Pilllars of the Earth.....what next?

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Over a year ago, several of us in my family read Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth." We became completely engrossed in the history of cathedral building, people's lives among the classes and the overall details and style of writing by Follett. I went on to read "World Without End," which, although it was entertaining, was quite similar to the first story. Since reading about Priory Philip, Tom Builder, Jack Builder and the other characters whose names I can't recall (Caris? the knight, etc), I (and my brother and sister) have been unable to find another book that seduces our love of reading quite like Pillars did. So I'm wondering....did you love Pillars as much as we did....and have you found anything else that compares and is as utterly fascinating while at the same time so enjoyable to read?