A Column of Fire

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: John Lee

Abridged edition.

The enthralling saga that began in The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End 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 though 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.

A Column of Fire ....

An enjoyable story which for me was frustrated by the narration. I felt the narrator was guilty of continuously missing important punctuation which affected the flow of sentences. He also has an annoying way of dropping his tone on the last word of a sentence which again limits the flow and affects the presentation of the tale.