Pillars of the Earth is one of the best books ever. I haven’t read much of Follett’s thrillers (I love his historical fiction), but Ill have to pick up a few based on your list. Thanks for the video!
I started pillars of the earth because of your channel. 550 pages in. Read it till 2 am last night lol. I just hit a point, and now all I want to do is finish this book. Follet will be part of my reading list a long time.
@@BranTheBald I read it for my summer reading for senior year of high school, definitely remember it being a page turner. I have no idea what I’d think of it as a whole now but at the time it was one of those 1,000 page epics that was good to get some experience with. The descriptions of the building of the cathedral in particular were very well done and interesting. It spans many years and involves many characters so that was also a cool part of the narrative.
I really enjoy your list videos! Keep making them. I don't even know who Ken Follett was, so this is a great way for someone who will just start reading an author.
First read pillars of the earth when I was 16. Just picked it up on a whim. I’ve read that book 3 separate times since then. He was the one that made me realize how much I actually love historical fiction way back when. Currently reading whiteout, I’ve been enjoying it
Great list and review! What an author! I am re-reading the Kingsbridge series right now! On the 3rd one!. Pillars, definitely in my top 10 of all time! Be well, stay safe!
This brings back memories! I devoured Ken Follet’s books during my late teens and early twenties. “Eye of the meddle”, “Pillars of the Earth” Ok… getting nostalgic now… Great video Mr. Durfee, thank you!!
Thanks so much for this great video. I stumbled upon Follett and have started with The Evening and the Morning (book 0 of the Kingsbridge Series). I simply cannot put the sucker down. It looks like I am really going to enjoy Follett’s novels!
absolutely nailed the number one, pillars is of epic greatness. also whiteout just awes with its fast pace like a blockbuster movie, once you start reading its hard to put down until it's finished
This was a cool video! I'll be honest, I'm still a newbie when it comes to Ken Follett, I started with Pillars of the Earth and fell head over heels -- I have since read all four Kingsbridge (World Without End right up there with Pillars). But I've been building a collection of his books, and I'm eager to read his Century trilogy, Eye/Needle and Place/Freedom.
What an awesome summary of Ken Follett's novels. I must admit I've never read a Ken Follett novel, but I will start now, particularly the WW2 ones. Are you a fan of Robert Harris and his WW2 novels? I particularly enjoyed Munich, and also V2.
I remember listening to “A Dangerous Fortune” while mopping floors overnight at my local grocery store chain in the mid-90’s. BTW, I believe “World Without End,” is a superior novel to “Pillars of the Earth.”
One of the very first adult fiction books I read after college was Fall of Giants, and absolutely devoured that trilogy - and that was about 9 years ago now. Still holds a place as one of my favorite series of all time. I snagged a signed copy of A Place Called Freedom off ebay and have yet to read it, and need to go back and give Pillars of the Earth a try. I think I got distracted the first time and never finished it.
I'm currently Burnt out on Fantasy, I love history and have always scene Ken's book's on my parents book shelves while growing up, so I'm going to start with "Eye of The Needle"
I have read many of his books, Eye of the needle was the first, I was snowed in at my inlaws home in Ohio, found it on a shelf and devoured it in one sitting. After that I was an instant fan.
Off topic, Brian, but I wish you'd review a trilogy called Raven's Mark by Ed McDonald. First person hero, a combo-platter of the Gunslinger, Black Company, Village of the Damned, Harry Dresden, post-apocalypse worse than Mad Max and all the characters have names like Redhair Skullsplitter & Sonya the Seductress.
I think World Without End is my favorite. High in the running for best book with worst adaptation (though no one can beat Wheel of Time in that category). I didn't get very far with The Evening and the Morning. I thought it read like a rough draft.
I generally agree with your list with a couple exceptions. The Edge of Eternity was full of Follett's politics. The Kenedy era went on far too long and the characters were unlikeable. A Dangerous Fortune and A Place Called Freedom I would rank higher. I didn't read Night Over Water for a long time because it looked boring but, it was surprisingly good.
I can never make up my mind weather to read the morning and the evening by ken follets before or after the trilogy? I really do not like spoilers but if needs must.
Urgh, I’ve only read A Place Called Freedom and I have to say I thought it was poor. Irritatingly simple and linear and predictable and lazy. It put me off reading any more of his books. I love big sweeping historical fiction, so should like him on paper.
Pillars of the Earth is one of the best books ever. I haven’t read much of Follett’s thrillers (I love his historical fiction), but Ill have to pick up a few based on your list. Thanks for the video!
I started pillars of the earth because of your channel. 550 pages in. Read it till 2 am last night lol. I just hit a point, and now all I want to do is finish this book. Follet will be part of my reading list a long time.
This is my next book to read in my list, I always see nothing but great things said about it
@@BranTheBald I read it for my summer reading for senior year of high school, definitely remember it being a page turner. I have no idea what I’d think of it as a whole now but at the time it was one of those 1,000 page epics that was good to get some experience with. The descriptions of the building of the cathedral in particular were very well done and interesting. It spans many years and involves many characters so that was also a cool part of the narrative.
theres a visual novel video game that's based off POTE thats also really really good
@BranTheBaonr if the best books ever!
I really enjoy your list videos! Keep making them.
I don't even know who Ken Follett was, so this is a great way for someone who will just start reading an author.
I'm a third of a way through the Eye of the Needle because of this channel! Thank you for helping me branch out!
I've also finished Jackdaws and working through A Dangerous Fortune at the moment. 4 weeks later...
First read pillars of the earth when I was 16. Just picked it up on a whim. I’ve read that book 3 separate times since then. He was the one that made me realize how much I actually love historical fiction way back when. Currently reading whiteout, I’ve been enjoying it
A place called freedom owe to be made into a movie…loved it.
