Rating: 
Summary: Captivating read
Review: One of those books you just can't put down. Take the phone off the hook, don't answer the door, find a warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate --heaven.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Miss It!
Review: In recent months, PILLARS OF THE EARTH has spread like word-of-mouth wildfire through my circle of family and friends. It has become one of the most talked-about and widely read books among my acquaintances...and for good reason: It's one of the best novels I've ever read.It all started early this year when we attended a tour of Mont St. Michel in France. Near the end, the tour guide indicated that if we "really wanted to understand" the medieval mind, we should read PILLARS. I had never read any of Follett's books before, but I vaguely recalled him as some sort of espionage writer. Nevertheless, I gave PILLARS a try upon my return to the states, and was thoroughly engrossed. Anyone who has stared with awe upon the great cathedrals of Europe such as Chartres in France has wondered how they were built, who was responsible, what drove the hearts and minds of these long-ago architectural geniuses who etched the record of their religious conviction literally into stone. PILARS OF THE EARTH brings the era to life, in the decades-spanning tale of the creation of (fictional?) Kingsbridge Cathedral. The characters are real people; full of passions, triumph and tragedy, and their world is as real as if we were breathing their same air. Any criticism one could air about this book would be a mere quibble compared to the narratives power to entertain, inform, and bring a lost world back into existence. Trust me, you'll always remember PILLARS OF THE EARTH. (After reading it, I've gone on to discover other Follett novels...they've all been wonderful).
Rating:
Summary: Masterful
Review: With so many reviews already here, I'll keep this one simple: Have you ever read a 500+ page book that you wished didn't end? If not, read this one! The only disappointment was that I had to get to the last page eventually!
Rating: 
Summary: Boring, cliched, repetitive
Review: This book was terrible! What is the matter with all these people who think it's so great? I almost quit reading it a couple times because the plot was so tedious and repetitive and when I did finish, I felt like I'd wasted a big chunk of time on a massive piece of fluff!
Rating:
Summary: History and Architecture together
Review: This is a great book. Follett is one of my favored writers. This book is another fine example. The depth of the characters is immense. The attention to detail when describing the surroundings. The detailed explainations of the technologies they were used during this time period. Everything mixed together to make a well rounded, very readable book. At times, the plot is very sad.... At others, you can't put the book down because so much is happening... This is one of my favorites.
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: This book was amazing! I have read it six times in about 2 months. The first time I read it straight through, start to finish, in 4 hours. It's a masterpiece!!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Tale
Review: This was my first encounter with Ken Follett's writing, and I was highly impressed. I'm no expert on 12th century English life, but the details in the story left me with the feeling that Follett really knew his stuff. I had no problem picturing every scene, the characters were well-rounded and interesting, and the ending was satisfying. The story spans several years, and deals with civil war, famine, poverty, and political struggles in both the secular and religious government. The conflicts are viewed from widely varied characters, most notably a builder, an outlaw, various nobles, and a monk. I have read some comments that the sex and fighting scenes were too drawn out, but based upon the abridged audio version, I do not agree.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best
Review: Set in the 12th century, Ken Follett skillfully weaves historical facts into a story with personal conflict and ambition. The result is brilliant - one of the best books I have read. There are surprises galore as the cast of characters interact with each other. It even moved me to go and do some follow up research into that period in England. Thoroughly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: unable to put down
Review: What a wonderful reading experience. I started this book thinking i would most likely not enjoy it, but once i got started, i couldn't put it down. I am only in high school, but the different story lines all going on at once were just fantastic, and the book really got me more interested in reading. It is a well-written, mature book that would interest most anyone. There is a mixture of romance, adventure, drama, and rivalry, and it is rare to find all of these features in one plot. I highly recomend this book to anyone!
Rating:
Summary: The best book I've read in a very long time.
Review: This is the first book I've read by Ken Follett and certainly not the last. I felt as though the characters were my right in front of me and the challenges they faced very real. It's so refreshing to be entertained with a fresh plot and intriguing twists and turns. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to be swept away to another place in time.
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