Reading Order
Pillars of the EarthThe Pillars of the Earth Reading Order
Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth (1989) is the first book in the Kingsbridge Series. The series currently includes four novels: The Pillars of the Earth (1989), World Without End (2007), A Column of Fire (2017), and The Armor of Light (2023). Each novel is set in the fictional English town of Kingsbridge across different centuries and can be read independently, though The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End form the most direct pair.
Where to start
The Pillars of the Earth
Complete Pillars of the Earth Book List
- 1Buy
The Pillars of the Earth
Ken Follett·1989·Begin here — the building of a cathedral in 12th-century England; prior master builder Tom and monk Philip against the corrupt Bishop Waleran; the novel that established Follett as a major historical fiction author - 2Buy
World Without End
Ken Follett·2007·Set 200 years later in the same Kingsbridge — the Black Death, the Hundred Years War, and four characters whose descendants include characters from Pillars; can be read independently - Buy
A Column of Fire
OptionalKen Follett·2017·Set in Elizabethan England — the Reformation, Mary Queen of Scots, and the Spanish Armada; the most politically complex novel in the series; can be read independently - Buy
The Armor of Light
OptionalKen Follett·2023·Set in the early 19th century — the Industrial Revolution in Kingsbridge; can be read independently
Pillars of the Earth — Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read The Pillars of the Earth before World Without End?
World Without End is set 200 years after The Pillars of the Earth in the same town and references it in minor ways — some characters are descendants of characters from the first novel. However, World Without End is fully self-contained and can be read without having read Pillars. Most readers read them in order; some prefer World Without End as the stronger novel.
Is The Pillars of the Earth a romance?
The Pillars of the Earth is primarily historical fiction — about the building of a cathedral in 12th-century England and the political and religious conflicts of the period. It contains significant romantic and sexual elements (including violence against women) as part of its panoramic portrait of medieval life. It is marketed as historical fiction rather than romance.
How long is The Pillars of the Earth?
The Pillars of the Earth is approximately 1,000 pages in most editions — one of the longest popular historical fiction novels. Many readers describe it as impossible to put down despite its length, because Follett's storytelling is structured around alternating perspectives and cliffhanger chapter endings that make the novel read faster than its size suggests.
How accurate is The Pillars of the Earth historically?
The novel is set during the civil war between King Stephen and Empress Maud (known as 'the Anarchy'), which is a real historical period in 12th-century England. The town of Kingsbridge and the cathedral are fictional, though modeled on real medieval English cathedrals — particularly Wells and Salisbury. Follett consulted extensively with cathedral builders and medieval historians. The broad outlines of English medieval society, church politics, and cathedral construction are accurate.
Monthly Newsletter
Never miss a big release
Get the most anticipated upcoming books delivered to your inbox once a month — no spam, no filler.
Monthly only. Unsubscribe anytime.
Book links are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, BookReleaseRadar earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.