The saga that has enthralled the millions of readers of The Pillars of the
Earth and World Without End now continues with Ken Follett's magnificent,
gripping A Column of Fire. Christmas 1558, and young Ned Willard returns home to
Kingsbridge to find his world has changed. The ancient stones of Kingsbridge
Cathedral look down on a city torn by religious hatred. Europe is in turmoil as
high principles clash bloodily with friendship, loyalty and love, and Ned soon
finds himself on the opposite side from the girl he longs to marry, Margery
Fitzgerald. Then Elizabeth Tudor becomes queen and all of 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. Elizabeth knows that alluring, headstrong Mary Queen of Scots
lies in wait in Paris. Part of a brutally ambitious French family, Mary has been
proclaimed the rightful ruler of England, with her own supporters scheming to
get rid of the new queen. Over a turbulent half-century, the love between Ned
and Margery seems doomed, as extremism sparks violence from Edinburgh to Geneva.
With Elizabeth clinging precariously to her throne and her principles, protected
by a small, dedicated group of resourceful spies and courageous secret agents,
it becomes clear that 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
the cost.