The Armor of Light: A Novel (Kingsbridge)

This novel is a phenomenal tapestry intrically woven out of the very different characters Follett initially cobbled together. The way he eventually brings the very diverse stories into an extremely pleasing story woven around historical events such as the effects of industrialization, Napoleon's rise and fall as well as the battle at Waterloo, produces a phenomenal tapestry akin to the fabrics (and their production) his main characters build their lives around. I love his settings, his characters and the peeks into their thoughts, which made the plot difficult to predict (and therefore more enjoyable). I will pick this book up again, I am sure, for it is masterfully written and extremely enjoyable.

Pillars of the Earth would be one of my most favourite books of all time. Just me. The follow up books have been excellent reads also but definitely 1 step down from Pillars of the earth in my view which still makes them great books. So I had high hopes for "Armour of light" given its been a while for the Author to continue the series. The time period the book is based on makes it fascinatingly interesting and you can tell by the writing style, it is in blocks of research fictionalised to paint an old worldly story about the in-equality and injustices of the time and worker oppression that takes the end of a war to get some resemblance justice back. The key characters are well placed throughout the dialogue and maintain an excellent story continuation even if the different scenarios were some what start - stop through the industrialisation of what was a largely manual fabric making industry. The portrayal of the one sided Laws, their passing and how they were applied gave great insights and underpinned tough times and keeping the masses oppressed. The Napoleon wars and impact on the book made for great historical reading and fitted well with the story. I enjoyed the book as it gives ample opportunity for the reader to take so much from it to appreciate in your own interpretations. I would place it second best in the series and highly recommend it.

I have enjoyed this series. Each book has taken a time in history of Kingsbridge as the making of a town/community and the way of life of the people, society, and governments. This one takes place in the 1800s. To my surprise I found that life was as harsh in this time as it was in medieval times. But I felt I learned a lot of history and got an appreciation for different classes of people. I’d recommend this book to any one who enjoys historical novels.

This book takes place in Kingsbridge, England, like the other books in the series, between about 1795 and 1815. It shows readers the relationship between economic and social changes in England at the same time as what I've always considered the main action, the wars with France, were happening at sea. (It’s also a compulsive read even though it’s 700 pages). The Industrial Revolution plays a pretty big role. If you don’t already know what a spinning Jenny is or why people opposed to innovation are called Luddites, you’ll painlessly find out in its pages. The author is a landlubber (I found out in his previous books in the series) so he doesn’t mention that one of the Royal Dockyards invented mass production to produce blocks for the Fleet, but readers will still learn a great deal about mass production and the beginnings of automation. Towards the end of the book the author seems to remember that the war with France has been going on for 20 years and this too would have its effect on labour. (After the fact, I am led to wonder if labour shortages created by the war might have had something to do with the creation of the spinning jenny and the programmable cards for pattern weaving, but I digress -- the author is writing a fast moving popular account, not a scholarly speculation.) Anyway, characters volunteer for the Army (England didn't have conscription in this period although criminals could be sentenced to serve), or are impressed into the Navy, and we get to see some of the characters join Lord Wellington's army while others are caught by the start of the "Hundred Days" while vacationing in Brussels. Poetry fans will remember Lord Byron wrote about this but alas, it seems from the account in the book that he exaggerated the time scale a bit. Wellington himself appears in the book and there’s a good treatment of Waterloo that keeps the reader on the edge of his seat, so let me not give the impression that the book is entirely set in England.

