Die wahre Geschichte von Robin Hood: Vom Mönch zum Gesetzlosen, vom Piraten zur Legende Exzellent recherchiert, spannend geschrieben, mitreißend erzählt: Das Leben des historischen Robin Hood war so spannend wie ein Abenteuerroman. Normandie, 1203: Eine Intrige zerstört die Zukunft des jungen Adligen Eustache Busqués. Enteignet und für vogelfrei erklärt, flieht er in die Wälder und bekämpft jene, die ihn zu Fall brachten. Als er gefasst wird, kann er entkommen und beginnt ein neues Leben als Pirat. Bei einem Beutezug gerät die selbstbewusste und schöne Héloise d’Évrecy in seine Gewalt, die gegen ihren Willen verheiratet werden soll. Gemeinsam schmieden sie einen Plan, der ihr die Freiheit und ihm Vergeltung verschaffen soll und nebenbei einen Krieg entscheiden könnte. Doch längst ist Eustache ins Blickfeld des englischen wie des verfeindeten französischen Königs gerückt, die beide den Piraten für ihre Zwecke gewinnen oder ihn vernichten wollen. Juliane Stadler lässt das Mittelalter lebendig werden: Streit um den Thron, ein charismatischer Pirat, Verrat, Rache und Liebe Wer war der Mann, den seine Zeitgenoss:innen den „schwarzen Mönch“ nannten – und den alle Welt heute als Robin Hood kennt? Kaum jemand weiß, dass Eustache so viel mehr war als der charmante Räuber aus der Sage. Nach einer Station als Mönch im Benediktinerkloster, wo er durch rüde Streiche und Regelbrüche von sich reden macht, steigt er kurzzeitig zum Verwalter der Grafschaft Boulogne auf. Eine Intrige zwingt ihm zum Leben als Outlaw und weckt den Wunsch nach Vergeltung. Schließlich startet er eine Karriere als Pirat. So erfolgreich, dass zwei Könige ihn engagieren, um die Seemacht im Ärmelkanal für sich zu gewinnen. Über den historischen Hintergrund von Juliane Stadlers Mittelalter-Roman: Richard Löwenherz‘ unerwarteter Tod 1199 hinterlässt ein gefährliches Machtvakuum. Der französische König versucht daraufhin, mit allen Mitteln die Herrschaft über die umfassenden anglo-normannischen Gebiete auf dem Kontinent an sich zu bringen. Ihm gegenüber steht Richards Bruder John, der Krone und Reich für sich beansprucht und dabei vom englischen Adel unterstützt wird. Zwischen beiden Parteien entbrennt ein rücksichtsloser Krieg um die Vorherrschaft, der das halbe Abendland erfasst und auch den Ärmelkanal einschließt. Als die Lage für ihn immer aussichtsloser wird, rekrutiert König John den gefürchteten Piraten Eustache Busqués, genannt der Schwarze Mönch, und seine Armada als Seesöldner und hofft, auf diesem Weg den Konflikt für sich zu entscheiden. Perfekte Lektüre für Fans von Ken Follett und Rebecca Gablé Die Schauplätze des Romans: Königreich Frankreich, Anglo-normannisches Herrschaftsgebiet/England, englischer Kanal zur Wende vom 12. zum 13. Jahrhundert.

