Pillars of Earth books

Ken Follett's Kingsbridge series in reading order, including The Pillars of the Earth and all five novels set in the English cathedral town.

Kingsbridge Reading Order

Title Published Buy on Amazon
The Pillars of the Earth 1989 Buy
World Without End 2007 Buy
A Column of Fire 2017 Buy
The Evening and the Morning 2020 Buy
The Armor of Light 2023 Buy

The Kingsbridge novels are a series of historical epics by Ken Follett, set in and around the fictional English cathedral town of Kingsbridge. The series began with The Pillars of the Earth (1989), which follows the building of a cathedral in 12th-century England and became one of the best-selling historical novels of all time. Follett returned to the setting nearly two decades later with World Without End (2007), set in the same town during the 14th century.

A Column of Fire (2017) moves the story forward to the Elizabethan era, while The Evening and the Morning (2020) is actually a prequel set in the 10th century, before Kingsbridge even has its cathedral. The Armor of Light (2023) is the most recent entry, set during the Industrial Revolution. Each book spans several decades and follows multiple characters across different social classes as they deal with war, plague, religious conflict, and political intrigue. The books work as standalones, but together they trace nearly a thousand years of English history through one town.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in Ken Follett's Kingsbridge series?

Ken Follett has written five Kingsbridge novels, published between 1989 and 2023.

What is the first Kingsbridge book?

The first Kingsbridge book is The Pillars of the Earth, published in 1989.

Should the Kingsbridge books be read in publication order or chronological order?

The Kingsbridge books can be read in either order. Publication order starts with The Pillars of the Earth (set in the 12th century), while chronological order starts with The Evening and the Morning (set in the 10th century). Most readers start with The Pillars of the Earth since it was the first written and introduces the town of Kingsbridge.

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