iPad Pillars of the Earth Amplified Edition?

jharrison · 07-20-2010, 06:41 AM

Has anyone purchased this for the iPAD? What do you think of it? I enjoyed the book, but the interactive edition looks really interesting. I don't subscribe to STARZ so I won't be seeing the mini-series.

http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pa...d_edition.html

scottjl · 07-20-2010, 08:53 AM

funny. costs twice what the book does ($12.99) but doesn't include a copy. two copies of the book in the iBook store, for $6.99 and $7.99 from two different publishers. reviews rate it well.

drofgnal · 07-20-2010, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottjl

funny. costs twice what the book does ($12.99) but doesn't include a copy. two copies of the book in the iBook store, for $6.99 and $7.99 from two different publishers. reviews rate it well.

If you haven't read it, I strongly suggest it. The sequel was good, not as good as Pillars.

I do have Starz and am anxiously awaiting the mini series. The DVD recorder is waiting!!

Over · 07-20-2010, 09:13 AM

Right now I'm reading the book and enjoying it very much. Although I don't think I would buy the amplified edition.

It looks very interesting, but I'm alrady 650 pages in (out of 1076), so I have my own view of the characters and scenery. It would certainly clash with the series, spoiling it to me.

So I'll finish reading the book before watching the series.

I guess that if I were a re-reader, then I could give the amplified edition a go, but I'm not a re-reader.

So, for me it will be: read the book + watch the series (maybe even buy the blu-ray or DVD when it comes out, so that I can watch all those extras as in the amplified edition).

scottjl · 07-20-2010, 10:10 AM

it's about building a cathedral? really that interesting?

joeru · 07-20-2010, 11:04 AM

It was a really good book. The end of the promo video says July 23rd, so I guess it will be available then. Looks like it will be a standalone application in the App Store.
- Joe

drofgnal · 07-20-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottjl

it's about building a cathedral? really that interesting?

One of the better works of historical fiction. The cathedral is just a mechanism for a story of heavy politcal intrigue during the 11th century. (church, state, feudal system, etc.)

The down side is the sequel, World without End, is a whopping 17.99, the price set by the publisher, Penguin. I was ready to buy both books for 6.99, as it is, I'll pass on both. I don't mind a few dollars over the 9.99 ceiling, but 17.99, is just gouging. I wouldn't blame someone for passing on Pillars at 6.99 to avoid wanting the sequel at 17.99.

jharrison · 07-20-2010, 12:18 PM

I forgot that Netflix streams Starz programming. I will be watching this mini-series afterall. For anyone who has not read The Pillars of the Earth , grab a copy as it is a superb book.

steph_g · 07-20-2010, 01:22 PM

Pillars of the Earth is my favorite book. I reread it this summer and can't wait for the miniseries! I bought the ebook earlier this summer, so I'm kind of bummed that they didn't have the enhanced version out then. I agree the sequel wasn't as good, but still enjoyed it.

montsnmags · 07-20-2010, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottjl

it's about building a cathedral? really that interesting?

Going from recommendations I've received, it seems to be one of those odd books that crosses the boundaries of genre-preference. I have the same reaction as you, Scott. I have no excuse for continuing to ask myself that question though, as I've had it sitting on my TBR pile for quite a few years now.

Cheers,
Marc

lene1949 · 07-21-2010, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottjl

it's about building a cathedral? really that interesting?

Yes! Really that interesting..

I suppose the history of how they did it, where they failed and all the personal issues involved.. I loved the book... I had it on my palm, but will buy it again to keep on my kindle...

JSWolf · 07-25-2010, 05:05 PM

I've seen the first two episodes and they are really good.

JimKal · 07-25-2010, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottjl

it's about building a cathedral? really that interesting?

Perhaps you wanted the kind of reaction you got to that statement. Any book, but especially a good book, would sound wanting if we tried to reduce it to a single word. As most have pointed out it is a story about an era that is now gone but holds some interest for many of us.

scottjl · 07-25-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimKal

Perhaps you wanted the kind of reaction you got to that statement. Any book, but especially a good book, would sound wanting if we tried to reduce it to a single word. As most have pointed out it is a story about an era that is now gone but holds some interest for many of us.

no what i was looking for was a review by someone on here who might have read it. maybe you can provide one..

JimKal · 07-27-2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottjl

no what i was looking for was a review by someone on here who might have read it. maybe you can provide one..

It is a book that tracks multiple characters over the course of many years. It looks at a period in English history when the church played a more prominent role in the world as did royalty. What you have here is what my sister described as a "real book". It has weight both literally (at approximately 1000 pages) but in its approach to a story dealing with multiple characters spanning many years. Just as in the real world things don't always work out well even for those who are good. But, given its length, it does require the devotion of some time. Many have found that to be worthwhile. Even many years later it continues to sell.

But, it isn't my intention to offer a full review. Obviously I enjoyed it, hence my following this discussion. For a more complete description of the book, here is a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pillars_of_the_Earth

07-20-2010, 06:41 AM	#1
jharrison Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: USA Device: Kindle Touch; iPad	Pillars of the Earth Amplified Edition? Has anyone purchased this for the iPAD? What do you think of it? I enjoyed the book, but the interactive edition looks really interesting. I don't subscribe to STARZ so I won't be seeing the mini-series. http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pa...d_edition.html

07-20-2010, 11:04 AM	#6
joeru Member Posts: 12 Karma: 5088 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: iphone ipad	July 23rd It was a really good book. The end of the promo video says July 23rd, so I guess it will be available then. Looks like it will be a standalone application in the App Store. - Joe

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07-20-2010, 08:53 AM	#2
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	funny. costs twice what the book does ($12.99) but doesn't include a copy. two copies of the book in the iBook store, for $6.99 and $7.99 from two different publishers. reviews rate it well.

07-20-2010, 09:13 AM	#4
Over Wizard Posts: 1,462 Karma: 6061516 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cascais, Portugal Device: Kindle PW, Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2", OnePlus 6	Right now I'm reading the book and enjoying it very much. Although I don't think I would buy the amplified edition. It looks very interesting, but I'm alrady 650 pages in (out of 1076), so I have my own view of the characters and scenery. It would certainly clash with the series, spoiling it to me. So I'll finish reading the book before watching the series. I guess that if I were a re-reader, then I could give the amplified edition a go, but I'm not a re-reader. So, for me it will be: read the book + watch the series (maybe even buy the blu-ray or DVD when it comes out, so that I can watch all those extras as in the amplified edition).

07-20-2010, 10:10 AM	#5
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	it's about building a cathedral? really that interesting?

07-20-2010, 12:18 PM	#8
jharrison Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: USA Device: Kindle Touch; iPad	I forgot that Netflix streams Starz programming. I will be watching this mini-series afterall. For anyone who has not read The Pillars of the Earth , grab a copy as it is a superb book.

07-20-2010, 01:22 PM	#9
steph_g Book Lover Posts: 74 Karma: 124 Join Date: May 2010 Device: iPad, iPhone 3GS	Pillars of the Earth is my favorite book. I reread it this summer and can't wait for the miniseries! I bought the ebook earlier this summer, so I'm kind of bummed that they didn't have the enhanced version out then. I agree the sequel wasn't as good, but still enjoyed it.

07-25-2010, 05:05 PM	#12
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,782 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I've seen the first two episodes and they are really good.