American Dreams

By: John Jakes

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann

Length: 2 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of North and South comes this remarkable story, chronicling America during the turbulent period from 1906 to 1917. American Dreams follows the children of the German-immigrant Crown family first introduced in Homeland: Fritz, an actress who leaves Broadway for California and meets the movers and shakers of the silent film industry, Griffith, Pickford, even Chaplin. Carl is a car racer, aviator, and overall thrill-seeker whose fast-paced lifestyle leads him to an encounter with Henry Ford and ultimately to the war-torn skies over WWI France. Finally, there's Paul, a moviemaker and famous newsreel cameraman who finds his destiny filming the devastation of that war.

©1998 John Jakes (P)1998 NewStar Media Inc.

Critic reviews

"[John Jakes] makes history come alive." (The Washington Post Book World)
"A master at the ancient art of storytelling." (The New York Times Book Review)

Entertaining

This was a story about a family from Chicago in the early 20th Century. We follow the family as each child has dreams that do not include working in their family business. I usually read non-fiction, but every once in a while I read some fiction. This was the kind of story I wanted to keep listening to. I was truly interested in the characters and what happened to them. It was fun.

The story takes place around all the events of the early Century including the changes that impacted society with the war.

Edward Herrmann was remarkable. A very talented reader.