The saga that has enthralled the millions of readers of The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End now continues with Ken Follett's magnificent, gripping A Column of Fire.
Christmas 1558, and young Ned Willard returns home to Kingsbridge to find his world has changed.
The ancient stones of Kingsbridge Cathedral look down on a city torn by religious hatred. Europe is in turmoil as high principles clash bloodily with friendship, loyalty and love, and Ned soon finds himself on the opposite side from the girl he longs to marry, Margery Fitzgerald.
Then Elizabeth Tudor becomes queen and all of Europe turns against England. The shrewd, determined young monarch sets up the countrys first secret service to give her early warning of assassination plots, rebellions and invasion plans.
Elizabeth knows that alluring, headstrong Mary Queen of Scots lies in wait in Paris. Part of a brutally ambitious French family, Mary has been proclaimed the rightful ruler of England, with her own supporters scheming to get rid of the new queen.
Over a turbulent half-century, the love between Ned and Margery seems doomed, as extremism sparks violence from Edinburgh to Geneva. With Elizabeth clinging precariously to her throne and her principles, protected by a small, dedicated group of resourceful spies and courageous secret agents, it becomes clear that the real enemies then as now are not the rival religions.
The true battle pitches those who believe in tolerance and compromise against the tyrants who would impose their ideas on everyone else no matter the cost.
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Review
Recommended reading by * The Washington Post * USA Today * New York Post * The Christian Science Monitor * ThePhiladelphia Inquirer*
Deeply researched . . . compelling . . . A Column of Fire is absorbing, painlessly educational, and a great deal of fun.
The Washington Post
Folletts historical epics, including this one, evoke the Romantic adventures of Alexandre Dumas. Derring-do and double-crosses . . . A Column of Fire burns bright throughout.
The Christian Science Monitor
English-history mavens will find much to savor in Folletts third Kingsbridge novel.
AARP The Magazine
A fiery tale set in the latter half of the sixteenth century . . . As always, Follett excels in historical detailing, transporting readers back in time with another meaty historical blockbuster.
*Booklist*
An immersive journey through the tumultuous world of 16th century Europe and some of the bloodiest religious wars in history. Folletts sprawling novel is a fine mix of heart-pounding drama and erudite historicism.*Publishers Weekly*
About the Author
Ken Follett is one of the worlds best-loved authors, selling more than 160 million copies of his thirty books. Folletts first bestseller was Eye of the Needle, a spy story set in the Second World War.
In 1989 The Pillars of the Earth was published and has since become Folletts most popular novel. It reached number one on bestseller lists around the world and was an Oprahs Book Club pick.
Its sequel, World Without End, proved equally popular and the Kingsbridge series has sold 38 million copies worldwide.
Follett lives in Hertfordshire, England, with his wife Barbara. Between them they have five children, six grandchildren, and three Labradors.