Rating: 
Summary: A STUPID, TERRIBLE BOOK!
Review: A book must be really BAD if I can't even read the second chapter!! I can't believe that paper was wasted publishing this atrocious mess!
Rating: 
Summary: venerable Veritas
Review: Ah, Harvard! If you've spent time in Cambridge or at the college, then this book will very likely resonate with you. Familiar and redolent names like Holden Chapel and Hicks House and Houghton Library (and that's just the "h"s!) are everywhere. If you haven't been back to the Yard in a while, but want to take a trip down memory lane without booking a flight to Logan, this is the book for you.It's not just for alums and Cambridge townies, though. There's a wonderful historical-fiction novel wrapped in a very interesting detective story, too. From Shakespeare to the Puritans, from the Revolution to the Civil War, from the Titanic to the take-over of University Hall, the book spins a thoroughly engrossing tale. This is a fun, enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: Harvard Yawn
Review: An atrocious historical novel about the history of Harvard and the fictional (I hope) Wedge family, who infest the venerable school like termites in the woodwork. From the 17th century through the 20th, the generations of Wedges parading through the Yard look and sound as if they're all the same tedious, self-satisfied bore, simply moved from one century into the next. The other characters -- and the thin bibliomystery that holds the thing together -- are almost as mind-numbing. At times I suspected that Martin fell asleep while he was writing it. Yalies everywhere must be giggling.
Rating: 
Summary: Return to Form
Review: Bill Martin returns to a familiar and comfortable style in Harvard Yard. His historical "then and now" narrative gives the reader a unique sense as to how the past is always intertwined with the now. While the multi-narrated style of Citizen Washington worked well, it is in this form that Mr.Martin seems most insightful. Like Back Bay and Cape Cod, Mr. Martin covers familiar ground. At first, I thought the topic could be too parochial for mass consumption. However, after reading the novel, I realized this is not just the story of the history of one institution in Boston, but is a metaphor for the evolution of education in America. Harvard has been a leader and innovator in the American style of college education. Mr.Martin expertly shows how innovation need not scacrifice tradition. As always, Mr. Martin is able to pull pertinent history of the times to his central story. As always, I learned much. For those with a Harvard connection, this is a must read. For those who are interested in the history of American education, this book will fill your plate. And for those who just enjoy reading, this is a treat
Rating:
Summary: Martin at his best
Review: Harvard Yard is entralling. It melds history, fact and fiction in an exquisitely dramatic way. I could not put this book down and, as is true with any excellent novel, at the end I was sad to see the characters go. It's been a week or so and the characters stay with me - alway the sign of a great book. Thank you, Mr. Martin, once again you have brought me hours of pleaure.
Rating:
Summary: Martin's Very Best
Review: Harvard Yard is William Martin's very best in a pantheon of excellent novels. The fortunes of Harvard, the people who brought the college into being and the four hundred years of history, with all the pathos, ethos and Thanatos found in the very best historical novels. Martin goes for the double story here, as he had in Back Bay and Cape Cod: the historical story moving forward through time told through the eyes of a cast of facinating characters who went to Harvard and built this nation - and the current story in which the main character and the woman he loves discover a dark secret at Harvard that could change the fortunes of the world. I read it straight through, wanting more. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: pleasantly surprised
Review: I picked this book up on a whim because I could not find anything else that interested me. I did not have high expectations, but the book was surprisingly intriguing. I confess that I tend to like stories with an historical foundation. The premise of the book is a treasure hunt for a lost, one-of-a-kind Shakespeare play called "Love's Labours Won". But that plot line really takes a back seat to the rich character development and the tracing of the Wedge family through the most important events in American history from the Salam witch trials in the 1600's, through the major wars, and to the present day. Along the way we are also treated to some amusing stories about the founding and development of Harvard University. I was a bit disappointed by the slapstick-chase at the end-Martin is not as good at action as Clancy and others. However, I will now seek out his past works for (hopefully) some more enjoyment.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful trip through the times past!
Review: I thought this book would take me weeks to finish, but I was done in just a few days. I read these pages very quickly because the book was so good--even thought I didn't go to the Harvard University. I will tell my friends about this.
Rating:
Summary: Another great read
Review: I waited a long time since Citizen Washington for Bill Martin's next book and was not disappointed. I read it in about two days,only putting it down long enough to go to work. I may be a little biased since I am from and presently live in Boston, but its all part of the fun, since after reading this you can go to the places that are described and see it for yourself. One of these days I will get down to Annapolis also. Like Back Bay, Harvard Yard is a combination history lesson and treasure hunt. What could be better?
Rating: 
Summary: did i read the same book as the rest of you???
Review: i wanted to love Harvard Yard as much as Back Bay and Cape Cod (2 of Martin's earlier books) but something about it fell terribly flat. Although similar in its blend of past history with present day mystery, in 'Yard, too much time was spent developing the historical characters to the detriment of the central plot. at times i found myself counting pages and wondering when I'd get back to the real story! another complaint i have is sloppy editting. too much repetition; "a man is known by his books" was quoted at least a thousand times...and the inability to do simple computation: Fallon's age wasn't figured correctly for the time period in which the story took place. although some might find these minor points, errors like that color my opinion of the finished product. overall, Harvard Yard was too long, only mildly interesting, and not cohesive enough for me to recommend.
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