»Thron der Diebe« Großer historischer Mittelalter-Roman Die wahre Geschichte von Robin Hood: Vom Mönch zum Gesetzlosen, vom Piraten zur Legende Exzellent recherchiert, spannend geschrieben, mitreißend erzählt: Das Leben des historischen Robin Hood war so spannend wie ein Abenteuerroman. Normandie, 1203: Eine Intrige zerstört die Zukunft des jungen Adligen Eustache Busqués. Enteignet und für vogelfrei erklärt, flieht er in die Wälder und bekämpft jene, die ihn zu Fall brachten. Als er gefasst wird, kann er entkommen und beginnt ein neues Leben als Pirat. Bei einem Beutezug gerät die selbstbewusste und schöne Héloise d'Évrecy in seine Gewalt, die gegen ihren Willen verheiratet werden soll. Gemeinsam schmieden sie einen Plan, der ihr die Freiheit und ihm Vergeltung verschaffen soll und nebenbei einen Krieg entscheiden könnte. Doch längst ist Eustache ins Blickfeld des englischen wie des verfeindeten französischen Königs gerückt, die beide den Piraten für ihre Zwecke gewinnen oder ihn vernichten wollen. Juliane Stadler lässt das Mittelalter lebendig werden: Streit um den Thron, ein charismatischer Pirat, Verrat, Rache und Liebe Wer war der Mann, den seine Zeitgenoss:innen den »schwarzen Mönch« nannten – und den alle Welt heute als Robin Hood kennt? Kaum jemand weiß, dass Eustache so viel mehr war als der charmante Räuber aus der Sage. Nach einer Station als Mönch im Benediktinerkloster, wo er durch rüde Streiche und Regelbrüche von sich reden macht, steigt er kurzzeitig zum Verwalter der Grafschaft Boulogne auf. Eine Intrige zwingt ihm zum Leben als Outlaw und weckt den Wunsch nach Vergeltung. Schließlich startet er eine Karriere als Pirat. So erfolgreich, dass zwei Könige ihn engagieren, um die Seemacht im Ärmelkanal für sich zu gewinnen. Über den historischen Hintergrund von Juliane Stadlers Mittelalter-Roman: Richard Löwenherz' unerwarteter Tod 1199 hinterlässt ein gefährliches Machtvakuum. Der französische König versucht daraufhin, mit allen Mitteln die Herrschaft über die umfassenden anglo-normannischen Gebiete auf dem Kontinent an sich zu bringen. Ihm gegenüber steht Richards Bruder John, der Krone und Reich für sich beansprucht und dabei vom englischen Adel unterstützt wird. Zwischen beiden Parteien entbrennt ein rücksichtsloser Krieg um die Vorherrschaft, der das halbe Abendland erfasst und auch den Ärmelkanal einschließt. Als die Lage für ihn immer aussichtsloser wird, rekrutiert König John den gefürchteten Piraten Eustache Busqués, genannt der Schwarze Mönch, und seine Armada als Seesöldner und hofft, auf diesem Weg den Konflikt für sich zu entscheiden. Perfekte Hörstoff für Fans von Ken Follett und Rebecca Gablé Die Schauplätze des Romans: Königreich Frankreich, Anglo-normannisches Herrschaftsgebiet/England, englischer Kanal zur Wende vom 12. zum 13. Jahrhundert

»Thron der Diebe« Großer historischer Mittelalter-Roman Die wahre Geschichte von Robin Hood: Vom Mönch zum Gesetzlosen, vom Piraten zur Legende Exzellent recherchiert, spannend geschrieben, mitreißend erzählt: Das Leben des historischen Robin Hood war so spannend wie ein Abenteuerroman. Normandie, 1203: Eine Intrige zerstört die Zukunft des jungen Adligen Eustache Busqués. Enteignet und für vogelfrei erklärt, flieht er in die Wälder und bekämpft jene, die ihn zu Fall brachten. Als er gefasst wird, kann er entkommen und beginnt ein neues Leben als Pirat. Bei einem Beutezug gerät die selbstbewusste und schöne Héloise d'Évrecy in seine Gewalt, die gegen ihren Willen verheiratet werden soll. Gemeinsam schmieden sie einen Plan, der ihr die Freiheit und ihm Vergeltung verschaffen soll und nebenbei einen Krieg entscheiden könnte. Doch längst ist Eustache ins Blickfeld des englischen wie des verfeindeten