Notre-Dame

‘A treasure of a book’ – The New YorkerNow with an exclusive new introduction from the author, Ken Follett, who will donate all royalties to the charity La Fondation du Patrimoine. ‘Two days after Notre-Dame burned, I flew to Paris to appear on the TV programme La Grande Librairie for a discussion about cathedrals. The following morning I had breakfast at the Hotel Bristol with my French publisher, and she asked me to write a short book about Notre-Dame and what it means to all of us. She said she would donate the publisher’s profits to the rebuilding fund and, if I wished, I could do the same with my royalties. Yes, I said; of course, I’d love to.’ – Ken FollettOriginally written in aid of the crucial restoration work to restore Paris’s great cathedral, Notre-Dame: A Short History of the Meaning of Cathedrals is a moving, short piece of non-fiction celebrating the stunning history of this beloved building from Ken Follett, author of the multi-million-copy-selling Kingsbridge series.Praise for Notre-Dame:‘Fans of Follett and cathedrals alike will enjoy his exploration of the great Parisian edifice — and will want more’ – Kirkus Reviews‘A must-read’ – Publishers Weekly‘Simply masterful . . . a great pleasure to read’ – Catholic Library World

Ken Follett was born in Cardiff, Wales. Barred from watching films and television by his parents, he developed an early interest in reading thanks to a local library. After studying philosophy at University College London, he became involved in centre-left politics, entering into journalism soon after. His first thriller, the wartime spy drama Eye of the Needle, became an international bestseller and has sold over ten million copies. He then astonished everyone with his first historical novel, The Pillars of the Earth, the story of the building of a medieval cathedral, which went on to become one of the most beloved books of the twentieth century. One of the most popular authors in the world, his many books including the Kingsbridge series and the Century trilogy - a body of work which together chronicles over a thousand years of history - and his latest novel Never - which envisages how World War III could happen - have sold more than 188 million copies. A father and husband, Ken lives with his wife in England and enjoys travelling the world when he can.