Rating:  Summary: Life explained from when the world was flat Review: I read the book "The Journeyer" almost ten years ago now. However the pictures in my mind are as vivid as though it was yesterday. Reading this book evokes a feeling of being on the scene as the triumphant travels of Marco Polo take place before your very eyes. Gary Jennings has mastered the art of expressing the thought process of people who have yet to understand all that we know and are lead to believe today. I was in tenth grade at the time and hadn't read a book more than 100 pages long. However, through the use of clever narration and magical descriptions I was not able to put this book down. For those of us who despair at the thought of not being able to discover unknown lands anymore I urge you to relive the adventure and adrenalin raising fear of "The Journeyer".
Rating:  Summary: Aztec Autumn is a very disappointing sequel to Aztec Review: I am a huge fan of Jennings other books, including Spangle, The Journeyer and Aztec. All of them rate a 10+! Not-so Aztec Autumn. Aztec Autumn has none of the depth nor detail found in the critically-acclaimed Aztec. None of the characters in Aztec Autumn captured my imagination or held my interest. The historical events and locations described by Jennings are ordinary, lacking any zest, originality or intrigue. I can only conclude Jennings wrote this book under some kind of duress. Aztec Autumn is that bad when compared to ANY of his other books!
Rating:  Summary: A book I read out of obligation and love out of admiration Review: My mother has an extensive library and until may of last year, I was under the impression that I had read every book. Until she pulled down an old and beaten copy of Gary Jennings' "The Journeyer". When she announced that it was about Marco Polo, I was less than thrilled. I'm not a huge history buff. After the first page, I was hooked. What the book actually is is a fictional autobiography of Polo, starting with his childhood in the streets of Venice, the son of a successful shipper/merchant. The story goes on to tell of his adventures abroad with his father and uncle, spanning a life time and a world of new adventures and new loves. Jennings' all-too-rare ability to paint characters that are both hero and villian, both admirable and lothsome, the are HUMAN is simply incredible. You simply cannot read this book without becomming attached to the characters. So much was I, in fact, that toward the end, I would allow myself only two pages a day that it might last a little bit longer. The story is tragic and hilarious and inspiring and daunting. It's REAL. I can't recommend this ( and the rest of Jennings' works) enough. Enjoy.
Rating:  Summary: Gary Jennings' books Review: I read "The Journeyor" during lunch over a period of several weeks. By my desk there was a large world map, which I used to keep track of the Polo family's whereabouts. Mr. Jennings didn't miss a single landmark on the trip! I learned of "Aztec" in 1984, read it, and have read everything of his since. "Aztec Autumn" was sort of a disappointment, and I rate it at the bottom of the list (all by itself). "Spangle" was a hard one to find, so I tried the library (DUH!!) and a couple days later I was wrapped up in the history of the circus. I wish every book I've ever read were as captivating as these.
Rating:  Summary: Interesting Review: You must understand that before reading this book their is some... interesting material described in vivid detail. There is heavy sexual situations and violence, yet interestingly enough, little objectional language due to the fact that he uses quite frequently old Italian or other languages for slang. It's a good book, but you must be forewarned: This is not kind of book you should read for school and write summaries about. I made that mistake, although with humorous results.
Rating:  Summary: Truly a journey of a lifetime Review: Jennings is just a master story-teller. The way he weaves historical fact and fiction into an epic story is just amazing. Before you know it, you will be lost in another time.
Rating:  Summary: This is one hell of a journey!! Review: Exotic, erotic, heroic, and a real page turner. Just buy it, read it, and begin your own journey!! I loved it.
Rating:  Summary: His best, just awesome, WOW Review: I loved this book. I am a big fan of Jennings and a big fan of historical fiction. It is a shame that this book is not in print anymore....go find it somewhere and read it....
Rating:  Summary: A superb example of an excellent historical novel Review: I just finished reading the Journeyer, and can not say enough good things about it. I read Aztec previous to this book and was quite impressed with the author's writing ability. Although I did not think it possible, this book surpassed even Aztec in it's vivid discriptions, interesting characters and awesome adventure. The book artfully and imaginatively fills in the gaps of Marco Polo's journey across Asia, bringing to life each character as Gary Jennings does so brilliantly in Aztec as well. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in adventure, history, travel and great reading.
Rating:  Summary: A Wonderful Book! Review: I read this book quite some time ago, but I still can remember it quite vividly. It's that kind of book. It's one that stays with you forever. Few authors can achieve this feat. I think this is the best book I've ever read about travel and seeing the world. I compare others to it, and none can come close.
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