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The Americans (Kent Family Chronicles #8)
by
John Jakes
The Kent Family Chronicles conclude with Gideon Kent in failing health and his heirs unready to uphold the family legacy of service when their country needs them most.
Paperback, 816 pages
Published
May 3rd 2005
by Signet
(first published October 15th 1979)
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The last of a series of 8 - The Americans - about the Kent Family Chronicles - was good to the last word. Gideon is so frustrated with his 3 children...none of which seem to be interested in "making their mark" in the world. Alas, in the end two of them turn around and the 3rd shows some signs of still learning about life and considering changing. In this book we go through the great flood of 1889 in Johnstown PA. The first natural disaster to get the Red Cross moving. Also a natural d...more
This last book in the series, starts in 1883, and follows the Kents of the latest generation: Carter, Eleanor, Will, and Thomas. The father Gideon starts off being very pessimistic about their chances of achieving success in the world. By the end of the book, Gideon and Julia talk about the family, and the fact that the 3 children seem to be making their mark in the world. Gideon feels much more happy about them than he had a year earlier. At the end of their conversation, Gideon very quietl...more
I tried hard to wrap up the Kent Family Chronicles in November, but it was not to be. Still, it's just December 2nd and I've completed this goal for 2011. The Americans follows Gideon's two children, Will and Eleanor, and his stepson, Carter, as they try to find their way in the world as the 20th century approaches. All three go astray from the Kent family ideals and Gideon wonders if the family will survive. Once again, well known people and events cross paths with the family, including fut...more
the 7th volume in the series about the kent family covers the robber barons of the great railroads, the forming of unions for just and fair wages and benefits, the beginning of suffrage movement, and the rough and tumble of the west as it continues to be settled. presidents grant and hayes are in term and the corruption makes AIG look loke a lovers picnic. one more volumn to go!
This was the final book of the series, ending in 1876, not the 1976 orginally planned. I began to wonder if he just lost interest in the whole messed up Kent family and wanted to be done with it and move on. This was far better than it's predecessors but did leave one relative out of the final wrap up entirely.
John Jakes' reputation for historical accuracy, his writing style, and the story he tells of the fictional Kent family combine to makes the entire 8-volume family saga absolutely wonderful. Reading this series was key in getting me "hooked" on the historical-fiction genre.
Well I finished the 8 volume set of the Kent Family Chronicles. This takes the Kent family up to 1897. The book deals with Carter, Eleanor and Will. A little disappointed because it was pretty predictable.
I enjoyed Will's summer with a young Theodore Roosevelt and the Johnstown flood Eleanor went through.
I would love to see Jakes update the Kent family but I doubt he will do that though.
I enjoyed Will's summer with a young Theodore Roosevelt and the Johnstown flood Eleanor went through.
I would love to see Jakes update the Kent family but I doubt he will do that though.
Good finish to a very long tale. Doesn't fulfill the promise of taking the Kent family right on up to 1976 but that's okay. Enough of the Kents and time for something else. Enjoyed this series but man it is a commitment.
Thanks to the author for keeping it going as long as he did.
Thanks to the author for keeping it going as long as he did.
I remember waiting for each of these books to be published when I was a kid, the way that kids waited for each Harry Potter novel. It was great to revisit them, many years later...
Conclusion of a long series. Now I'll never no the outcome of the lives of Will, Eleanor, and Carter. And of any Kent children to follow. A truly fascinating series from pre-revolutionary USA to near the end of the 19th Century.
Honestly, this is how I truly learned American history. These books follow generations of the "Kents" and their lives in America.
This was the beginning of my reading long after college. I broke my ankle and Aunt Mae and Robyn brought me the first couple of this series and that reatarted my interest in reading.
Nicole Gust
added it
He wrapped this up very nicely. I'm sorry to see it end but it's time to move on to new books.
the book was good but after all these books, I was starting to get tired of the series.
Bridgett
marked it as to-read
the only other one i got from this series...so, i have 1 and 8
Kent Family Chronicles Volume 8 Great Series - Sorry to see it end.
The last of the Kent chronicles series. LOVED THEM ALL!
I read this series the summer before my 8th grade year. And I remember I really liked them. On the pre-test for American History I aced it, got the highest in the whole school, and I credit it all to these books. They are a great way to learn American History. I found the whole series at a yard sale this summer, and bought them, excited to read them again. But they weren't as good the second time. In fact, I didn't even finish the series. Maybe you have to know nothing about American Hist...more
Get absorbed in the drama.
It took me forever to read the last installment in this series - not because I didn't enjoy it, but because I didn't want it to end.
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To all good stories there must be an "end" and this book is it. These were excellent tales (fiction) but could have been real stories of real Americans. Tragedy, comedy, love, hate, courage and cowardice all displayed by the frailties of human lives. Thank you, John Jakes, for a satisfying and enjoyable set of books!
I believe this is the conclusion of the Kent Family Chronicles. The tale of America from its pre revolutionary roots to the turn of the 20th century. The entire series is well worth the time invested. Jakes tells the story of our country through the eyes of an fictional family, history comes alive.
Craig&kerri
rated it
Recommends it for:
Adults liking history mixed with fictional characters
Recommended to Craig&kerri by:
Craig-my husband
Actually of all the Kent Family Chronicle books, this was took me the longest to read, however; it was one the of the best. I absolutely love the story and is so very well written. Kudos to the author for a job well done.
The last book of the Kent Chronicles-Have enjoyed the journey very much.
This was a good book but I am glad to finish out the series. I have found myself skimming through some of the details in the final books.
I read this entire series of books two times as a kid. Probably gave me a warped sense of American history, but I really enjoyed them.
I am finally done with this series. It was pretty good. If you like North and South, you should like this too.
Not finishing as strong as it started; but still, overall, a tying up of story lines.
I enjoyed reading these, they are my mom's original mass markets.
Tiffany
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
historical fiction fans, people interested in US history
Book VIII (the final book) of The Kent Family Chronicles.
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John Jakes is the acknowledged contemporary master of the family saga. He is the creator of the legendary eight-volume Kent Family Chronicles, the Main and Hazard families of The North and South Trilogy, and the Crowns of Chicago, German-Americans whose stories interweave the history of the twentieth century in Homeland and its se...more
More about John Jakes...
John Jakes is the acknowledged contemporary master of the family saga. He is the creator of the legendary eight-volume Kent Family Chronicles, the Main and Hazard families of The North and South Trilogy, and the Crowns of Chicago, German-Americans whose stories interweave the history of the twentieth century in Homeland and its se...more
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