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Summary: Dalton's Reading List
Review: Enjoy all his books. Good story teller.
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Summary: Too didactic
Review: I didn't really "finish" this book, but rather quit reading it in the middle. Written in 1974, it is the first in a series of eight books following one family through 200 years of American history, commemorating the Bicentennial celebrated in 1976.
Although Jakes is a skillful writer, I couldn't shake the feeling that the history lesson was too obvious. The prose often seemed didactic, particularly when one character conveniently knew so much more information that he would be likely to know. I got the impression that the author built the novels around a framework of the history lessons he wanted to tell. Granted, everyone who writes historic fiction has to do this to some extent, but no other author I've read made it so obvious.
Specifically, what made me give up on the book was the stilted way that the protagonist reached the conclusion that emmigrating to the American colonies was his best choice; i.e. he wanted to be free in a land where a man could prosper with his abilities and appetite for hard work.
"The Bastard" (and probably the rest of the series) could have been better if the author had spent more time making the characters seem real. As it is, his characters are little more than devices to move the plot along.
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Summary: Fascinating Historical saga
Review: I do admit that I love historical fiction. I've read a lot on the Civil War that way ~~ and now I am reading John Jake's American series. I have forgotten how wonderful a story-teller John Jake is! From the very first word he manages to ensnare the reader into a life very different from our own. He fires the reader's imagination to the hardships and the horrors, the inspirations and dreams of ordinary people that help shape our country to be what it is today.
This novel focuses on Philip Kent, an illegimate son of a Duke in England. Though born and raised in France, Philip was taught by his mother to be educated in spite of their poverty. His mother's dream was to see her son walking among the nobility. Circumstances destroyed that dream and his mother and forced them to flee France and England to the colonies across the sea. Caught up in the fervor of the times, Philip becomes one of the Colonies' fighters and dreamers.
If you're interested in reading a bit on the Revolution ~~ this book is a great start to get you going. I wish I had read this series years ago. This is wonderful ~~ full of stories of all humans from all walks of life and it definitely fires your imagination as you read about lives past.
12-20-04
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Summary: Stilted dialog; inconsistent & unsympathetic characters
Review: I love John Jakes and after finishing vol I, I expect the story to get better and better. The writing style is excellent, easy to follow and flows perfectly....Can't wait to read the remainder of the chronicles. If they are half as good as North and South, I will be happy.
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Summary: Addicted Me to the Series
Review: I picked up this book at a garage sale and made the mistake of buying this book and then reading it. It was a mistake because this book is so good and addictive that I had to find the succeeding books in the series, which was no easy task. This book introduces the Kent clan's founder Phillip Kent. Forced to flee his native England he sneaks his way to the colonies. Along the way he meets several interesting historical characters from his good friend Lafayette to Ben Franklin. A ton of historical fact is presented here that the reader will remember more than if they read a textbook.
Rating:
Summary: Addicted Me to the Series
Review: I picked up this book at a garage sale and made the mistake of buying this book and then reading it. It was a mistake because this book is so good and addictive that I had to find the succeeding books in the series, which was no easy task. This book introduces the Kent clan's founder Phillip Kent. Forced to flee his native England he sneaks his way to the colonies. Along the way he meets several interesting historical characters from his good friend Lafayette to Ben Franklin. A ton of historical fact is presented here that the reader will remember more than if they read a textbook.
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Summary: Writing at its best!
Review: I read all the series in the Kent Family Chronicles ten years ago when I was a senior in high school. I could not put them down and was fascinated by what each generation of this family went through. At the time, I was studying American History and these books made everything click and placed it all in perspective. John Jakes is the one who inspired me to work towards my dream of a writing career and to pursue a degree in junior high or high school history. He is one of my very favorite authors. He makes history come alive and helps one to understand it all. The breathtaking romance and nail biting adventure and thrills are just the icing on the cake. I loved every book in the series, although the "Warriors" is my favorite and "Jeremiah", my favorite Kent family member. I look forward to rereading them all again soon.
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Summary: Perfect Combination -- History and Story Telling
Review: I started with the North & South Trilogy and was deeply depressed when it was over. I deeply missed the characters and just didn't want it to end. Therefore, what could be better than a John Jakes story that takes 8 books to complete!! Once you read The Bastard, you won't be able to stop until you read them all. This is a great book containing three different stories or stages surrounding the life of our first Kent -- Phillip. All of these stories collide for a finale that is as good as anything I have ever read. One of the best parts of this book is how Jakes uses Ben Franklin as the key character in bringing the story together. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. The story is superb and the history lesson makes you proud to be an American. I can't wait to start Book Two -- The Rebels!!
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Summary: A Great Start to the Kent Family Chronicles
Review: My grandmother gave me the hardcover edition of the entire Kent Family Chronicles over two years ago. After reading several other non-related books, I finally decided to pick up The Bastard and start reading. Well, the book was so good that I ended up finishing it in 3 days just so that I could get on to the next book to see what happens next!!! John Jakes is an exceptional writer who has the ability to write about history, love, deception, you name it...and he makes all of his characters seem so alive that it is not hard to picture all of the different scenes that he creates. He nails the classic love story right on the head with the twists and turns between Philip's (the main character) feelings for both Anne and Alicia, and the choices that Philip has to make. Also, I love how Philip is always fortunate enough to met some of our most pivotal members of American History, such as Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and so on. If you truly want to learn more about American history in a fun and exciting way, then definately pick up this book and start reading. You cannot go wrong!!
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Summary: Welcome to US History 101!
Review: Philipe is a Frenchman and the bastard some of an English duke. He is teased and ostracized most of his life because no one in his hometown in France really believes that he is the son of a duke and because his mother used to be an actress. After the death of his father, his half-brother and stepmother make it clear that he is unwelcome in their home, so he decides to move to the colonies and start a new life. Once he arrives in Boston, he unintentionally becomes enmeshed in the revolutionary fervor that is blossoming in the town. The education he recieved as the son of a duke was very enlightened for its time, allowing Phillipe to appreciate and understand the "new" political theories emerging as the colonies break from the British empire. This is the first book in the Kent Family Chronicles, which charts the history of one family from before the American Revolution to the late 1900s. As a first book in a series, the scene, tone, and family character is well set. John Jakes writes his story with an eye for detail and for entertainment. As I read this series when I was 14, I frequently use these stories as a reference point when remembering details of American history. I highly recommned this series for anyone who wants to learn early US history but doesn't like to read history text books.
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