I can say is: Get this book -- you'll love it.
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
Absolute great book. Fascinating and I liked it better than the usual spy novels he writes.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I read this many years ago and enjoyed every minute. I am a historical fiction buff, but the human emotions and themes are timeless. I just purchased a copy for my husband to read and then got the sequel for myself to read on an upcoming long plane ride.
Amy H. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
973 pages! The size of this book intimidated me for a long time. Two weeks ago I decided to just read it and hope it was as good as I'd heard. It was. This story propels you forward effortlessly; you just HAVE to know what is going to happen next. Even when there were only 100 pages left to go, I still had no idea how certain story lines would be resolved. I am so glad that I read this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or just a really good story.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I read this book twenty yeears ago when it was first published and loved it then. When Oprah chose it for her book club I was surprised because I thought she only selected "current" books; it wa such a pleasant surprise to see her choose this one.
The story of the struggles it took to build the cathedrals of Europe is magnificent! In our modern age, we rarely think about how difficult it was to accomplish feats such as these in the Middle ages. Ken Follett has takrn an incredible journey to the times and places of the cathedrals. The research which must have gone into this book is almost beyond belief, and then to tell the story in such a way as to make you feel like you were there -- what can I say?
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Wonderful novel that encompasses so much history and politics of the 12th Century. Great book!
Please Rate these Book Reviews
I loved this so much when I borrowed it from the library that I had to get a copy of my own to loan to my friends. Great characters, great story, fascinating history...a great read.
A truly memorable book. Although I like historical fiction very much, I wasn't sure I would like this book. I was so wrong and I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves to read. This was one of those rare books that I will always remember. An incredible journey through the Middle Ages with characters from the lowest of peasants to the kings and archbishops of wealth and power, all centered around the building of the great cathedrals of England.
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