International best-selling author Ken Follett has enthralled millions of fans with the first two books of his Kingsbridge series, The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. The saga now continues with Follett’s magnificent new epic, A Column of Fire.
In 1558, the ancient stones of Kingsbridge Cathedral look down on a city torn apart by religious conflict. As power in England shifts precariously between Catholics and Protestants, high principles clash bloodily with friendship, loyalty, and love.
Ned Willard wants nothing more than to marry Margery Fitzgerald. But when the lovers find themselves on opposing sides of the religious divide sweeping across the country, Ned goes to work for Princess Elizabeth. When she becomes queen, all Europe turns against England. The shrewd, determined young monarch sets up the country’s first secret service, to give her early warning of assassination plots, rebellions, and invasion plans. Over a turbulent half century, the love between Ned and Margery seems doomed as extremism sparks violence from Edinburgh to Geneva. Elizabeth clings precariously to her throne and her principles, protected by a small, dedicated group of resourceful spies and courageous secret agents.
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 what the cost.
Set during one of the most turbulent and revolutionary times in history, A Column of Fire is one of Follett’s most exciting and ambitious works yet and is perfect both for longtime fans of the Kingsbridge series as well as listeners new to Ken Follett.
Tremendously disappointed I loved Pillars so much and am very sorry to express tremendous disappointment in “Column of Fire.” I am not too far into it but just don’t think I will invest fifteen hours in its completion. The characters are two dimensional and they talk too much. That they seem too modern is periodically reinforced by the inclusion of words and phrases such as “dreamboat,” “talking trash” and “puke,”–somewhat jarring to come across. I am so disappointed to not be…
Ken Follett in all his glory…. So! The third installment of Kingsbridge is HERE and I am absolutely loving Column! 5 stars all the way, everything you’d want from Ken F. in a book. I want to talk directly to the reader who has not yet read any of the 3 Kingsbridge books. You must start with Pillars of the Earth. It’s the greatest book I’ve ever read and it unearthed my passion for historical fiction. Even IF you’re not into historical fiction, it’s impossible that you wouldn’t love this book or its series or any of Ken’s…
A real Ken Follett â and that is great (with minor flaws) We waited three years for a new Ken Follett novel and almost ten for the next, the third, book of his Kingsbridge story. So here is his new novel, the name is âA column of Fireâ (I never get his naming) and it is a real Ken Follett â with all pros and cons. If you know novels by Ken Follett, you know what you get: Tension, entertainment, a lot of well researched knowledge â and unfortunately a little black and white where you expect more gray.