Heaven and Hell

Volume Three of the North and South Trilogy

By: John Jakes

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 28 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

From America's master storyteller and writer of historical fiction comes the dramatic conclusion to the North and South saga.

The Civil War has ended, but the Hazards and Mains have yet to face their greatest struggles. Even as the embers of old hatreds continue to burn in the heart of a nation torn apart by war, a new future in the West awaits a new generation of Americans seeking a life of their own - and a place to call their own.

Filled with all of the vivid drama, passion, and action that have made John Jakes the acclaimed master of historical fiction, Heaven and Hell is the tumultuous final chapter in one of the greatest epics of our time.

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

Learn from a New Perspective on Civil War History

John Jake provides in Book Three of the North South Trilogy, the three volume series’ teaching. The Beast is always here. The Beast being evil: particularly as found in select hominoid subjects found throughout humanity and the novels. According to Jake, we must learn to live with evil’s omnipresence and somehow survive notwithstanding.

North and South is Book One. Love and War is Book Two, and this volume, Heaven and Hell is Book Three. I have reviewed the earlier books separately. The tale remains a wonderful read or listen. It continues to follow the Main and Hazard family individuals and how they act and react against the circumstances of the Civil War years. Often amongst themselves as well as society as a whole. This book deals with the Indian Wars and emergence of the Klu Klux Klan in South Carolina. Because John Jake is a good storyteller the plot is a good read but, in this edition of the trilogy I became frustrated by the repeated personal choice mistakes of the hero and heroines. With the exception of one character, none of the others ever seem to have corrected their weak or deviant way. The one character that did mature with the novel was amongst the vilest of the original family members. Life wore him/her down to a state of reassessment. No one else in about a dozen family members. So the story became a little frustrating. Nevertheless, if one has read Books One and Two, Book three is interesting and completes the pseudo history.

Finally, its setting in the post-civil war years does provide some wonderful reconsiderations of what really occurred in our nation’s history – as opposed to what we may have been taught I grade school.

Better Than Expected

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This Trilogy is a must read for anyone who enjoys American History and particularly the Civil War era. The characters are very well developed and interesting. Loved this series of books and wish it did not end at 3. Grover Gardner does an excellent job of narrating. Each character was brought to life by Grover. I would recommend all 3 books to a friend because this series shows a side of the Civil War that we do not see a lot of. The devastation of the South near the end of the war.

If you could take any character from Heaven and Hell out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Charles - He experienced so much in all three books

Great story surrounding the Civil War

This trilogy kept my attention throughout. The characters came alive. The story depicted the era so well. With some of the history of the times included, I felt I could have been there. The narrator was outstanding!

This is Our Country, so it Continues

So pertinent to the headlines of 2022, history repeating itself. Can we love one another?

Well Written and Very Enjoyable

I did not want this wonderful trilogy to end. To me, the North South Trilogy is a classic.
John Jakes tells a great story including the historical events with people who are easy to relate to.
Grover Gardner has a relaxing voice to listen to. His warm voice felt like a good friend.

Besides learning much about the 1842 -1876 history of the US, I was able to see deeper into how the politics of the day affected people’s lives before, during and after the Civil War. It was not an enviable time to live from where we stand.
I am very glad to have had the opportunity to delve into John Jakes epic tale of two families and will remember it fondly as one if my favorite books.

the Trilogy

loved all 3 and tho I know it's a novel, see much truth in the message and wish . . .

not sure if follow up book mentioned in epilogue had been written but will search

I loved the entire trilogy!

I could hardly wait to listen each time. Very enjoyable. I have come to know the Characters.

Trilogy

This trilogy is excellent!! I would recommend it to anyone who likes history and a good story!

Fitting end

Most enjoyable end to the trilogy. Criticism that the book leaned to heavily towards Charles and his life are unfounded. If you enjoyed the first two books, you will enjoy this one.

Very good

I liked this book a lot yes I did. I liked it a real lot