{"product_id":"a-column-of-fire-isbn-9780525954972","title":"A Column of Fire","description":"\u003cb\u003e#1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003eBestseller\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Absorbing . . . impossible to resist.” \u003ci\u003e—The Washington Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eAs Europe erupts, can one young spy protect his queen? Ken Follett takes us deep into the treacherous world of powerful monarchs, intrigue, murder, and treason with his magnificent epic, \u003ci\u003eA Column of Fire\u003c\/i\u003e—the chronological latest in the Kingsbridge series, following \u003ci\u003eThe Pillars of the Earth, World Without End\u003c\/i\u003e, and the prequel, \u003ci\u003eThe Evening and the Morning\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNed 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExciting and ambitious, and set during one of the most turbulent and revolutionary times in history, \u003ci\u003eA Column of Fire\u003c\/i\u003e will delight longtime fans of the Kingsbridge series and serve as the perfect introduction for readers new to Ken Follett.\u003cb\u003eRecommended reading by * The Washington Post * USA Today * New York Post * The Christian Science Monitor * The Philadelphia Inquirer *\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Deeply researched . . . compelling . . . \u003ci\u003eA Column of Fire\u003c\/i\u003e is absorbing, painlessly educational, and a great deal of fun.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e—The Washington Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e“Follett’s historical epics, including this one, evoke the Romantic adventures of Alexandre Dumas. Derring-do and double-crosses . . . \u003ci\u003eA Column of Fire\u003c\/i\u003e burns bright throughout.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e—The Christian Science Monitor\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Full of adventure and suspense, \u003ci\u003eA Column of Fire\u003c\/i\u003e is an inspiring and thrilling portrait of one of Europe’s most perilous times in history.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e—BookPage\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Fans of Follett's epic sagas \u003ci\u003eThe Pillars of the Earth\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eWorld Without End\u003c\/i\u003e, set in the Middle Ages in the fictional city of Kingsbridge, will be thrilled by this latest installment.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e—New York Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “[Follett is a] master of the sweeping, readable epic.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e—The Philadelphia Inquirer\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“English-history mavens will find much to savor in Follett’s third Kingsbridge novel.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e—AARP The Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “A fiery tale set in the latter half of the sixteenth century . . . As always, Follett excels in historical detailing, transporting readers back in time with another meaty historical blockbuster.” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e—\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “An immersive journey through the tumultuous world of 16th century Europe and some of the bloodiest religious wars in history. Follett’s sprawling novel is a fine mix of heart-pounding drama and erudite historicism.” \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e—Publishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eKen Follett\u003c\/b\u003e is one of the world’s best-loved authors, selling more than 160 million copies of his thirty books. Follett’s first bestseller was \u003ci\u003eEye of the Needle\u003c\/i\u003e, a spy story set in the Second World War. \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e In 1989 \u003ci\u003eThe Pillars of the Earth \u003c\/i\u003ewas published and has since become Follett’s most popular novel. It reached number one on bestseller lists around the world and was an Oprah’s Book Club pick.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e Its sequel, \u003ci\u003eWorld Without End\u003c\/i\u003e, proved equally popular and the Kingsbridge series has sold 38 million copies worldwide.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e Follett lives in Hertfordshire, England, with his wife Barbara. Between them they have five children, six grandchildren, and three Labradors.Prologue\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe hanged him in front of Kingsbridge Cathedral. It is the usual place for executions. After all, if you can’t kill a man in front of God’s face you probably shouldn’t kill him at all.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe sheriff brought him up from the dungeon below the guildhall, hands tied behind his back. He walked upright, his pale face defiant, fearless. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe crowd jeered at him and cursed him. He seemed not to see them. But he saw me. Our eyes met, and in that momentary exchange of looks there was a lifetime. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI was responsible for his death, and he knew it. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI had been hunting him for decades. He was a bomber who would have killed half the rulers of our country, including most of the royal family, all in one act of bloodthirsty savagery—if I had not stopped him. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI have spent my life tracking such would‑be murderers, and a lot of them have been executed—not just hanged but drawn and quartered, the more terrible death reserved for the worst offenders. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, I have done this many times: watched a man die knowing that I, more than anyone else, had brought him to his just but dreadful punishment. I did it for my country, which is dear to me; for my sovereign, whom I serve; and for something else, a principle, the belief that a person has the right to make up his own mind about God.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe was the last of many men I sent to hell, but he made me think of the first . . .","brand":"Viking","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46304209797349,"sku":"NP9780525954972","price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780525954972.jpg?v=1767720373","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/a-column-of-fire-isbn-9780525954972","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}