französischen Königs gerückt, die beide den Piraten für ihre Zwecke gewinnen oder ihn vernichten wollen. Juliane Stadler lässt das Mittelalter lebendig werden: Streit um den Thron, ein charismatischer Pirat, Verrat, Rache und Liebe Wer war der Mann, den seine Zeitgenoss:innen den "schwarzen Mönch" nannten - und den alle Welt heute als Robin Hood kennt? Kaum jemand weiß, dass Eustache so viel mehr war als der charmante Räuber aus der Sage. Nach einer Station als Mönch im Benediktinerkloster, wo er durch rüde Streiche und Regelbrüche von sich reden macht, steigt er kurzzeitig zum Verwalter der Grafschaft Boulogne auf. Eine Intrige zwingt ihm zum Leben als Outlaw und weckt den Wunsch nach Vergeltung. Schließlich startet er eine Karriere als Pirat. So erfolgreich, dass zwei Könige ihn engagieren, um die Seemacht im Ärmelkanal für sich zu gewinnen. Über den historischen Hintergrund von Juliane Stadlers Mittelalter-Roman: Richard Löwenherz' unerwarteter Tod 1199 hinterlässt ein gefährliches Machtvakuum. Der französische König versucht daraufhin, mit allen Mitteln die Herrschaft über die umfassenden anglo-normannischen Gebiete auf dem Kontinent an sich zu bringen. Ihm gegenüber steht Richards Bruder John, der Krone und Reich für sich beansprucht und dabei vom englischen Adel unterstützt wird. Zwischen beiden Parteien entbrennt ein rücksichtsloser Krieg um die Vorherrschaft, der das halbe Abendland erfasst und auch den Ärmelkanal einschließt. Als die Lage für ihn immer aussichtsloser wird, rekrutiert König John den gefürchteten Piraten Eustache Busqués, genannt der Schwarze Mönch, und seine Armada als Seesöldner und hofft, auf diesem Weg den Konflikt für sich zu entscheiden. Perfekte Lektüre für Fans von Ken Follett und Rebecca Gablé Die Schauplätze des Romans: Königreich Frankreich, Anglo-normannisches Herrschaftsgebiet/England, englischer Kanal zur Wende vom 12. zum 13. Jahrhundert.

Bloomsbury presents Alexander by Edmund Richardson, read by John Telfer 'A thrilling story, wonderfully told by one of the great historians' KEN FOLLETT 'Dazzling... This is biography of great brilliance and rare resonance' WILLIAM DALRYMPLE 'A pulsating, vivid life of a true historical titan' DAN JONES 'A splendid book, lively, erudite... where myth and heroism meet' RORY STEWART A stunningly written new biography of Alexander the Great, based on a series of important new discoveries and the author's own translations of source material from twelve ancient languages. In 336 BCE, at the age of twenty, Alexander, a wide-eyed boy from the hills of Macedon, inherited a tumbledown kingdom, a pile of debts and an army which answered to nobody. Desperate to hold on to power, he led the army east, into the heart of the vast Persian Empire, and inadvertently began the greatest military campaign in history. The young man became a king, the king became a hero, the hero became a living god, and the god died aged thirty-two, broken-hearted in Babylon. For centuries, historians have told his story, yet Alexander has remained a mystery. But now, the ruins of his cities have emerged from the bottom of the sea and the dust of Central Asian hillsides. The diaries of Babylonian astronomers who knew him have been deciphered. The tombs of his ancestors have been unearthed. For the first time, instead of the legend, we can meet Alexander the man. Based on more than a decade of cutting-edge research, Alexander allows readers to feel the desert wind and experience the full horror of battle. Richardson's research has taken him from the catacombs of Egypt to the passes of Afghanistan. Alexander is a cinematic work of non-fiction: a revelatory retelling of one of the most famous and elusive stories in history.

