Reading historical fiction is a great way to learn about history, and it can also be fun. Instead of memorizing facts like dates and names, you can go back in time and meet people who lived there.

Ken Follett is one of the best writers of historical fiction today, with more than 30 books to his name. His books cover some of the most important events in world history.

Follett has also used pen names, like Zachary Stone, Storm Island, Martin Martinsen, and Bernard L. Ross, to write books.

The Best Ken Follett Books

Below are of Ken Follett's best books. This is a list of them. For books that are part of a series, we have linked to the first book.

The Kingsbridge Series

You can start the Kingsbridge series with The Pillars of the Earth, which is the first book. It is set in the Middle Ages and tells the story of a group of people who live near a big cathedral in a fictional town in England. Ken Follett makes sure to include important things like the death of Archbishop Thomas Becket and the tragic sinking of the White Ship, but he still tells a great story about politics, religion, and love.

The second book, World Without End, starts 157 years after the first one, during the Edwardian War and the Black Death. It's all in later books, from the royal family in England to how law was changed when Vikings and the Norman came to England, and how it worked.

The Century Trilogy

It's the first book in Ken Follett's Century Trilogy, which is about five families and the events that happen in each of them at the start of World War I. It also talks about the Russian Revolution and women's rights.

The best thing about these books is that not only do you get to go to important times in history, but you also get to go around the world. Ken Follett effectively weaves together the lives of people from different social backgrounds in these stories. One of the main themes is the working middle class's victory over the aristocratic elite.

They live through both World War II and Nazi rule, as well as Cold War. The second book is called Winter of the World.

Eye of the Needle

This book is part thriller, part history, and it was the inspiration for the 1981 movie of the same name. Follett won the Edgar Award for Best Novel with this book. It was his first big success.

As a German spy called "the Needle" is sent to London to get important information for Berlin, the movie Eye of the Needle starts in 1940. It turns out he was accused of murder because of a mix-up. He flees to a small island off the coast of Scotland.

The Key to Rebecca

Researching for Eye of the Needle, Follett came across the story of Johannes Eppler, a Nazi spy. This story inspired the main character of this book, Alex Wolff, who was based on Eppler. In this book, Wolff goes to Egypt to deliver a code to the German General Erwin Rommel, who is in charge of the desert. Rebecca is a character in a book by Daphne du Maurier. This code, which is linked to Rebecca, will allow German forces to enter Cairo.

A Dangerous Fortune

This is what happened in 1866, when a student died in front of all of his friends when they were all at the same high school. Even 20 years later, his death is still very upsetting to them. People in the upper echelons of British society by then, with the Victorian class system crumbling all around them, are now in the same place.

A Place Called Freedom

This book is about Mack McAsh, who fights for the rights of coal miners who have been mistreated. Because Lizzie Hallim is married to a mine owner who Mack is trying to get rid of, he gets her attention. In the process, he gets the attention of Lizzie.

Hornet Flight

Follett tells the story of a Danish pilot during World War II, Harald Olufsen, who, at the time, was just a teenager. In the middle of German air power, he finds a new German radar. He flees to England in an old plane because the Germans want to find him.

The Man from St. Petersburg

This book, which is set in 1914, shows how important Russia is to both sides of the war. With the help of Winston Churchill and the Earl of Walden, they plan to form a secret alliance with this superpower. But someone sneaks into England, changing the course of history.

On Wings of Eagles.

This nonfiction thriller is based on the true story of some of the people who played a big role in the Iranian revolution. Paul Chiapparone and Bill Gaylord are rescued from a prison in Tehran thanks to a team of computer executives led by a Green Beret colonel who comes out of retirement to lead them.

Lie Down with Lions

A young aid worker and an American come to the Valley of Five Lions with a message for Masud, the legendary leader of the guerrillas. This book is set in the Afghan Mountains. It doesn't matter whether he's dead or alive. The Russians want him.

Night Over Water

This is the year 1939, and the war has just begun. The Pan American Clipper is a very nice plane that takes a lot of rich people to New York. During the night, tensions will rise on the plane as it travels across the Atlantic. Finally, they will reach a terrifying climax.

The Best of Ken Follett

To get a sense of how people lived and thought in the past, read Ken Follett books. It's even better because you get to enjoy the heart-stopping thrill of espionage, love, and making life-and-death decisions.

Of course, he's not the only one who writes historical fiction books. Don't be afraid to read other historical fiction books. To get a bigger picture, read more!

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