The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (1996)

Follett is always a good read and this one is no exception.
I only gie it a "good" because I keep putting off reading books that are this long.

This is a great book that I am reading now. It was reasonable priced and arrived in good condition. This purchase saved me going to a book store and using all that gas.

jcb

I purchased this book because it was on Oprah's list. I am very happy that I purchased it on ebay and did not pay full price in a store! I have very rarely been so bored with a book. It was a chore to finish reading it. Although it was well researched, I can look up 12th century churches and building methods on the internet, rather than read pages of trivia about it in a novel. To much violence, way to "wordy", and the plot was very predictable. This book is definitly NOT on my recommend list!

I truly appreciate your getting the book out to me so promptly. It was a wonderful read and the book itself was very clean and in great condition. It was a pleasure to do business with a professial who is so considerate of the reader. I look forward to doing business with you in the days to come
best wishes,
deb fincher

The book was shipped timely and came in good shape. Would do business with seller again. Bought book because it was on the Opray best seller list.

I bought this book on a recommendation from a friend. What an amazing book - you get completely drawn in to the characters. Over 900 pages, yet I never once wanted to put it down! Truly makes you think about the path you choose to take in life, will you choose to live an honest but sometimes difficult life and maintain your integrity or will you do anything to achieve your goals? Will good or evil triumph in the long run? A woman sitting near me saw me reading this at the auto repair shop and could not stop talking about how much she loved the book and even recommended the sequel. As she left she said now she was inspired to read this again. I am sure I will read this one again myself.

This is an historical fiction, taking place in the 12th century, and as such is quite interesting. The book is 1,000 pages long, but moves along pretty quickly once you're involved in the story. The plot is richly layered, and the characters' relationships compelling. One of the main characters dreams of building a cathedral in his lifetime, and we are swept up in his victories and frustrations over the years as he attempts to see his dream come to fruition. The cast of characters includes lords and ladies, bishops and monks, beggars, thieves and murderers, warriors and peacemakers, kings and serfs. The politics of the palace, the church, the warlords, is believable and intriguing.
I highly reccomend this book.

Quick, efficient, and just as described. GREAT seller. Would be happy to do business with them anytime.

Excellent epic novel that clearly demonstrates the research the author has done before writing this book.

one of my ATF's. A classic of epic literature. Wonderful characters, great scenery, Follett's best work well beyond all his great WW2 novels. I only wish there was someway to make it a movie, but reading, you know there is practically no way...maybe a HBO series might be the only real option, but what a great and complex story. I recommend it to all my architect collegues.

I decided to get this book because Oprah just raved about it. I would not normally be interested in reading a book set in this time period but this book is well written and easy to follow. This book is huge at almost 1,000 pages. There are times when the book drags a little, but then it picks right back up and you're thoroughly enjoying it again. I'm only at about the 300 page mark -- so much more to read!

The book was in condition promised. It was shipped and received quickly. I enjoyed reading the book. Thanks

I read about 4-6 novels per year but this was the first I read by Ken Follett. It was recommended by Oprah and that was the main reason I chose to read it, because I have not been disapointed but just a few times by her selections. This book had so many intersting characters and takes place in mid-evil times (England). There were a few chapters that went in to explicit detail on the building of catherdel's which was a little boring to me because that doesn't interest me but it was necesary to give you insight into the passion of the main characters. A wonderful Epic novel, I cannot wait to read the sequel " A World Without End!!!

I very much enjoy reading, and read all genres there are. This is my first book by Follett, and it is AMAZING. I purchased this for the book club I am in. I generally read before bed as a way to completely wind down and relax. However, this book has disrupted my sleeping because I find that I am not able to put it down and stay up additional hours reading, and then fret when I make myself stop and go to bed. I am already ordering his other books!
On a scale of 1-5 stars, I give this 6 stars

For those unfamiliar with the storyline, it is a long and well-versed story about the life of a small town and some of its citizens. There are a few slow parts, but they last no more than 3-5 pages. It is accurate for the era: women's place in life, men's place in life, the role and power of the church, the role and power of the king. The story is centered around the building of a cathedral--for this time, it is a huge undertaking. While a large part of the story encompassess priests, monks, bishops, and the church, it is not religious--or, rather, the purpose is not to sway the reader in any religious manner. There is love, revenge, tragedy, bitter irony, happiness, and it is easy to relate and 'feel' each of the characters.
I highly recommend this book to anyone.

I Loved This Book!! It is written in a way that makes the reader want to read every single word so as not to miss a thing. It is also extremely hard to put down, making for many 3 a.m. bedtime nights!

I read this book many years ago - LOVED IT! It is a wonderful book!
I want to reread and then read the sequel, WORLD WITHOUT END!

Knowing Ken Follett to be a great author, I had heard this book was to be one of his best. Set in the period 1125 - 1150, when the stone masons were building the castles and cathedrals, Knights, Ladies, Lords, Kings and Priests stirring up schemes of intrigue, betrayal, love and compassion during and involving the construction of one great cathedral. The main character, a transient architect and stone mason of the times, dreams of one day building a great cathedral. However, the political interference by the influential upon the architect and builders, as well as the clergy, against the tenacity and determination of the builder presents a great story which is difficult to put down once started.

I NEVER RECEIVED MY BOOK!!!!!!!OR A NOTE ABOUT WHY I NEVER RECEIVED MY BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I bought the book because I had read many of Follett's books and loved them. This book however was not typical Follett. The plot was predictable and the book way too wordy, not adding much to the story's development or to the historical events of the story's backdrop. After several chapters, I then began to read about every 50 pages or so just to get through it. Not a recommended read!

I purchase a used copy of "The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. The book was advertised as "like new condition," and it was in perfect condition.

A rereading for me, our monthly book club selection, I had read this years before and loved it then. Seems like it is having a resurgence with its selection by Oprah of a new edition, and a sequel, World Without End, just released. An epic story of the lives of monks and villagers during the upheavels of twelfth century England, focused on the builders of a revolutionary new cathedral. An amazing plot with a new twist on every page. What a great read!

--Lee W.

I purchased this as a Christmas gift for my husband who is a marketing/sales exec in the building industry. Thought he would like the "architectural" aspect, but never expected him to really LOVE IT like he did! He's not much of a reader, but not a day went by that he wasn't telling me what page he was on. Of course, I didn't tell him until he finished it that it was an Oprah Book Club choice. We watched the Oprah interview with Mr. Follett and both of us were so impressed with his demeanor and determination in following his calling to writing even when it took awhile for his work to catch on! Can't wait to buy my husband the sequel......

I SAW THIS BOOK ON THE OPRAH SHOW AND BOUGHT IT. I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE HOW LONG IT WAS. I WAS A LITTLE LEARY ABOUT STARTING SUCH A LONG BOOK. I AM NOW ABOUT A THIRD OF THE WAY THROUGH AND I LOVE IT. GREAT BOOK.

It was on the favorite things giveaway on the Oprah show. I was surprised that it was l000pages but could hardly put it down. I really enjoyed it. It was written in the year 1135 about how the church in England was one of the main powerhouses and a masterbuilder building the first cathedrals. I enjoyed it so much that I also purchased on ebay the follow up World without End. It's also 1000pages but haven't started it yet. I love buying on ebay as you can find just about anything and the price you want to spend, or go to ebay express and get it right away.