A Column of Fire

The Groundbreaking Historical Novel from the No. 1 Bestseller

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: John Lee

The page-turning historical saga that began in The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End, which now continues with Ken Follett's magnificent, masterful A Column of Fire.

A World in Turmoil

1558, and Europe is in revolt as religious hatred sweeps the continent. Elizabeth Tudor has ascended to the throne but she is not safe in this dangerous new world. There are many who would see her removed, not least Mary Queens of Scots, who lies in wait in Paris.

A New Order

Elizabeth determines to set up a new secret service: a group of resourceful spies and courageous agents entrusted to keep her safe and in power. As she searches for those who will make the difference, one man stands out.

A Man Who Would Die for His Queen

For Ned Willard the opportunity to serve his queen is God-sent. He cannot stay in Kingsbridge and watch the love of his life marry another, and as fires burn and extremism begins to spark throughout Europe, Ned makes his choice. He will spend his life protecting his monarch from the tyrants who aim to destroy her or die trying . . .

Critic reviews

Follett's storytelling skills make their adventures riveting

Deploying a substantial cast of characters, Follett unrolls a familiar history of religious and political ferment and turns it into accessible and enjoyable fiction

This triumphant saga, begun almost 30 years ago with The Pillars Of The Earth, moves across England to Scotland, France and the New World

A sumptuous slice of swashbuckling Elizabethan romance

The characters, both fictional and real, are fascinating, and the Tudor period setting holds its own special allure. This is a novel that fans of historical fiction will savour and cherish

A huge read, perfect for long winter nights

A thundering ride through history

Follett has once more lit the touch paper of English history and allowed it to explode across the pages in in all its vivid technicolour

A1

Listened to this book every waking moment I had! Great story by Ken Follett and great storytelling by John Lee!

Educational and entertaining

For someone with only a vague grasp of the politics of England and Western Europe at this time, I enjoyed the historical backdrop to the story. I would understand people with good knowledge of this period being somewhat frustrated, but this book provided me a relaxed way to understand the background to what is the culture I inherited.

Love this story

once again i was enchanted by the lives lived in Kingsbridge. will miss it...maybe another book will come along

Ned Willett

A little confusing in Paris with the characters but soon got to understand who was who. I love the realising of Ken Follett’s stories. I have to say that John Lee is the best narrator in my opinion, he has all the characters and you just instinctively know who is ‘talking’ in the story. All in all it’s a great story, great narration and I look forward to the next book on Audible.

Another classic Kingsbridge saga!

This was another classic Ken Follett read for me. Full of interesting characters on both sides of the historical divides which Ken is so good at depicting and washing over his fictional Kingsbridge, and its beloved townsfolk and characters.

I like his interpretation (fictional) of how the real events of the day unfolded, and why, and how the Kingsbridge folk were involved.

Some of the plot was a little bit predictable, but the characters were full of intrigue and listening to it on Audible with John Lee's narration and superb characterisation and accents - particularly of Piérre Ormonde de Geez ... who was an absolute sleaze! :-)

Thoroughly enjoyable read/listen! highly recommend for anyone who vaguely enjoyed Pillars of the Earth or World Without End, both of which are not a required pre-read at all.