The Armor of Light is the 5th and presumably the last book in Ken Follet’s Kingsbridge series. The story takes place between 1792 and 1825 during a period that saw the beginnings of the industrialization of the textile industry in England, including Kingsbridge which had been a spinning and weaving center for centuries, and the Napoleonic wars. The first disrupted the lifestyle and employment of the residents of England, including Kingsbridge, and the deterioration of the economy caused by the long running war with France. Industrialization of the trades resulted in the loss of employment for the working class while the war caused high inflation making everything more expensive for the people, while the owners of the businesses got richer. As usual there is a large cast of characters many of whom could qualify as the main character, but the story generally follows the life of Sal Clitheroe, a cottage industry spinner and wife of a general laborer. When her husband dies as the result of a preventable accident caused by the stupidity of the Squire’s son, her life is turned on its side. Eventually she must leave her hometown of Bedford for Kingsbridge with Kit, her 7-year-old son in tow, where she gains employment in the mill of a weaver installing a spinning machine that can handle up to 8 spindles. The story develops as more Kingsbridge weavers begin installing more machines that result in more workers losing their jobs. This then leads to more antagonization between the mill owners and the workers. The main antagonists include Joseph Hornbeam, owner of the largest mills in Kingsbridge, and Will Riddick, the son of the Squire. Both are mortal enemies of the workers, with Hornbeam interested only in enriching himself and gaining power, while Riddick just drinks and gambles away any money he gets. Because the story covers over 30 years, it goes through several phases: the initial struggles of the workers and the mill owners; attempts by the workers to organize while Parliament, led by the Prime Minister, passes a series of laws protecting the rights of the owners with harsh punishments against those violating these laws; the personal lives of the main characters, including marriages, births, deaths and adultery; and ending with participation of the Kingsbridge regiment in the battle of Waterloo; and the aftermath of the end of the war on the characters in Kingsbridge. I found this book to be more in keeping with the general themes of the first 2 books in the series. Most of the action takes place in Kingsbridge and its surroundings; the division of the characters by their societal class seems realistic; the setting of the main stories is historically correct; and the story, although long, flows smoothly and quickly. I would recommend this book even if you have not read the preceding books in this series.

I realize that criticizing a critically acclaimed and mega-rich author about a best seller is like pissing in a hurricane. Yet here I am. I read the entire book, and was entertained, but knowing what I know now, I would not have spent the time. The author can whip up a two-dimensional character that draws you to (or away from) the character with apparent ease. This book is filled to be brim with them (and only them). This book, 5th in the series, was more about who and why than what--an early 1800s soap opera. For a book to be memorable, you need the characters to actually do something. Preferably something heroic or requiring them to grow and develop into a better person. In this author's books, I also expect to gain some insight into history and understand a new to me (old) trade. This is the "what." I felt like in this book we followed some folks around learning who they love (and don't), then one day most of them wind up in the same place--mostly by complete chance. The good guys narrowly prevail. Then it is over and everyone goes back to whatever they were doing before. Could I have written a better book? No. Did I feel like I got ripped off. No. Would I read this book again. No. Will I read book 6. Unlikely. It is as if the author was 1/4 the way through writing the book and his agent said--lets cut this off and get the revenue going, then you can sell four book instead of one. I see this all the time but in $5.99 books or Kindle Unlimited. Would I do the same thing? Probably so. Life is short and writing is very hard work. It was an OK book but I'm sorry to say that I expected more and feel disappointed. Sorry Ken. I am in awe of several of your older books. Years later I still feel a connection to those characters who I confuse with real people. I should probably just keep my mouth shut.

I get nothing done around my home when I read and this series has made my home needing TLC! It’s a great read with a great ending. Love the history and the story makes it come alive.

This book is No. 5 in the famed Kingsbridge Series by Ken Follett. The first one in the series was written more than 30 years ago. Each of the books in the series can be read as a standalone. In order to take in the full impact of the story in "The Armor of Light" it is better to have some idea about the French Revolution, Napoleon's rise and fall, the industrial revolution in England and the class struggles that engulfed England at the beginning of the 19th century. However, despite the complicated historical background, length of the book, and the significant number of characters, the story sails smoothly through it all. The story spans approx. 30 years, and is very readable. The opening scene is a pivotal work-related accident that changes forever the life of a young widow and her 6 years old son. Their tale among other memorable characters' tales, blends with actual historical characters and creates a book I never wanted to end.... Unlike many other books about the era, the book does not deal with fancy balls and liaisons of earls and dukes but touches the everyday lives of the poor mill hands, soldiers, small scale industrialists and local politicians. Wellington also makes an appearance:) I highly recommend this book and envy those who have not read it yet. The wait for number 6 in the series has begun.....

Maravilloso como siempre Ken Follet.

I like the book. I am a fan of Mr.Ken Follett

Excellent, as always with this author

This book is a disappointment as part of the Kingsbridge series, of which I enjoyed the other installments immensely. The writing is basic, the characters fall flat, the plot is so predictable - I genuinely can't believe it is the same author as "Pillars of the Earth". Reading it is torturous, like watching paint dry.

das Buch ist packend von der ersten bis letzten Seite! Und es ist sehr interessant und lehrreich, da es den Beginn der Industrialisierung in England mit all den Problemen der Arbeitswelt bis hin zu den Gewerkschaftsgründungen beschreibt und es sogar die Auswirkungen der Napoleonischen Kriege bis hin zu Waterloo aus einer persönlichen Perspektive erzählt