When I first read The Pillars of the Earth 15 years ago, I absolutely fell in love with it. I would have never imagined that the building of a cathedral in 12th century England could be fascinating, but the rich cast of characters totally enthralled me.

World Without End is a sequel of sorts: it takes place in the same setting of Kingsbridge two centuries later. The story is a bit predictable and the characters unidimensional – I often felt I was observing a nature vs nurture story with nature winning every time – but perhaps the original suffered from the same flaws and I did not notice them as I was much younger. Regardless it made for great storytelling!

Once again, I cared about the becoming of those characters and enjoyed their journey through life.

You can buy World Without End at:
http://www.amazon.com/World-Without-End-Ken-Follett/dp/0525950079/ref=bxgy_cc_b_text_a

If you have not read it, read The Pillars of the Earth (which just made Oprah’s Book Club):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451225244/sr=53-1/qid=1199466205/ref=tr_351531

A number of you have asked me which of my articles first time entrepreneurs should read. Here is the list as requested:

• Fund Raising 101
• The nature of entrepreneurship: randomness, trial and error, and how intelligence can get in the way
• Internet: we are still at the beginning!
• It pays to be lucky – part 3
• The Hardest Lesson for Startups to Learn
• Top Ten Geek Business Myths
• 9 Business Selection Criteria
• International Idea Arbitrage
• In Praise of Investment Bankers
• Investment Banking Fees