A spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power set against the sprawling medieval canvas of twelfth-century England, "The Pillars of the Earth" is Ken Follett's classic historical masterpiece.

A mason with a dream: In 1135, amidst civil war, famine, and religious strife, mason Tom Builder dreams of the day he can use his talents to create and build a cathedral like no other.

A monk with a burning mission: Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, is resourceful, but with money scarce, he knows that for his town to survive, it must find a way to thrive. He decides to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has ever known.

A world of high ideals and savage cruelty: As Tom and Philip meet, an epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power begins. In a world beset by strife and enemies that would thwart their plans, they will stop at nothing to achieve their ambitions in a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state and brother against brother.

"The Pillars of the Earth" is the first in The Kingsbridge Novels series, followed by "World Without End" and "A Column of Fire." More than 175 million copies sold worldwide, published in over eighty territories and thirty-seven languages. The international No. 1 bestselling phenomenon returns.