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Ken Follett has written many popular novels, including standalone thrillers and historical fiction series. While many of his books can be read independently, his most well-known works are part of series, and these are best read in a specific order to fully appreciate the overarching narratives.

Here are Ken Follett's major series and their recommended reading orders:

1. The Kingsbridge Series (also known as The Pillars of the Earth series)
This series is set in the fictional English town of Kingsbridge and spans several centuries, focusing on the construction of a magnificent cathedral and the lives of the people around it.

• Publication Order (recommended for first-time readers):

  1. The Pillars of the Earth (1989) (Set in 12th-century England)
  2. World Without End (2007) (Set in 14th-century England, 200 years after the first book)
  3. A Column of Fire (2017) (Set in 16th-century England during the Elizabethan era)
  4. The Evening and the Morning (2020) (Prequel, set in late 10th-century England)
  5. The Armor of Light (2023) (Set in late 18th to early 19th-century England)

• Chronological Order (by historical setting):

  1. The Evening and the Morning (Late 10th-century England)
  2. The Pillars of the Earth (12th-century England)
  3. World Without End (14th-century England)
  4. A Column of Fire (16th-century England)
  5. The Armor of Light (Late 18th to early 19th-century England)

While The Evening and the Morning is a prequel, it's often suggested to start with The Pillars of the Earth to fully appreciate the context of the series.

2. The Century Trilogy
This trilogy follows five interconnected families (American, British, German, Russian, and Welsh) through the major events of the 20th century. Reading these books in order is essential for understanding the narrative arc.

1. Fall of Giants (2010) (Covers World War I, the Russian Revolution, and the struggle for women's suffrage)
2. Winter of the World (2012) (Continues through the rise of the Third Reich, World War II, and the beginning of the Cold War)
3. Edge of Eternity (2014) (Concludes with the Cold War era, from the civil rights movement to the fall of the Berlin Wall)