Finished 'A dangerous fortune' the other day. Amazing.
GREAT vid Brian! Excellent assessments.
Another GREAT presentation!! Thanks, Brian!
I love Follett! Enjoying this
Great list and review! What an author! I am re-reading the Kingsbridge series right now! On the 3rd one!. Pillars, definitely in my top 10 of all time! Be well, stay safe!
thanks so much
This brings back memories! I devoured Ken Follet’s books during my late teens and early twenties. “Eye of the meddle”, “Pillars of the Earth” Ok… getting nostalgic now… Great video Mr. Durfee, thank you!!
I LOVE how you respectfully COVER your books!
Thanks so much for this great video. I stumbled upon Follett and have started with The Evening and the Morning (book 0 of the Kingsbridge Series). I simply cannot put the sucker down. It looks like I am really going to enjoy Follett’s novels!
absolutely nailed the number one, pillars is of epic greatness. also whiteout just awes with its fast pace like a blockbuster movie, once you start reading its hard to put down until it's finished
I have read them all and agree mostly wit the ratings. I am so glad to see someone else who covers their books with plastic.
Nice! Have you thought about ranking every Dan Simmons novels you’ve read?
This was a cool video! I'll be honest, I'm still a newbie when it comes to Ken Follett, I started with Pillars of the Earth and fell head over heels -- I have since read all four Kingsbridge (World Without End right up there with Pillars). But I've been building a collection of his books, and I'm eager to read his Century trilogy, Eye/Needle and Place/Freedom.
I really enjoyed the kingsbridge series so far I have only read the first book in the century trilogy
thanks for the comment
A Place called Freedom and Dangerous Fortune are really good.
What an awesome summary of Ken Follett's novels. I must admit I've never read a Ken Follett novel, but I will start now, particularly the WW2 ones. Are you a fan of Robert Harris and his WW2 novels? I particularly enjoyed Munich, and also V2.
Thanks!! Next read is Whiteout and Fall of Giants
Adding night over water to my tbr it sounds great....actually just brought the hardcover can't wait for it to arrive
I remember listening to “A Dangerous Fortune” while mopping floors overnight at my local grocery store chain in the mid-90’s. BTW, I believe “World Without End,” is a superior novel to “Pillars of the Earth.”
Key to Rebecca my #1. FYI : Get some post-it notes. Love Eye of the Needle. Restarting Pillsrs soon. Great Video!
One of the very first adult fiction books I read after college was Fall of Giants, and absolutely devoured that trilogy - and that was about 9 years ago now. Still holds a place as one of my favorite series of all time. I snagged a signed copy of A Place Called Freedom off ebay and have yet to read it, and need to go back and give Pillars of the Earth a try. I think I got distracted the first time and never finished it.
I'm currently Burnt out on Fantasy, I love history and have always scene Ken's book's on my parents book shelves while growing up, so I'm going to start with "Eye of The Needle"
We love to see it.
Oprah also loves The Pillars of the Earth.
Brian is basically Oprah.
I would say Brian is more like Harpo Marx, who is the opposite to Oprah.
Harpo Marx is very funny.
I heard about pillars of the earth because of oprah's book club it's the first book that I read of Ken's work
Fall of Giants is my favourite Follett book and Pillars is the second.
Great ranking video. The murder mysteries sound great
I began my first Ken Follett novel yesterday with The Pillars of the Earth. Really looking forward to it.
Is it one of your fave books ever?? 😊
I love a good book ranking.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading "On wings of Eagle"
Excellent!
I have read many of his books, Eye of the needle was the first, I was snowed in at my inlaws home in Ohio, found it on a shelf and devoured it in one sitting.
After that I was an instant fan.
Dear Brian, what do you use specifically to cover your books? 😮
Off topic, Brian, but I wish you'd review a trilogy called Raven's Mark by Ed McDonald. First person hero, a combo-platter of the Gunslinger, Black Company, Village
of the Damned, Harry Dresden, post-apocalypse worse than Mad Max and all the characters have names like Redhair Skullsplitter & Sonya the Seductress.
i will look it up
I think in a fire, I'd grab the Kingsbridge Series just after my LOTF set.
The only Follett book I own is “ A Dangerous Fortune “ and not really sure when I bought it. Definitely will give it a read in 2023 though.
its one of my favs
I think World Without End is my favorite. High in the running for best book with worst adaptation (though no one can beat Wheel of Time in that category). I didn't get very far with The Evening and the Morning. I thought it read like a rough draft.
Would The Armor of Light be number two?
I generally agree with your list with a couple exceptions. The Edge of Eternity was full of Follett's politics. The Kenedy era went on far too long and the characters were unlikeable.
A Dangerous Fortune and A Place Called Freedom I would rank higher. I didn't read Night Over Water for a long time because it looked boring but, it was surprisingly good.
Ya u can tell what side of the political spectrum Follett falls on
Thank you.
I can never make up my mind weather to read the morning and the evening by ken follets before or after the trilogy? I really do not like spoilers but if needs must.
I agree! High finance never makes interesting books!
I’m like number 115 yes!!
I've read all his books. The truly great are the first two of the Kingsbridge series. Others? Good, not great.
Brian you missed one of his best books Lie Down with Lions.
I never read that one
NEVER is horrible.
Yeah? Just bought it, it's a bit of a brick of a book! What didn't you like about it?
I agree. Juvenile characters and awful writing. I have my doubts whether Follett wrote it.
Urgh, I’ve only read A Place Called Freedom and I have to say I thought it was poor. Irritatingly simple and linear and predictable and lazy. It put me off reading any more of his books. I love big sweeping historical fiction, so should like him on paper.
We must not have read the same book….
You're cute, counting again and again.
You need to learn time periods, buddy.