The Pillars of the Earth
Kingsbridge, Book 1
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The Pillars of the Earth
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Narrated by:
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John Lee
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By:
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Ken Follett
About this listen
A spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy and absolute power set against the sprawling medieval canvas of twelfth-century England, The Pillars of the Earth is Ken Follett's classic historical masterpiece.
A MASON WITH A DREAM
1135 and civil war, famine and religious strife abound. With his family on the verge of starvation, mason Tom Builder dreams of the day that he can use his talents to create and build a cathedral like no other.
A MONK WITH A BURNING MISSION
Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, is resourceful, but with money scarce he knows that for his town to survive it must find a way to thrive, and so he makes the decision to build within it the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has ever known.
A WORLD OF HIGH IDEALS AND SAVAGE CRUELTY
As Tom and Philip meet so begins an epic tale of ambition, anarchy and absolute power. In a world beset by strife and enemies that would thwart their plans, they will stop at nothing to achieve their ambitions in a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state, and brother against brother . . .
The Pillars of the Earth is the first in The Kingsbridge Novels series, followed by World Without End and A Column of Fire.
More than 175 million copies sold worldwide. Published in over eighty territories and thirty-seven languages. The international No. 1 bestselling phenomenon returns.
Editorial reviews
Award-winning novelist Ken Follett is at his most magnificent in Pillars of the Earth, Book 1 of the trilogy series by the same name, narrated by professional voice artist John Lee. This incredible book has been voted in the top 100 of Britain’s Best Loved Books in the BBC The Big Read. The scope of detail in this audiobook is unparalleled. Its intricate plot is weaved with history, religion, politics, love and dishonour. It is an all-encompassing saga, delicately capturing the very core of existence in 12th-century England. Available now from Audible.
Critic reviews
"Enormous and brilliant...this mammoth tale seems to touch all human emotion - love and hate, loyalty and treachery, hope and despair. This is truly a novel to get lost in." (Cosmopolitan)
"A historical saga of such breadth and density.... Follett succeeds brilliantly in combining hugeness and detail to create a novel imbued with the rawness, violence and blind faith of the era." (Sunday Express)
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What listeners say about The Pillars of the Earth
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Louise
- 02-06-13
Wonderful
Would you consider the audio edition of The Pillars of the Earth to be better than the print version?
I think book and audio edition equal....why haven't i read/listened to Follett before now!!!!!....Cannot wait to try his other works.
What did you like best about this story?
The characters were believable.
Have you listened to any of John Lee’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
Not sure, but I did find John Lee's performance comfortable to listen too, would gladly listen to more of his works.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
No
Any additional comments?
Just that I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pauline
- 09-08-24
excellent narration
an insight into life of that period.and historical facts. Ken Follett supplied a lot of technical detail regarding the construction of a cathedral which was very interesting to me
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jacobus
- 11-13-10
At lomg last... the unabridged version
Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth is a book on intrigue, romance, strife and the building of a cathedral. Like War and Peace and some of the older classics you are confronted with more of the characters' lives than usual. However, you are not wondering about the main characters.
Although a long listen, this book is worth it. The narrator, John Lee, was able to bring this monumental work of Follett sufficiently to life. He pulled you through the one or two places of boredom.
For those who have or are watching the television series, the book and the series differs substantially. This leaves certain things unpredictable.
The book comes highly recommended.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Cheryl
- 07-15-11
Wonderful Narration
A rich absorbing book with a spellbinding narration. I loved the change of pace and subtlety of the narrator.
Another Ken Follett masterpiece!
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Feisty
- 07-12-17
Fantastic plots
This book was recommended to me and it did not fail to intrigue and keep me on the edge of my seat.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 09-07-21
Review
I read the book years ago. Loved the book and loved the audio. Took me to the churches in Europe in my head.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Renee Otmar
- 10-15-18
Unputdownable
So many reviews have been written about this book already, so I hardly need to add to them. Suffice to say that i could not put it down – the audiobook followed me into the shower and the garden, onto the road and walking around my neighbourhood. Absolutely brilliant story, impeccable prose. My only criticism is that with a book this long I would have preferred more than one narrator, especially with so many key characters – but let that not detract from the wonderful narration of John Lee.
About the reviewer: My reviews may be critical but never unkind or malicious. I am a voracious reader who consumes books in print and audio – fiction, non-fiction and professional reference – in equal measure, and my reviews reflect this wide readership.
#UnlikelyHero #Suspenseful #Medieval #FamilySaga # Epic #tagsgiving #sweepstakes
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Molly
- 12-21-17
An Epic Read
If you like historical fiction then you will love this book. Meticulous in detail yet a riveting story that grabs attention from the first words and totally enhanced by terrific narration. Am immensely engrossing & enjoyable read.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- lynn
- 09-18-12
excellent read
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Yes, Ken Follett has the gift for writing novels based on history. He does not use foul and obscene language
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- wilson
- 03-14-21
Unputtable down
Well written book interwoven with all the ingredients of a good story treachery and greed, power and money, love and jealousy. All the while keeping to the key subject of building of the early church buildings
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