[As good as The Baroque Cycle?]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I'll definiately try Heresy and look into Giles Milton.

I've read Pillars of the Earth but unfortunately wasn't impressed enough to read the sequel but thanks for the suggestion.

[Looking for some ideas]

Try Joe Abercrombie. Start with "The Blade Itself". It's a great book and the first in the trilogy. I read all three and would gladly do it again.

[As good as The Baroque Cycle?]

I've read a lot of historical fiction. Everything from James Fennimore Cooper to James Michener to Allen Eckert to Dumas to Cornwell (Richard Sharpe is one of my favorite characters). The list goes on and on but I've never enjoyed a series of books as much as I have The Baroque Cycle from Neal Stephenson. The development of the characters during the setting of that time period is so good that I'm seriously contemplating reading it for a third time.

 

Can anyone out there recommend another book/series that might compare? It doesn't need to be set during the Enlightenment or include a voyage around the globe (although those can make for a great read) just something original and entertaining would be great. Thanks