#1 New York Times Bestseller An Amazon Best Book of 2020 A thrilling and addictive new novel-a prequel to The Pillars of the Earth-set in England at the dawn of a new era: the Middle Ages "Just as transporting as [The Pillars of the Earth]…A most welcome addition to the Kingsbridge series."-The Washington Post It is 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh in the west and the Vikings in the east. Those in power bend justice according to their will, regardless of ordinary people and often in conflict with the king. Without a clear rule of law, chaos reigns. In these turbulent times, three characters find their lives intertwined. A young boatbuilder's life is turned upside down when the only home he's ever known is raided by Vikings, forcing him and his family to move and start their lives anew in a small hamlet where he does not fit in…. A Norman noblewoman marries for love, following her husband across the sea to a new land, but the customs of her husband's homeland are shockingly different, and as she begins to realize that everyone around her is engaged in a constant, brutal battle for power, it becomes clear that a single misstep could be catastrophic…. A monk dreams of transforming his humble abbey into a center of learning that will be admired throughout Europe. And each in turn comes into dangerous conflict with a clever and ruthless bishop who will do anything to increase his wealth and power. Thirty years ago, Ken Follett published his most popular novel, The Pillars of the Earth. Now, Follett's masterful new prequel The Evening and the Morning takes us on an epic journey into a historical past rich with ambition and rivalry, death and birth, love and hate, that will end where The Pillars of the Earth begins.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A high-stakes thrill ride through the darkest corners of the Sunshine State, from the author hailed as "the best thriller writer alive" by Ken Follett We expect our judges to be honest and wise. Their integrity is the bedrock of the entire judicial system. We trust them to ensure fair trials, to protect the rights of all litigants, to punish those who do wrong, and to oversee the flow of justice. But what happens when a judge bends the law or takes a bribe? Lacy Stoltz is an investigator for the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct. It is her job to respond to complaints dealing with judicial misconduct. After nine years with the Board, she knows that most problems are caused by incompetence, not corruption. But a corruption case eventually crosses her desk. A previously disbarred lawyer is back in business, and he claims to know of a Florida judge who has stolen more money than all other crooked judges combined. And not just crooked judges in Florida. All judges, from all states, and throughout United States history. And now he wants to put a stop to it. His only client is a person who knows the truth and wants to blow the whistle and collect millions under Florida law. When the case is assigned to Lacy, she immediately suspects that this one could be dangerous. Dangerous is one thing. Deadly is something else. Praise for The Whistler "[A] main character [who's] a seriously appealing woman . . . a whistle-blower who secretly calls attention to corruption . . . a strong and frightening sense of place . . . [John Grisham's] on his game."-Janet Maslin, The New York Times "[John Grisham is] our guide to the byways and backwaters of our legal system, superb in particular at ferreting out its vulnerabilities and dramatizing their abuse in gripping style."-USA Today "Riveting . . . an elaborate conspiracy."-The New York Times Book Review

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author, a thrilling and addictive new novel--a prequel to The Pillars of the Earth--set in England at the dawn of a new era: the Middle Ages "Just as transporting as [The Pillars of the Earth] . . . A most welcome addition to the Kingsbridge series." --The Washington Post It is 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh in the west and the Vikings in the east. Those in power bend justice according to their will, regardless of ordinary people and often in conflict with the king. Without a clear rule of law, chaos reigns. In these turbulent times, three characters find their lives intertwined. A young boatbuilder's life is turned upside down when the only home he's ever known is raided by Vikings, forcing him and his family to move and start their lives anew in a small hamlet where he does not fit in. . . . A Norman noblewoman marries for love, following her husband across the sea to a new land, but the customs of her husband's homeland are shockingly different, and as she begins to realize that everyone around her is engaged in a constant, brutal battle for power, it becomes clear that a single misstep could be catastrophic. . . . A monk dreams of transforming his humble abbey into a center of learning that will be admired throughout Europe. And each in turn comes into dangerous conflict with a clever and ruthless bishop who will do anything to increase his wealth and power. Thirty years ago, Ken Follett published his most popular novel, The Pillars of the Earth. Now, Follett's masterful new prequel The Evening and the Morning takes us on an epic journey into a historical past rich with ambition and rivalry, death and birth, love and hate, that will end where The Pillars of the Earth begins.