#1 New York Times Bestseller
"Absorbing . . . impossible to resist." --The Washington Post
As Europe erupts, can one young spy protect his queen? Ken Follett takes
us deep into the treacherous world of powerful monarchs, intrigue,
murder, and treason with his magnificent epic, A Column of Fire--the
chronological latest in the Kingsbridge series, following The Pillars
of the Earth, World Without End, and the prequel, The Evening and the
Morning.
In 1558, the ancient stones of Kingsbridge Cathedral look down on a city
torn apart by religious conflict. As power in England shifts
precariously between Catholics and Protestants, royalty and commoners
clash, testing friendship, loyalty, and love.
Ned Willard wants nothing more than to marry Margery Fitzgerald. But
when the lovers find themselves on opposing sides of the religious
conflict dividing the country, Ned goes to work for Princess Elizabeth.
When she becomes queen, all Europe turns against England. The shrewd,
determined young monarch sets up the country's first secret service to
give her early warning of assassination plots, rebellions, and invasion
plans. Over a turbulent half century, the love between Ned and Margery
seems doomed as extremism sparks violence from Edinburgh to Geneva.
Elizabeth clings to her throne and her principles, protected by a small,
dedicated group of resourceful spies and courageous secret agents.
The real enemies, then as now, are not the rival religions. The true
battle pitches those who believe in tolerance and compromise against the
tyrants who would impose their ideas on everyone else--no matter what
the cost.
Exciting and ambitious, and set during one of the most turbulent and
revolutionary times in history, A Column of Fire will delight longtime
fans of the Kingsbridge series and serve as the perfect introduction for
readers new to Ken Follett.
