Sample
  • North and South

  • North and South Trilogy, Book 1
  • By: John Jakes
  • Narrated by: Grover Gardner
  • Length: 30 hrs and 11 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (3,001 ratings)

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North and South  By  cover art

North and South

By: John Jakes
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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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.

What listeners say about North and South

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,987
  • 4 Stars
    707
  • 3 Stars
    195
  • 2 Stars
    67
  • 1 Stars
    45
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • 3 Stars
    156
  • 2 Stars
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    24
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,836
  • 4 Stars
    569
  • 3 Stars
    167
  • 2 Stars
    54
  • 1 Stars
    38

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Entertaining pop history

I enjoyed this pre-Civil War novel. The stories of the characters are interwoven well with the history of the time. It took me a while before I connected with the characters, but the novel grew on me as it progressed. Love, rivalry, revenge, and slavery are big parts of this story of connections between people in the North and the South. Two families are bound by a deep friendship between West Point cadets, and the drama follows from there. The characters are a little black and white, with the bad people truly despicable and the good people almost all good. But Jakes did successfully get me rooting for the good guys and hating the bad guys. While it felt a bit manipulative at times, I let it happen and enjoyed the listen. The story has a good number of characters and subplots, and is wrapped smartly into a cohesive whole. The history was more believable than the characters. I rarely read or listen to a sequel right away, but I have already bought the sequel to this and will listen to it next. The reader is solid and well suited to this story.

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24 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

better than last time

Would you consider the audio edition of North and South to be better than the print version?

I read it many years ago and the audio version brought it to life. Great listen

What did you like best about this story?

the feeling you are there with the characters, both in Pa and in the South

Have you listened to any of Grover Gardner’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

no

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Finally!

Any additional comments?

I am so glad to see that some of the older books are coming out in unabridged audio formats. Please Audible, don't stop!

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

True History! Great Story!!!

I love historical fiction when it is done right. This novel was great in that way. True historical events happen to and around the fictional characters. I hear a deep and complex story of interwoven families; live and grow with them. All the while, they are impacted by the current events around them. The impending Civil War. I like to learn a little bit while I am being entertained!! I only left off a star because there was no one particular character that I fell in love with.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful story

The story between the two families and the love for each other is a wonderful part of the story. It is beautifully written and transports the reader to the darker days of American history. I can’t wait to read the next book!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Life in words of a transition in America

Vivid descriptions of the landscapes and the interactions of the characters. I liked the transition from peace to war.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

Would you consider the audio edition of North and South to be better than the print version?

Book is very well written and brings together the conflicts that were starting to pull friendhsips apart and the narrator is very good at bringing all of the personalities out. I truly enjoyed it,

What three words best describe Grover Gardner’s voice?

His voice is compelling-wants me to keep on reading.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thoughtful narrative

it was interesting to hear of opposition by southerners to slavery and by northerners to punishment of southerners.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Better than the Miniseries

A true American epic told in such a fashion one could almost believe it took place.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Riveting

This works narration and storyline literally make you feel you're in the book. Will read more of his

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