Rereading "Pillars of the Earth" and "World Without End."

[Brigid]

I'm fascinated with how little has really changed. In the novels, the working folk (peasants struggled while the entitled nobles fought amongst themselves and squeezed their "inferiors" for every thing they could, making life even harder for everyone. Sound familiar?

[Merlot]

1. Have you seen the "Pillars" miniseries?

I haven't read the book, but loved the miniseries. And yes, I thought the exact thing...how little things have changed.

[hlthe2b]

5. Definitely read Pillars, though I liked the miniseries too...

The book is really addictive so, set aside a weekend. The book is so much more comprehensive than the miniseries--really a different experience. I have World Without End, but haven't managed to find time to read it. I certainly will, though. :thumbsup:

[Brigid]

6. No, I haven't seen the miniseries.

I will have to see it one of these days.

[lindysalsagal]

9. Download it on itunes for $30, in two $15 parts.

Really enjoyed it. Read/listened to them simultaneously. Really sets things into perspective.

[dflprincess]

2. And they used religion to scare the peasant into behaving.

I read "Pillars of the Earth" years ago, but just finished "World Without End" a couple months ago. I had the same thoughts you did.

[gateley]

4. Fear works. nt

[gateley]

3. I haven't read either one, but from your description I get the gist.

Ten years ago I wouldn't have believed it could ever get this BLATANT in our country, but it has. At least in the novels of old, the people KNEW they were oppressed. Our fellow Americans don't seem to have a clue.

[Brigid]

7. Yes, they knew all right.

They didn't have the modern American delusion that they were just "temporarily embarrassed millionaires," in the words of John Steinbeck. I do not know what it will take to truly wake the average American up.

[Odin2005]

8. Love those books.

[TexasProgresive]

10. These books are examples of the best that historical fiction can be.

First: human nature has not changed. Read Shakespeare or the Bible to get a sense of the consistency of human ambition and desire for power alongside the human desire to achieve greatness through art and then those who truly wish to be of service to others.

Second: Pilars gave and insight as to what the builders of the great Gothic Cathedrals owed to Moorish thought.

Third: Both Pilars and especially World showed that even in a culture that sought to totally subjugate woman they still found ways to be valuable assets to the whole community especially in the healing arts.

Fourth: Follett managed to get these and other facts across while still writing entertaining and enjoyable books.

[OnionPatch]

11. 'Fall of Giants' is another good one from the same author.

If one reads enough about the past, especially stories like these that describe how the working class were treated throughout history, one would NEVER be a teabagger. I'm convinced that we would fall right back into that pattern of peasants and nobles without regulations and laws protecting workers. Heck, we're really not all that far advanced from that right now and yet teabaggers believe that without "gubmint" regulations and worker protections that everything will just work out fine for the working class and we'll all be happy and prosperous. :eyes: