Next Book in the Series Browse A–Z
This site contains affiliate links. The creator of this site may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Kingsbridge

by Ken Follett

5 books Started 1989 Latest 2023
Publication Reading Order

The Kingsbridge is a Historical Fiction / Crime Fiction series by Ken Follett, made up of 5 books published between 1989 and 2023. It begins with The Pillars of the Earth (1989), and is best read in publication order. The most recent entry is The Armor of Light (2023), spanning 34 years of storytelling.

5books
34years active
4decades
~8.5yrs between books
2023latest release

Kingsbridge series: frequently asked questions

What order should I read the Kingsbridge series?

Start with The Pillars of the Earth (1989), the first book in the Kingsbridge series by Ken Follett. Follow the books in publication order for the best reading experience.

How many books are in the Kingsbridge series?

There are 5 books in the Kingsbridge series by Ken Follett, published between 1989 and 2023.

What is the first book in the Kingsbridge series?

The first book in the Kingsbridge series is The Pillars of the Earth, published in 1989 by Ken Follett.

What is the latest book in the Kingsbridge series?

The most recent book in the Kingsbridge series is The Armor of Light (2023) by Ken Follett.

**Ken Follett** (born 5 June 1949) is a Welsh author of thrillers and historical fiction. His books have sold over 170 million copies worldwide. Born in Cardiff, Wales, Follett graduated from University College London and worked as a journalist before becoming a full-time author in 1974. He began with spy thrillers, including "The Eye of the Needle" (1978) and "The Key to Rebecca" (1980). Follett's transition to historical fiction brought him critical and commercial acclaim with "The Pillars of the Earth" (1989), an epic about the construction of a medieval cathedral. Its success spawned two sequels and a prequel. Other notable works include "World Without End" (2007), "Jackdaws" (2001), and "The Evening and the Morning" (2020). Follett has received numerous awards, including the Golden Dagger Award from the Crime Writers' Association. His books have been praised for their historical detail, intricate plots, and compelling characters. Follett's work has been translated into over 80 languages and his books have been adapted into television and film.

View all Ken Follett series →

About the Kingsbridge series

Ken Follett's Kingsbridge novels are monumental historical epics built around a single English town across the centuries. "The Pillars of the Earth" follows the building of a medieval cathedral and the generations whose ambitions, loves and rivalries shape it — a vast, gripping tapestry of power, faith and craft.

Follett's gift is making centuries-old struggles feel urgent and human: ambitious builders, ruthless nobles, and ordinary people caught in the gears of history. Each book is enormous and utterly absorbing.

The novels span different eras of Kingsbridge and largely stand alone. Many start with "The Pillars of the Earth," though the prequel "The Evening and the Morning" opens the timeline earliest.