A priest learns of a plot to overthrow the king and decides to intervene. This one act sets in motion some of the most devastating heartbreak in the book. Motivated by altruistic means the priest and his brother prior of Kingsbridge work to improve the lives of the people in their domain. However, Follett writes to suggest that as well-intended mother church may be it would best serve man to stay out of politics. An interesting statement in 2010, blashemy in the setting of the book! Follett, famous for his thrillers, has created a epic narration following the lives of a young girl robbed of her father's land, a mason who dreams of building a cathedral that will make England kneel, a woman who stands up to man, god and church, and her son who will finish the legacy set before him. All of these characters and many more are tied together during England's bitter civil war between Steven I and Maude to put her son Henry II on the throne. An elementary level education allows the reader to make a prediction of who will win this argument! Well written, however one criticism I have is that Lehane paints his characters with a very binary brush. Bad guys are Bad, and good guys are good. While there are people who are "doing the best they can" many are motivated by nothing more than the need to be evil, which is our contemporary times could ring too true. Wonderful summer read for a senior looking to fulfill the summer reading requirement.