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A high-stakes thrill ride through the darkest corners of the Sunshine State, from the author hailed as "the best thriller writer alive" by Ken Follett We expect our judges to be honest and wise. Their integrity is the bedrock of the entire judicial system. We trust them to ensure fair trials, to protect the rights of all litigants, to punish those who do wrong, and to oversee the flow of justice. But what happens when a judge bends the law or takes a bribe? Lacy Stoltz is an investigator for the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct. It is her job to respond to complaints dealing with judicial misconduct. After nine years with the Board, she knows that most problems are caused by incompetence, not corruption. But a corruption case eventually crosses her desk. A previously disbarred lawyer is back in business, and he claims to know of a Florida judge who has stolen more money than all other crooked judges combined. And not just crooked judges in Florida. All judges, from all states, and throughout United States history. And now he wants to put a stop to it. His only client is a person who knows the truth and wants to blow the whistle and collect millions under Florida law. When the case is assigned to Lacy, she immediately suspects that this one could be dangerous. Dangerous is one thing. Deadly is something else. Praise for The Whistler "[A] main character [who's] a seriously appealing woman . . . a whistle-blower who secretly calls attention to corruption . . . a strong and frightening sense of place . . . [John Grisham's] on his game."-Janet Maslin, The New York Times "[John Grisham is] our guide to the byways and backwaters of our legal system, superb in particular at ferreting out its vulnerabilities and dramatizing their abuse in gripping style."-USA Today "Riveting . . . an elaborate conspiracy."-The New York Times Book Review

L'ATTESISSIMO PREQUEL DE I PILASTRI DELLA TERRA 17 giugno 997. Non è ancora l'alba quando a Combe, sulla costa sudoccidentale dell'Inghilterra, il giovane costruttore di barche Edgar si prepara con trepidazione a fuggire di nascosto con la donna che ama. Ma i suoi piani vengono spazzati via in un attimo da una feroce incursione dei vichinghi, che mettono a ferro e fuoco la sua cittadina, distruggendo ogni cosa e uccidendo chiunque capiti loro a tiro. Edgar sarà costretto a partire con la sua famiglia per ricominciare tutto da capo nel piccolo e desolato villaggio di Dreng's Ferry. Dall'altra parte della Manica, in terra normanna, la giovane contessa Ragna, indipendente e fiera, si innamora perdutamente del nobile inglese Wilwulf e decide impulsivamente di sposarlo e seguirlo nella sua terra, contro il parere di suo padre, il conte Hubert di Cherbourg. Si accorgerà presto che lo stile di vita al quale era abituata in Normandia è ben diverso da quello degli inglesi, la cui società arretrata vive sotto continue minacce di violenza e dove Ragna si ritroverà al centro di una brutale lotta per il potere. In questo contesto, il sogno di Aldred, un monaco colto e idealista, di trasformare la sua umile abbazia in un centro di erudizione e insegnamento entra in aperto conflitto con le mire di Wynstan, un vescovo abile e spietato pronto a tutto pur di aumentare le sue ricchezze e il suo potere. Le vite di questi quattro indimenticabili personaggi si intersecano, in un succedersi di continui colpi di scena, negli anni più bui e turbolenti del Medioevo. Questo formidabile romanzo è il prequel della magnifica saga di Kingsbridge amata da milioni di lettori nel mondo. Ken Follett conduce il lettore in un viaggio epico pieno di sorprese, avventura, coraggio, amore, odio e ambizione che termina dove I pilastri della terra hanno inizio. contributori LE Riccardo Mei

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author, a thrilling and addictive new novel--a prequel to The Pillars of the Earth--set in England at the dawn of a new era: the Middle Ages "Just as transporting as [The Pillars of the Earth] . . . A most welcome addition to the Kingsbridge series." --The Washington Post It is 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh in the west and the Vikings in the east. Those in power bend justice according to their will, regardless of ordinary people and often in conflict with the king. Without a clear rule of law, chaos reigns. In these turbulent times, three characters find their lives intertwined. A young boatbuilder's life is turned upside down when the only home he's ever known is raided by Vikings, forcing him and his family to move and start their lives anew in a small hamlet where he does not fit in. . . . A Norman noblewoman marries for love, following her husband across the sea to a new land, but the customs of her husband's homeland are shockingly different, and as she begins to realize that everyone around her is engaged in a constant, brutal battle for power, it becomes clear that a single misstep could be catastrophic. . . . A monk dreams of transforming his humble abbey into a center of learning that will be admired throughout Europe. And each in turn comes into dangerous conflict with a clever and ruthless bishop who will do anything to increase his wealth and power. Thirty years ago, Ken Follett published his most popular novel, The Pillars of the Earth. Now, Follett's masterful new prequel The Evening and the Morning takes us on an epic journey into a historical past rich with ambition and rivalry, death and birth, love and hate, that will end where The Pillars of the Earth begins.

