The Pillars of the Earth

The Pillars of the Earth is a historical novel by Ken Follett about the building of a medieval cathedral during the Anarchy, a time of civil war in England.

Fast Facts

1. Author: Ken Follett
2. Genre: Historical Fiction
3. Publication Date: 1989
4. Publisher: William Morrow
5. Pages: 973 (2007 edition)
6. ISBN 0451225244 (2007 edition)
7. Adaptations: Board game
8. Sells 100,000 copies per year
9. Ken Follett's best-selling book

Plot Synopsis

The Pillars of the Earth follows two generations of a stonemason's family in and around the village of Kingsbridge and the construction of a cathedral there. As the loves and lives of the Cherbourg family unfolds, the book also explores the political conflicts of the time. A great deal of information about the cathedral era of England is worked into the storyline.

Critical Reception

• Voted the third most popular book in Germany, behind The Lord of the Rings and The Bible
• One of the top 100 books as listed in the BBC's Big Read
• Chosen for Oprah's Book Club
• "A seesaw of tension... that entertains, instructs and satisfies on a grand scale!" – Publishers Weekly

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