the pillars of the earth  <p><i>the pillars of the earth</i> tells the story of philip, prior of kingsbridge, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest gothic cathedral the world has known...of tom, the mason who becomes his architect - a man divided in his soul...of the beautiful, elusive lady aliena, haunted by a secret shame...and of a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state, and brother against brother. </p> <p>a spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power set against the sprawling medieval canvas of 12th century england, this is ken follett's historical masterpiece.</p>