A Column of Fire: A Novel#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “Absorbing . . . impossible to resist.” —The Washington Post As Europe erupts, can one young spy protect his queen? #1 New York Times bestselling author Ken Follett takes us deep into the treacherous world of powerful monarchs, intrigue, murder, and treason with his magnificent new epic, A Column of Fire. A thrilling read that makes the perfect gift for the holidays. 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. Set during one of the most turbulent and revolutionary times in history, A Column of Fire is one of Follett’s most exciting and ambitious works yet. It will delight longtime fans of the Kingsbridge series and is the perfect introduction for readers new to Ken Follett. |
Contents
Section 19 | 563 |
Section 20 | 570 |
Section 21 | 602 |
Section 22 | 635 |
Section 23 | 651 |
Section 24 | 680 |
Section 25 | 712 |
Section 26 | 756 |
Section 9 | 202 |
Section 10 | 251 |
Section 11 | 290 |
Section 12 | 312 |
Section 13 | 385 |
Section 14 | 405 |
Section 15 | 449 |
Section 16 | 471 |
Section 17 | 494 |
Section 18 | 538 |
Section 27 | 788 |
Section 28 | 812 |
Section 29 | 837 |
Section 30 | 848 |
Section 31 | 884 |
Section 32 | 905 |
Section 33 | 911 |
Section 34 | 913 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Alain Alice Alison Antwerp armada asked Barney Barney's barrels Bart Bartlet bishop Calais Cardinal Charles Carlos Castle Caterina cathedral Catholic Cecil church Cobley Coligny Combe Harbour crowd Donal door dressed duke of Guise Ebrima Elizabeth Tudor England English eyes face father Fawkes felt Fitzgerald France French galleon Gaspard de Coligny gave girl going guessed Guise family guns hand heard Henri Huguenots Isabelle Jean Langlais Julius kill King Felipe Kingsbridge kissed knew Langlais Le Pin looked Louviers Margery Margery's marry Mary Stuart Mary's men-at-arms mother Ned's never nodded Odette palace Paris perhaps Philbert Pierre Aumande Pierre's priests Protestantism Protestants Queen Elizabeth Rasteau realized Rollo Scarface seemed Seville ships Sir Reginald smiled someone Spanish Spanish armada spoke stared stood sure Sylvie Sylvie's talk tavern tell thought Throckmorton told took turned voice waiting walked Walsingham watched Willard wine woman young