Pillars of Earth Books In Order
Book links take you to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn money from qualifying purchases.Publication Order of Kingsbridge Books
| The Pillars of the Earth | (1989) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| World Without End | (2007) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| A Column of Fire | (2017) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Evening and the Morning | (2020) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Armor of Light | (2023) | Description / Buy at Amazon |
| The Evening and the Morning is a prequel to the series. | ||
This series is also known by the name, the Kingsbridge series, based on the fictional town in England called Kingsbridge where Follett has set the series’ events. As per the description of Ken Follett, the series revolves around the construction of a cathedral in Kingsbridge.
This series’ books are set in the mid 12th century, 14th century, and in the Elizabethan era of England respectively. Ken Follett is particularly famous for writing the series first novel, which takes place primarily during Anarchy.
The events of the first book are set between Thomas Becket’s killing and White Ship’s sinking. There are traces of the Gothic Architecture’s development out of the Romanesque architecture’s presedence in this series. Prior to writing this series, author Follett was famous for writing thriller genre novels. After Pillars of the Earth was released, he was able to establish himself among the ranks of the bestselling authors.
This first novel was later developed into an eight part mini-series in 2010. The book got listed at number 33 on Big Read by BBC in 2003. This was a survey conducted by the channel to find the best loved book of the nation. In 2007, the Book Club of Oprah selected this book in the US. Ken Follett is a renowned novelist from Wales.
He is included among the most successful novelists of the world. He has penned 31 books altogether, which have been translated into as many as 33 foreign languages in different parts of the globe. More than 160 million printed copies of Ken Follett’s books have been sold worldwide.
Author Follett was born on June 05, 1949 in Cardiff, Wales. His father was a taxi-inspector. Follett completed his initial studies from the state schools. Later, he enrolled himself at the University College in London and graduated with a philosophy Honors degree.
The college made him his fellow in 1995. Before starting his career in the writing field, author Follett used to work as a newspaper reporter. He was first employed at South Wales Echo, a newspaper agency in his hometown; and then moved on to work for London Evening News.
Follett also worked for Everest Book publishing house for some time subsequently and became its deputy managing director. The latest project of author Follett as a novelist has sold 19.5 million copies so far throughout the world. The first major success that Follett had was with his 1978 novel Eye of the Needle. This was a Second World War thriller novel set in Britain.
The novel helped Follett win the Edgar Award in 1979. The book still remains to be among his popular books. After successfully starting the Kingsbridge series in 1989, Follett went on to write its second installment in 2007, after a gap of 18 years.
However, the second was also received by his fans with equal enthusiasm. Other than writing books, author Follett likes to take active participation in literacy charities. He is the past president of the Dyslexia Action and the current president of Stevenage Community.
He has founded the Follett Trust that gives single donations towards education, social deprivation, and arts. Ken Follett loves music and books equally. He likes to play bass guitar and is involved with a couple bands. As of today, Follett resides in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.
He is married and lives with his beautiful wife named Barbara. The couple has 5 children and 6 grandchildren. The debut book of the Kingsbridge series written by author Ken Follett is entitled ‘The Pillars of the Earth’. It was released by the NAL Trade publishing in 2002, after its initial release in 1989.
The main characters described in this book by author Follett include Tom Builder, Alfred Builder, Prior Philip, Empress Matilda, Aliena, Percy Hamleigh, Jack Jackson, Willaim Hamleigh, Waleran Bigod, Ellen, Regan Hamleigh, etc. The story of this book is described in 6 parts and runs from the year 1135 to 1174. The central plot of this novel deals with building the grand structure of a medieval cathedral with the eerie artistry of unschooled stone masons.
The book consists everything that the readers consider worthy of reading, intrigue, passionate romance, and fast paced action. The thing that makes this novel look extraordinary is its 12th century setting in feudal England. Author Follett has managed to re-create the flamboyant, crude Middle Ages England with minute details.
He has described the vast forests, huge castles, monasteries, and walled towns with perfection. The story is set against the backdrop of the Middle Ages and is filled with daily life rhythms and the ravages of the war. It draws the readers’ attention into the characters’ intertwined lives irresistibly and into their labors, their loves, and their dreams.
The characters of Tom, Aliena, Philip, Jack, Ellen, etc., all play interesting roles to make the book an exciting read. Author Follett seems to have woven a tale of betrayal, love, and revenge, that starts with an innocent man’s public hanging and ends with a king’s humiliation. Another very popular novel of this historical fiction series is called ‘A Column of Fire’.
It was published by the Viking publication in 2017. This book is set in Kingsbridge, England, at the time of the year 1558. The primary depicted by Ken Follett include Ned Willard, Princess Elizabeth, Margery Fitzgerald, and several others.
At the beginning of the story of the book, it is depicted that religious conflicts spread all over Kingsbridge and clashes take place between Protestants and Catholics, commoners and royals. With the shift of power, friendship, love, and loyalty are tested.
Ned Willard wishes to get married to Margery Fitzgerald. However, their love fails to flourish because they find themselves on opposing sides in the ongoing religious clashes and conflicts that has divided the country. Ned Willard goes to serve Princess Elizabeth.
As soon as Elizabeth becomes queen, England faces opposition from the whole of Europe. The young, shrewd monarch, lays the foundation of the first ever secret service of the country which helps Queen Elizabeth by giving her prior warnings of rebellions, invasion plans, and assassination plots. Over a course of 50 years, Ned and Margery remain separated and their love seems doomed.
Elizabeth continues to remain on the throne and have the control of power. She has the support of courageous agents and resourceful spies. It is proved in the end that rival religions are not the real enemies, but the entities that spread hatred and violence, and make innocent people their victims. Author Follett has done an excellent work in giving out the message of love and friendship.
Book Series In Order » Characters »
Any issues with the book list you are seeing? Or is there an author or series we don’t have? Let me know!
In Pillars of the Earth, does anyone know where Ellen came from? I might have missed it but it just speaks of the forest where she lived. I’ve read Morning and Evening, as well and there’s a gap between the two book’s timetable and characters. Thanks.
I read Pillars of the Earth in 1989. Should they be read in publication order? In other words, do we need to know the characters in order to get the most out of the prequels?.
For this series yeah I think it would be best to read in publication order.
If I want to read the books in chronological order (not order of publication), would it be The Evening & The Morning, Column of Fire, Pillars of the Earth, then World Without End? ~Thanks
Hi Ginger – you would read World Without End first then you can read the rest in publication order.
Just finishing “Pillars” and would like to read the book following the timeline Thank you
Well World Without End is next as listed above. But The Evening and the Morning is a prequel.