Pillars Of The Earth
 

Just finished it. One of the best historical novels I've ever read. Anyone know anything about how accurate/well researched it was?

From the publisher: "In a time of civil war, famine and religious strife, there rises a magnificent Cathedral in Kingsbridge. Against this backdrop, lives entwine: Tom, the master builder, Aliena, the noblewoman, Philip, the prior of Kingsbridge, Jack, the artist in stone and Ellen, the woman from the forest who casts a curse. At once, this is a sensuous and enduring love story and an epic that shines with the fierce spirit of a passionate age."

Am now starting World Without End.

An excellent read. I was told that it fairly accurately captured the secrecy of the Masons and the reason for it.

Yup, both those titles are excellent. I happen to really like historical fiction.

My personal favorites are a few in the James Clavell collection. Primarily Taipan (my most favorite novel) and Shogun. All of Clavell's work is Asian related and I love his stuff. I recommend them for the future.

Hard to beat Gate's of Fire. Maybe the best historical novel I ever read. I loved Pillars of the Earth, but Pressman's Gate's of Fire is spellbinding.

Just finished Pillars a few weeks ago. I haven't been that captivated by a book in awhile.

+1 on James Clavell. "King Rat" wasn't my favorite, but the others were great.

Think he passed 5 or so years ago.

I don't read books described as a "sensuous and enduring love story". JMHO

Damn I am just finishing up the last few pages of Pillars. Should be done tonight. Hard book to put down. I just started on it after Christmas.

I just finished Pillars on unabridged audiobook. Magnificent novel. Can't wait to start World Without End. Ken Follett is one of my favorite authors.

Did you check the copywrite on Pillars? 1989. I just read it a month ago & my wife is reading it now. I guess the publisher re-released it because of the sequel. I think it's based roughly on Winchester.

Another historical series that is really good is Colleen McCollough's Caesar series, although the Roman names can be a tad confusing.

I consume books when I'm on the road.

Ian

If you like Follett's historical style novels you may like his other ones such as A Dangerous Fortune (about banking in UK during the Victorian era) and A Place Called Freedom (about English Colonies in North America at the time of the Revolution) - I love Follets work.

Also good for historic series is Edward Rutherford. I read his book Sarum (about Salisbury and Stonehenge region) not long after I read Pillars of the Earth. He has also done ones on the New Forrest, London and Ireland.

I think Pillars of the Earth is still the best book I have ever read - so far.

Tim

A great great book, highly recommended.

I would also recommend the Saxon series by Bernard Cornwell, I have read the first three books and they are great. Book One is " The Last Kingdom " really a great read.

Todd SmileWavy