North and South

North and South Trilogy, Book 1

By: John Jakes

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 30 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Two strangers, young men from Pennsylvania and South Carolina, meet on the way to West Point.... Thus begins this brilliant novel of antebellum America, spanning three generations and chronicling the lives and loves of two great family dynasties. The Hazards and the Mains are brought together in bonds of friendship and affection that neither jealousy nor violence can shatter - until a storm of events sunders the nation and brings the cataclysm of war!

©1982 John Jakes (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Interesting Look at Civil War Era Society & Culture

This book effectively uses the CW as a backdrop to explore the attitudes and culture of the divided Union and the cataclysm of slavery. I thought the characters were well developed with plenty of conflict and adversaries to keep it intriguing while observing the social norms and attitudes of that era. Grover Garner is an excellent narrator and I especially like because I can listen at 1.25 - 1.5x speed. I liked so much I subsequently purchased and listened to the final 2 volumes of which are no less compelling.

A broad perspective of the country that is seldom discussed today.

The historical aspect of this book was thoroughly enjoyable. It does a great job of humanizing both sides, helping us to remember that it isn’t as simple as good vs. evil in the way we think of it today.

The love scenes or descriptions of the women lusting after men and power were so clearly written from a mans perspective that it made it laughable and a tad cringe.
Overall a great book. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next one in the series.

Amazing characters

40 years ago I read the book. I fell in love with the series and was extremely disappointed when I finished it, disappointed because it was over. The characters are real, the background is clearly illustrated and well written. John Jakes is one of the greatest writers of all time and his stories are very character driven. North and South is as purely American as the war the story is based on. People want to put down the history of the Civil War but it will always be part of the history of the United States. The story needs to be told and with John Jakes the story is told extremely well.

love this author.

have also got the Kent family series. have NEVER been disappointed with anything he has written. only issue I have is that the last book in the series kinda ends abruptly.

Great story

Books are even better than the tv mini series. I love the story between the two families.

Where America Once Existed

North and South takes the reader on a tour of the animosities and misunderstandings that rose in the United States South, North and West, during the pre-Civil War years. Precisely the preceding twenty year period leading to the attempted breakup of the Union in 1860/61. The author John Jakes does this by telling a wonderful story centered on the friendship that builds between two West Point Cadets and their families. One family from Pennsylvania and the other from South Carolina. One a steel manufacturing family the other a rice growing plantation clan. The story is an – “I cannot put it down for a minute.” Found myself sneaking little moments out of the day to listen to a few more episodes of the plot. Notwithstanding the good story, it is a true awakening to the attitudes of the citizenry of our nation in the lead up to the rebellion. The attitude that John Jakes portrays is generally pitiful. We may have been an emerging great nation but our populace, generally, were pathetic.

This is a wonderful way to consider an epoch time in our past. It is one volume of a three part trilogy; before the war, during the war and after the war. North and South is Book One. This book provides a new methodology for Civil War students to consider the tragedy of the War Between the States. It is a worthwhile read and an intriguing read? Lincoln plays just about no part in this story it is a tale of the people their ethics and anticipations.

Very well done.

The TV mini series mirrored the book nicely, with only a few variations. This was a great listen over several days. Well worth it.

The standard of Historical Fictions

I have read all of the Kent Family Chronicles, Charleston, and The Gods of Newport. All of them where enjoyable, but Charleston and this book are on an entire other level. Absolutely FANTASTIC, the characters, the flow, and his ability to keep it all interesting really makes history come alive. I’m looking forward to the rest. Also I highly recommend Charleston if you enjoyed this book as much as I.

Fascinating Read

My mother's ancestors had a plantation in Lexington, KY and owned slaves. My father's ancestors arrived on the Mayflower and became farmers in Massachusetts. I grew in in TN. This book gave me such insight into the dilemma faced by the people of the Country during the pre-Civil War era, and perhaps faced by my own family. I found it gripping. I can't wait to move on to the next two in the series.

Excellent historical fiction

Where does North and South rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very good, a favorite

What was one of the most memorable moments of North and South?

Orry and George against Bent.

Which scene was your favorite?

Orry and George taking down Bent, several times.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

A must-have for fans of historical fiction.