The Pillars of the Earth

Historical fiction for "Game of Thrones" fans.

Set in the 12th century in a true period of civil wars in England known as “The Anarchy,” this absolute tome of a novel follows the ambition of a small village named Kingsbridge to construct a massive gothic cathedral. Not a big fan of architecture? Not a problem! The cathedral is a backdrop to the book’s interwoven character-driven sagas: the honorable master builder, the scorned noblewoman out for vengeance, the scheming bishop, and the forest witch. Through rich and immersive historic detail, the novel shows how the wars of nobles affect the lives (for better or worse) of everyday medieval people. You will love the heroes, hate the villains, and find yourself rooting for an impossible-seeming cathedral. Check out the two sequels that together make up the Kingsbridge Trilogy.