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The Pillars of the Earth - Limited Signed Edition Hardcover - 2008

by Ken Follett

About this book

The Pillars of the Earth is an historical novel by Welsh author Ken Follett that centers on the building of a Gothic cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge, England in the mid-twelfth century. Set against the backdrop of The Anarchy after the sinking of a ship containing King Henry I’s only legitimate heir, the story interweaves themes of intrigue, conspiracy, politics and religion as master builder Tom Builder and the visionary Prior Philip build a cathedral over 50 years. An Oprah Book Club selection in 2007, it was made into an eight-part miniseries in 2010. 

Published in 1989, Pillars of the Earth was a major departure from Follett’s usual spy and thriller genre, but was enormously successful and continues to be so. In 2007 he published a long-awaited sequel World Without End, and later A Column of Fire in 2017 as the third book in the Kingsbridge Series.

First Edition Identification

The true first edition of Pillars of the Earth is the UK edition, published by Macmillan in black cloth with gilt spine lettering, in a pictorial jacket featuring lightening striking a distant cathedral. As is customary for Macmillan UK, the first edition reads “First published 1989” on the copyright page. The first US edition was published subsequently in tan boards and a jacket featuring a gargoyle. It has a number line on the copyright page that starts with one and is noted “First Edition”. First UK editions might currently fetch $300-500, depending on whether it’s signed (Follett’s signature is not uncommon) and US editions $150-250.

Details

  • Title The Pillars of the Earth - Limited Signed Edition
  • Author Ken Follett
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition Limited Edition
  • Publisher Macmillan, London
  • Date 2008
  • ISBN 9780230736351

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