The Pillars of the Earth
by Ken Follett
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About This Book
ISBN13: 9780451166890 |
Synopses & Reviews
Publisher Comments:
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, KLady 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 Follet's historical masterpiece.
Review:
"A seesaw of tension...impeccable pacing...action, intrigue, violence and passion....A novel that entertains, instructs and satisfies on a grand scale!" Publishers Weekly
Review:
"An extraordinary epic buttressed by suspense...a monumental masterpiece...a towering triumph from a major talent!" Booklist
Review:
"...This will appeal more to lovers of exciting adventure stories than true devotees of historical fiction...." Cynthia Johnson Whealler, Library Journal
Review:
"A novel of majesty and power....Will hold you, fascinate you, surround you." Chicago Sun-Times
Review:
"A towering tale...There's murder, arson, treachery, torture, love, and lust...A good time can be had by all." New York Daily News
Review:
"Touches all human emotions...truly a novel to get lost in." Cosmopolitan
Synopsis:
Ken Follett, internationally-acclaimed master of split-second suspense, author of six #1 bestsellers, reaches beyond the expected to achieve his most brilliant and remarkable novel. The epic story of the building of a cathedral in 12th century England and the lives of the people entwined with it and each other is a sensuous, enduring narrative, and a gripping tale of faith, ambition, bloodshed and betrayal.
About the Author
Ken Follett is the international bestselling author of suspense thrillers and the nonfiction title On Wings of Eagles. He lives in England.
What Our Readers Are Saying
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Average customer rating based on 6 comments:









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Carol Snyder, March 26, 2008 (view all comments by Carol Snyder)
I must be in the minority of not really enjoying this book. For one thing, it is too big and causes pain in your hands and arms after holding it for ten minutes. Perhaps it could have been two continuing books.I also felt it was also too drawn out. That said, on the other hand, there were many wonderful parts. Especially the birth of John's baby.





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gperrine, December 20, 2007 (view all comments by gperrine)
I loved this book. The interpersonal relationships and sub-plots make the historical era come alive for the reader. William is a character that the reader loves to hate; while Phillip makes you proud. All the characters have the human element of being fully developed, well-rounded, dynamic individuals who seem to come alive on the page. I am American, but have been to Britain twice, and now I really want to go again to see Lincoln.





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StephenWright, November 27, 2007 (view all comments by StephenWright)
Of looking at old churches or cathedrals! Just realising that bunches of people spent their whole life to build those beautiful monuments to praise God - it's incredible. The plot of this book also is. It's the story of Phillip, Prior of Kingsbridge and his lifelong struggle and fight to get the cathedral built, run the priory and be a good monk. It's also the story of Tom and Jack - both of them addicted to masonry and especially to building cathedrals. And it is the story of Ellen, Aliena and Martha - three women whose life was intertwined with the cathedral built, not matter if they liked it or not. It is also a story about power and greed, political intrigues and personal interests of people around the King and in the Church who all have different reasons to want to stop the building of the cathedral. An excellent story that keeps you thrilled from first to last sentence. I would also recommend reading Tino Georgiou's masterpiece--The Fates--if you haven't read it yet.
View all 6 comments
Product Details
- ISBN:
- 9780451166890
- Author:
- Publisher:
- Signet Book
- Location:
- New York, N.Y., U.S.A. :
- Subject:
- Historical
- Subject:
- Great britain
- Subject:
- Fiction
- Subject:
- Historical - General
- Subject:
- Suspense
- Subject:
- Historical fiction
- Subject:
- Epic literature
- Subject:
- Great Britain History Stephen, 1135-1154 Fiction.
- Subject:
- Epic fiction
- Subject:
- Thrillers
- Copyright:
- 1989
- Series Volume:
- 4
- Publication Date:
- July 1990
- Binding:
- Mass Market Paperbound
- Grade Level:
- General/trade
- Language:
- English
- Pages:
- 983
- Dimensions:
- 6.95x4.23x1.44 in. .94 lbs.