#1 New York Times Bestseller An Amazon Best Book of 2020 The thrilling and addictive prequel to The Pillars of the Earth--set in England at the dawn of a new era: the Middle Ages "Just as transporting as [The Pillars of the Earth] . . . A most welcome addition to the Kingsbridge series." --The Washington Post It is 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh in the west and the Vikings in the east. Those in power bend justice according to their will, regardless of ordinary people and often in conflict with the king. Without a clear rule of law, chaos reigns. In these turbulent times, three characters find their lives intertwined. A young boatbuilder's life is turned upside down when his home is raided by Vikings, forcing him and his family to move and start their lives anew in a small hamlet where he does not fit in. . . . A Norman noblewoman marries for love, following her husband across the sea to a new land, but the customs of her husband's homeland are shockingly different, and it soon becomes clear to her that a single misstep could be catastrophic. . . . A monk dreams of transforming his humble abbey into a center of learning that will be admired throughout Europe. And each in turn comes into dangerous conflict with a clever and ruthless bishop who will do anything to increase his wealth and power. Thirty years ago, Ken Follett published his most popular novel, The Pillars of the Earth. Now, Follett's masterful new prequel The Evening and the Morning takes us on an epic journey into a historical past rich with ambition and rivalry, death and birth, love and hate, that will end where The Pillars of the Earth begins.

Reacher never backs down from a problem. And he's about to find a big one, on a deserted Arizona road, where a Jeep has crashed into the only tree for miles around. Under the merciless desert sun, nothing is as it seems. Minutes later Reacher is heading into the nearby border town, a backwater that has seen better days. Next to him is Michaela Fenton, an army veteran turned FBI agent, who is trying to find her twin brother. He might have got mixed up with some dangerous people. And Reacher might just need to pay them a visit. Their leader has burrowed his influence deep into the town. Just to get in and meet the mysterious Dendoncker, Reacher is going to have to achieve the impossible. To get answers will be even harder. There are people in this hostile, empty place who would rather die than reveal their secrets. But then, if Reacher is coming after you, you might be better off dead. Although the Jack Reacher novels can be read in any order, Better Off Dead is the 26th book in the internationally popular series. And don't miss Reacher's newest adventure, No.30, Exit Strategy! ***OUT NOW*** ____ 'Jack Reacher is today's James Bond, a thriller hero we can't get enough of .' KEN FOLLETT 'If you haven't read any Jack Reacher, you have a treat in store . . . a hitchhiker without a phone, a one-man force for good .' The Times 'A contemporary version of the knight in shining armour . . . Reacher is a mythic figure.' Literary Review 'Jack Reacher is a wonderfully epic hero ; tough, taciturn, yet vulnerable... Irresistible.' People 'Jack Reacher has long since earned his prominent place in the pantheon of cool, smart-talking American heroes.' New York Times

#1 New York Times Bestseller An Amazon Best Book of 2020 A thrilling and addictive new novel-a prequel to The Pillars of the Earth-set in England at the dawn of a new era: the Middle Ages "Just as transporting as [The Pillars of the Earth]…A most welcome addition to the Kingsbridge series."-The Washington Post It is 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh in the west and the Vikings in the east. Those in power bend justice according to their will, regardless of ordinary people and often in conflict with the king. Without a clear rule of law, chaos reigns. In these turbulent times, three characters find their lives intertwined. A young boatbuilder's life is turned upside down when the only home he's ever known is raided by Vikings, forcing him and his family to move and start their lives anew in a small hamlet where he does not fit in…. A Norman noblewoman marries for love, following her husband across the sea to a new land, but the customs of her husband's homeland are shockingly different, and as she begins to realize that everyone around her is engaged in a constant, brutal battle for power, it becomes clear that a single misstep could be catastrophic…. A monk dreams of transforming his humble abbey into a center of learning that will be admired throughout Europe. And each in turn comes into dangerous conflict with a clever and ruthless bishop who will do anything to increase his wealth and power. Thirty years ago, Ken Follett published his most popular novel, The Pillars of the Earth. Now, Follett's masterful new prequel The Evening and the Morning takes us on an epic journey into a historical past rich with ambition and rivalry, death and birth, love and hate, that will end where The Pillars of the Earth begins.

