Comments (35)

What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 35 items
Dec 02, 2023Lucky1920 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Hard to go wrong with Ken Follett. The level of detail about the lives of people in this time period is amazing.
Sep 06, 2023
#1 in the Ken Follett Kingsbridge Series, followed by #2 Pillars of the Earth. A very long read, but very enjoyable about the church builders in medival England, corrupt church hierarchy.
Jul 28, 2023
#4
May 19, 2023jasnadzinic rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Another amazing book by Ken Follett.
Feb 24, 2023Anita_Dickey rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I read this book for the 52 books in 52 weeks reading challenge. I used the 2023 reading challenge prompt read a book with a time in the title. I like this series very much. This is the prequel to the kingbridge trilogy, but it is not…
Aug 23, 2022Eil_1 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Another interesting novel by Follett. As he points out, there is very little data to be obtained about the Dark Ages. Nevertheless, he navigates a likely history of life during that time. I should mention that 'Pillars of the Earth" was…
Jun 19, 2022
5 stars. This book is the prequel to my favourite book "The Pillars of the Earth" and it was a wonderful read, although hefty at over 900 pages. Follett is a terrific story teller. This book starts in the late 900's and tells us the…
Jan 29, 2022sjohnston149 rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
My least favourite of the Kingsbridge series. It's basically the same plot as Pillars of the Earth and World Without End (guy wants to build something, moustache twirling villain tries to stop him with a side plot involving a high born…
Jan 19, 2022cbader52 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Love Follet and his historical fiction. This one takes place at the turn of hte 1st Millenium at the end of the Dark Ages. It is a tough time. The king doesn't wield a l lot of power and local lords and bishops are the main power. Our…
Jan 16, 2022dmeuler27 rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
couldnt finish
Dec 02, 2021Memawrayne rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
AMAZING book. I loved the others in the series and this just continues that enjoyment.
Oct 22, 2021vega6e rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I had gotten the idea this was a prequal to Pillars of the Earth, it really isn't. See Mariammoore11's comments. I enjoyed it but very similar.
Jul 23, 2021mariamoore11 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
It was basically the same as Pillars of the Earth. Very similar characters and conflicts. Still a fun read, and I like the historical context, but very predictable.
Apr 16, 2021
I am returning this book after reading only to Chapter 11, which is unusual for me. That is, I try and read a book all the way through even if I may not be enjoying it. However, I am really disappointed in the writing "dialogue", as I like…
Apr 12, 2021MrsRedbeard rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent read, Follett takes you away. Even if have not read the trilogy, read this.
Apr 10, 2021BellJuju rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Wonderful book, just like the first three in the Kingsbridge series. Only one minor dig: wish the books had been published closer together so that I could better remember details of each book. Unfortunately, I don't like these books…
Mar 10, 2021tjdickey rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Follet's long-awaited prequel to the "Pillars of the Earth" series is well-conceived, rich in mundane details, and action-packed. Some of the moral questions raised by his characters seem either too distinct (unrepentant evil at the heart…
Feb 27, 2021512cadcock rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book caught my eye being set in the Middle Ages (which I know little about) in England (where my ancestors are from). I learned some interesting things about life in that time and place that I’m assuming are historically accurate.…
Feb 19, 2021
Over 900 pages of descriptive and passionate writing on the ancient world during a time when humans still slept on beds of straw. A prerequisite to the Knightsbridge Trilogy, it's flowing with romantic, charismatic and fact-based…
Feb 13, 2021HooeyB rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Enjoyed this as much as pillars of the earth, these time periods intrigue me, good characters
Jan 12, 2021
I could not wait for the print book so I downloaded the eBook and read this on my phone until my eyes bugged out! WHEW! “Pillars of the Earth” is one of my favorite books and, in my opinion, this prequel was easily as good. From reading…
Dec 15, 2020jb4409 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
963 pages and my only regret is that weren't more. I couldn't put it down but that's just me. I see from other comments that some people were disappointed but I admire someone who can write a story this interesting.
Nov 11, 2020Einer2 rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
An easy although very long read but I didn't feel it comes to the level of his earlier works. Eye of the Needle and Pillars of the Earth for example are great books. I had a similar disappointment in the books in the Kingsbridge series…
Nov 10, 2020jeancausey rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
First, a note to e-readers... On my small iphone I found the map picture unreadable. And the narrative was useless for creating a mental map of the travel paths of the characters. Eventually I pulled up the paper-book page on amazon, and…
Nov 08, 2020dontbugmeimreading rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Pillars of the Earth is one of my favourite books so I was so excited to see that Ken Follett had written a prequel to it. I haven't read Pillars for a while but I have to say this this one seemed very similar to what I remember of it:…