The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

This book was recommended on one of my social networking sites. I watched the series on TV recently and decided to read the book also. I am glad I watched the series first because it made the reading easier. I can get the TV series from my library and will probably watch it again. I will say after I read the Preface and saw the author did not believe in God, I almost did not read the book. I am glad I made the choice to read it.


The book is full of history about England and building of cathedrals and the people of the times. Hardships and good times were part of their life in these trying times. The building of a Cathedral is the main topic of the book.

The main characters of The Pillars of the Earth are:

Prior Philip- Prior of the Kingsbrdige Priory

Tom Builder- the master mason building the Cathedral for Philip

Alfred-son of Tom and Agnes

Martha- daughter of Tom and Agnes

Jonathan- son of Tom and Agnes

Agnes- first wife of Tom

Ellen- second wife of Tom

Jack- son of Ellen

Aliena- daughter of Earl of Shiring

Richard- son of Earl of Shiring

William- son of Percy Hamleigh

Regan- mother of William

Francis- brother of Philip

King Henry- the first King Henry

Maud- daughter of King Henry

Stephen- nephew of King Henry

Waleran Bigod- Archdeacon and then Bishop of Kingsbridge

This book is full of history. For those who have seen some of the great cathedrals of Europe, this is a reminder of their majesty. I remember seeing many cathedrals of Europe and in England and they all have the special feelings of something great.

There is love, hate, jealously, fear, rape, greed, religion. love of God and family, heartbreak and murder in this The Pillars of the Earth book of 973 pages. Some of the rape scenes were graphic as some of the battle scenes and I scanned over them.

The chapters are:

Prologue- Year 1123

Part One- Years 1135-1136

Part Two- Years 1136-1137

Part Three- Years 1142-1145

Part Four- Years 1142-1145

Part Five- Years 1152-1155

Part Six- Years 1170-1174

I give this book a definite 5 star.

Leona Olson

mnleona.blogspot.com