Il romanzo epico della costruzione di Stonehenge, ancora oggi uno dei più grandi misteri del mondo. Un cavatore di selce con un dono. Una sacerdotessa che crede nell'impossibile. Un monumento che definirà una civiltà. Seft, un giovane e abile cavatore di selce, attraversa la Grande Pianura sotto il sole cocente per assistere insieme al padre e ai due fratelli ai rituali che segnano l'inizio di un nuovo anno. Il ragazzo trasporta con fatica le pietre che verranno barattate alla Cerimonia di Mezza Estate, un appuntamento importante celebrato con canti e danze dalle sacerdotesse del luogo, cui partecipano tutte le tribù dei dintorni. Seft spera di incontrare Neen, la ragazza di cui è innamorato, e sogna di cambiare vita. La famiglia di lei vive in prosperità all'interno di una comunità di pastori, e gli offre una via di fuga dal padre violento e dai suoi spietati fratelli. Joia, la sorella di Neen, è una ragazza con grandi doti carismatiche. Da bambina, osservando affascinata la Cerimonia di Mezza Estate, sogna la realizzazione di un nuovo monumento miracoloso, un grande cerchio eretto con le pietre più grandi del mondo. Quando diventerà sacerdotessa avrà come principale alleato Seft che si dedicherà anima e corpo a questo progetto visionario e all'apparenza impossibile. Ma tra le colline e le foreste della Grande Pianura si preannunciano tempi difficili per tutti. Mentre la siccità devasta la terra, i pastori, i contadini e gli abitanti dei boschi sono sempre più sfiduciati, e un atto di violenza selvaggia porta a una guerra aperta... "Stonehenge è uno dei monumenti più iconici e riconoscibili al mondo, ma in realtà se ne sa molto poco. Come è stato costruito? Perché è stato costruito? Chi lo ha costruito? Ho raccontato in precedenza grandi conquiste umane e sono sempre stato attratto dalle storie di persone comuni che fanno cose apparentemente impossibili, e cosa c'è di più straordinario che la costruzione di questo monumento enorme? È un'impresa incredibile ed è uno dei più grandi misteri di tutti i tempi: un binomio fantastico per una storia." Ken Follett contributori LE Riccardo Mei

DOPO I PILASTRI DELLA TERRA E MONDO SENZA FINE, LA COLONNA DI FUOCO, IL NUOVO GRANDE ROMANZO DELLA SAGA DI KINGSBRIDGE. Gennaio 1558, Kingsbridge. Quando il giovane Ned Willard fa ritorno a casa si rende conto che il suo mondo sta per cambiare radicalmente. Solo la vecchia cattedrale sopravvive immutata, testimone di una città lacerata dal conflitto religioso. Tutti i principi di lealtà, amicizia e amore verranno sovvertiti. Figlio di un ricco mercante protestante, Ned vorrebbe sposare Margery Fitzgerald, figlia del sindaco cattolico della città, ma il loro amore non basta a superare le barriere degli opposti schieramenti religiosi. Costretto a lasciare Kingsbridge, Ned viene ingaggiato da Sir William Cecil, il consigliere di Elisabetta Tudor, futura regina di Inghilterra. Dopo la sua incoronazione, la giovane e determinata Elisabetta I vede tutta l'Europa cattolica rivoltarsi contro di lei, prima tra tutti Maria Stuarda, regina di Scozia. Decide per questo di creare una rete di spionaggio per proteggersi dai numerosi attacchi dei nemici decisi a eliminarla e contrastare i tentativi di ribellione e invasione del suo regno. Il giovane Ned diventa così uno degli uomini chiave del primo servizio segreto britannico della storia. Per quasi mezzo secolo il suo amore per Margery sembra condannato, mentre gli estremisti religiosi seminano violenza ovunque. In gioco, allora come oggi, non sono certo le diverse convinzioni religiose, ma gli interessi dei tiranni che vogliono imporre a qualunque costo il loro potere su tutti coloro che credono invece nella tolleranza e nel compromesso. Dopo il successo straordinario de I pilastri della terra e Mondo senza fine, la saga di Kingsbridge che ha appassionato milioni di lettori nel mondo continua con questo magnifico romanzo di spionaggio cinquecentesco, in cui Ken Follett racconta con sapiente maestria la grande Storia attraverso gli intrighi, gli amori e le vendette di decine di personaggi indimenticabili, passando dall'Inghilterra e la Scozia, alla Francia, Spagna e Paesi Bassi. Ambientato in uno dei periodi più turbolenti e rivoluzionari di tutti i tempi, La colonna di fuoco è un romanzo epico sulla libertà, con un forte richiamo all'attualità di oggi. contributori LE Riccardo Mei TR Annamaria Raffo TR Roberta Scarabelli