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I am currently rereading The Pillars of the Earth. I have been a big fan of Ken Follett since early in his career - reading the spy and espionage type books he is so well-know for. This book is quite a deviation from his other work. But the character development and intricate plots are definitely Follett through and through. I remember now how the story brings out many emotions in me and causes me to lose sleep (I can’t put it down!)

Some of the characters you will love; some you will absolutely hate, but you will get a great feel for the era. Mr. Follett states in the introduction that he had done a lot of research for this book and it shows. His knowledge of cathedral construction is phenomenal. If you are looking for a good read for a winter day, The Pillars of the Earth is a good choice.

Sorry, I will not be giving this book away, it is going back on my shelf to wait for a 3rd read at some point in the future!

This is a book I just picked up at the local used book store. I had forgotten that I had read it a few years ago until I started rereading it. Every once in a while I indulge myself in some historic fiction as I almost feel like I am learning something about our heritage. Whether the novel is historically accurate is a question that is better left answered by the historians - but the story line is well crafted and the characters are very believable. Ms. Holland write primarily historic fiction and her personal website is http://www.thefiredrake.com/

The New York Times Book Review, Paula Friedman
Set in mid-19th-century California, Cecelia Holland’s 23rd historical novel winds in and around the Southern Pacific Railroad’s plan to use Los Angeles as its southern terminus. Holland’s renditions of the desolately beautiful landscapes of the region, with its dusty frontier towns and vast stretches of dry wilderness, bring a sharply haunting physicality to her story. But while the railroad’s schemes may be integral to the novel’s plot, they are upstaged by the relationships that develop among a small band of outlaws whose members are hoping to make their own profit from the conquest of the West.

I am done with this book and will send it to the first person who registers and posts a reply to this posting. See the About page for more details. If this book has been given away, you can always buy a copy at Amazon.