Savannah {or} a Gift for Mr. Lincoln

Rating:
Summary: A Good Introduction for Youth to the Works of John Jakes
Review:
Initially, I was very disappointed with John Jakes' follow-up to <strong>Charleston</strong> -- <strong>Savannah: or a Gift from Mr. Lincoln</strong>. The former's intense look at the history of one of the South's bastion's during the Civil War was not only entertaining, but educational. I found <strong>Savannah</strong> quite the opposite. The wonderful history of the city and the intricacies of Union occupation is ignored (for Savannah history, read <strong>Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil</strong>), in favor of simple if but comically melodramatic (and predictable) plot lines.


With this novel, Jakes' writing style is turned end-over-end - the intricate military maneuvers blended with history that has become his trademark is replaced with snappy, sometimes snide, character observations made amongst truly sentimental dialogue. At times, I thought I was reading one of the serials common to an 18th century Harper's Bazaar or other periodical.


Although this novel would not appeal to those expecting the typical Jakes immersion into history, it is a good introduction to historical fiction for youth - readers aged 12 to 18. It has the right amount of history, but the sentimentality and comic timing appealing for those teens who usually avoid an educational plot.

Rating:
Summary: The wages of war during a holiday season
Review: Georgia, November 1864. Sherman's Army has taken Atlanta and is continuing its march to the sea, aiming for Savannah. Residents of the area prepare for the worst, based on the stories and rumors they've heard of the atrocies caused by the Union forces. Twelve-year-old Hattie Lester and her mother Sara live alone on their rice plantation, now that the slaves are gone and Ladron Lester was lost in the war. Hattie is a tomboy and a spit-fire in her own right, and she can often be seen leading her pig Amelia around on a leash. Hattie is convinced that she'll reach out and kick any Yankee that tries to come near her. (And she eventually does!) Much of this story follows Hattie and her mother as they deal with their situation.

Along the way we meet other representative characters who interact with the Lesters and with each other. Legrand Parmenter is a neighbor and friend to Hattie who leaves to join the fight. Captain Stephen Hopewell is a reporter attached to the Union army, originally from New York state. Zip is a newly-released slave who follows the army ranks. Tybee Jo Swett is a prisoner released from the capital city of Milledgeville, and he makes his way back to Savannah to finish his business. Alpheus Winks is a Union sergeant from Putnam County, Indiana, whose small band of men "forage liberally" throughout the countryside. Isaiah Flegg is a New Jersey carpetbagger who kidnaps blacks and ships them north to substitute for Union men choosing not to fight. The Drewgoods are relatives of the Lesters who deem themselves in a higher class. And then there's General William Tecumseh Sherman himself, who makes a few appearances and interactions of his own.

"Savannah" is not as long or as detailed as past Jakes volumes, and it is not the best book he's ever written. It's still worthy of reading, though, especially since it highlights a portion of our history that I suspect is unfamiliar to many of us. And it will surprise those readers who believe the same stories and rumors that Hattie and her mother heard before encountering the Yankees themselves.

Rating:
Summary: Lightweight Jakes
Review: Having thoroughly enjoyed "Charleston", I was excited to find that John Jakes new novel was in a similar vein. The new book, set in December of 1864, examines the city of Savannah during Sherman's occupation during the holidays. The book attempts to show that though the country was divided, they were still Americans, this illustrated by the generosity of either side at times during this time. This was a feel good novel, but not very deep.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I wait with anticipation for John Jakes to complete a new book. I enjoyed "Charleston" but "Savannah" is a disappointment. I usually can't put Jakes' books down, this one was hard to pick up. When I retired from teaching in 2001, my first "fun thing" to do was to re-read the Kent Family Chronicles. I accomplished it within a month. It took me almost a month to read "Savannah". It lacked character development and suspense. I will be waiting for his next book though, as I am a life long fan.

Rating:
Summary: Overpriced and overrated
Review: If I didn't see his name on the DJ as the author I'd swear it was written by some fledgling writer grasping to find a plot and failing to do so. After paying an inflated overprice of $32.95 one expects Jakes to deliver. He didn't. The book is nonsensical, immature and does not in any sense of the word deliver anything to the Reader in the way of entertainment. Being a lifelong fan of Jakes I am astounded to find he has allowed his name on the book. Yes...it IS that bad. Save your money.

Rating:
Summary: A pleasing historical story
Review: John Jakes has again written a historical novel that holds the reader's attention. The book begins with an introduction by the author giving a synopsis of the historical period the novel is about. There is even period music with Dulcimers and Banjos.

Any student of history knows of Sherman's march to the sea. Savannah is about that march and of the hardships of a city caught in the path of war. It is set at Christmas time 1864. The main characters are a Yankie reporter named Stephen Hopewell, a Southern plantation owner Sara Lester and her daughter, Sara's friend, Miss V and a Yankie Sargent named Winks. These characters come together to prove that even in war and on opposite sides love conquers all. Winks doesn't like Negros and yet saves one from drowning. Sara, a widow, believes she should hate Yankies. Daughter, Hattie, finds growing up doesn't stop just because a war is going on. She even finds herself making demands of General Sherman himself.

There were so many characters, that at times, it was hard to keep them all straight but as the novel went on, it became easier and was well worth listening to the novel. If you are a history buff, John Jakes is the writer for you.

Rating:
Summary: Not his best, but good entertainment nonetheless
Review: SAVANNAH or A GIFT FOR MR. LINCOLN by John Jakes
October 22, 2004

I've read a number of books by John Jakes, and this one is definitely going to be remembered as my least favorite. John Jakes is known for his epic-like historical novels that have almost soap-opera-ish story lines, but they are great entertainment and always are known for name-dropping. And while SAVANNAH does include a few famous historical characters, for the most part it is does not compare to the likes of THE KENT FAMILY CHRONICLES or the NORTH AND SOUTH trilogy.

SAVANNAH is a much simpler novel, a story focusing on several people living in the South at the height of the Civil War. It takes place in this famous town of Georgia, and reads pretty much like a Young Adult novel, which I suspect, was intentional. This story line leads to Christmas, and one can imagine that Jakes wanted this book to be read by young and old alike.

One of the main characters is Harriet, a precocious twelve-year old who is outspoken and head strong. She is an endearing character, stands out and helps makes the novel interesting. In fact, the characters are what kept me reading. Jakes has a talent for creating characters that are likeable, and he uses them to tell his stories that are right out of the history books. This book would have been so much better if it were geared towards adults, but it is possible Jakes wanted to try something different. I am not sorry for having read SAVANNAH, but it is not a book I would highly recommend except for the most ardent fan.

Rating:
Summary: Poor Effort
Review: Very disapointed. For an author I would follow (buy) anywhere, this book seems like a kids version of what could have been a much more developed and detailed novel along the lines of Jakes other masterpieces. Even paying a discounted ~$15.00, I feel I was ripped off. Hope it is not a portent of things to come.