Books

First editions, first impressions, each inscribed by the author on the title page with his signature and the opening line of the book, of the first three titles in the Kingsbridge series. Follett has dated his inscription in A Column of Fire "21 Sept 17", being nine days following publication on the 12th. These historical novels present "as comprehensive an account of the building of a civilization - with its laws, structures, customs and beliefs - as you are likely to encounter anywhere in popular fiction. Perhaps the key to Follett's success is the way in which his gifts as a thriller writer have merged so seamlessly with the larger demands of historical fiction. Follett presents his worlds in granular detail, but the narratives never stand still" (Sheehan). The Pillars of the Earth is the export issue, with no price printed within the black rectangle on the jacket's front flap. In 2020 Ken Follett released its prequel, The Evening and the Morning, not included here. Bill Sheehan, "Ken Follett's 'Pillars of the Earth' prequel is just as transporting - and lengthy - as his famous epic", Washington Post, 21 Sept. 2010. Three vols, octavo. Original black, red, or blue boards, spines lettered in gilt or black, map or pictorial endpapers, A Column of Fire with black silk bookmarker. With dust jackets. Couple of light marks to edges of first and third works, otherwise fine, fresh copies in near-fine dust jackets, unclipped, slight creasing to The Pillars of the Earth, its spine sunned at foot, else bright, short closed tear and couple of tiny nicks to World without End, jackets sharp overall.

The Pillars of the Earth is a historical novel by Welsh author Ken Follett published in 1989 about the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge, England. It is set in the middle of the 12th century, primarily during the time of The Anarchy, between the time of the sinking of the White Ship and the murder of Thomas Becket. The book was highly successful and led to the Kingsbridge series.