Sentenced to a life of misery in the Scottish coal mines, twenty-one-year-old Mack McAsh hungers for escape. His only ally: beautiful high-born Liz...
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Dec 06, 2011
Ed
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I liked this book for a different reason then I like some other book sIve read.
This was the last christmas gift I ever gave my father for christmas 1995, I was very sick in 1996 and didnt get gifts for any one, he died before the next christmas, I had not been thinking of it or able to read it until recently, I found the book that I gave him , I never asked him what he thought about it, that is one of the best things about reading a book is being able to talk with some body about it.
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This was the last christmas gift I ever gave my father for christmas 1995, I was very sick in 1996 and didnt get gifts for any one, he died before the next christmas, I had not been thinking of it or able to read it until recently, I found the book that I gave him , I never asked him what he thought about it, that is one of the best things about reading a book is being able to talk with some body about it.
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Nov 27, 2011
Eliza
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Lizzie Hallim est une jeune fille de la noblesse, élevée par sa mère dans l'attente d'un mariage qui préservera leur riche propriété de High Glen. Mais Lizzie n'en fait qu'à sa tête et n'hésite pas à flirter avec le cadet de Lord Jamisson, dont on sait qu'il n'aura aucun héritage. Mack MacAsh est un mineur épris de liberté, aux idées révolutionnaires, qui va tomber malgré lui sous le charme de Lizzie. Ces deux-là se croiseront tout au long du roman, dans des circonstances de plus en plus artific
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Oct 11, 2011
Samantha
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A Place Called Freedom follows the character Mack from a coal mine in Scotland to London where he struggles to earn decent pay for himself and other laborers. He ends up in the colony of Virginia still yearning for true freedom. This novel had great potential to be a story as gripping as Pillars of the Earth, but it feels rushed instead. I would have loved more detail about the surroundings and period details about dress, food, & everyday life. I especially thought the story fell short when
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Jan 24, 2011
Dick
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I loved this book!!! It was basically 3 books in one, set in the late 18th century: (1) the coal mines and mining industry of Scotland; (2) industrial London, focusing mainly on the unloading of coal; and (3) colonial America, and the push to escape to, and populate, the frontier. One learns not only the technology of mining coal in that era, but also the terrible conditions that the miners had to endure to earn a living. Then in London, one learns about the intrigue and conditions involved i
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Sep 10, 2011
Patricia
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I was introduced to Ken Follett in "Pillars of the Earth" and this epic is in the same vein but not as lofty or well written. The story starts strong in Scotland in the late 1700's in the world of poor coal miners and rich mine owners and winds its way eventually to America which is on the brink of revolution. The story and characters are rich and engaging and while the novel is long I ended up feeling like the author had still skimmed over their personalities. Perhaps because many of
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Jul 29, 2011
Jean
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very good book, typically Ken Follett's good story-telling. I had no knowledge of the "slavery" aspect of the mining industry in the United Kindom - Scotland, but it should have been apparent to me - i just have never tho't about mining in Scotland at all. It gives a good look at how thruout history the people in power have little concern for the laborer and only the courageous have opposed the powers-that-be. Only in America, particularly colonial America, had there been a chance in
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Jan 12, 2009
William J.
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This very interesting novel should be required reading in social and economic history courses, and for anybody interested in labor and immigration history. Follett gives us the story or Mack McAsh, a coal mining serf from 18th century Scotland. He eventually escapes to London, where he works on the docks unloading the coal ships from Scotland and northern England, and where he gets caught up in labor conflict and social unrest and is imprisoned. His punishment is to be transported to America whe
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Jan 09, 2012
Jolly
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A good read. I really like the way Ken Follett writes, he knows how to get you wrapped up in his stories so that you can read for hours and feel as though no time has passed at all. Yes this is one of those books that follows a pretty standard storyline in terms of how the characters relationships develop and the ending you can pretty much guess at before opening the book. However, I generally read this type of book when I am away for the weekend (as I did this one) and want to be able to read w
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Jul 13, 2011
Tracy
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This book was not as indepth and amazing as Ken Follett's "Pillars Of The Earth"....but it still had a pretty good story and the characters were fun to follow. The classes cast in this book were worlds apart yet they were brought together and it worked. The character imperfections were shown as to make them human and it helped to make me feel anger and joy and sadness and many emotions as I read about their lives. The ending deaths were pretty gruesome but were somewhat earned. It was
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Sep 22, 2010
Anne
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Ken Follett is a guilty pleasure of mine. Who knew I had a thing for sexually explicit historical fiction? At least the historical fiction part. I've read so many of these books that the pattern is easy to identify - you can tell who will end up together in love forever from the very start, but there's so much adversity along the way that it makes for a fun read. This one takes place during the years leading up to the American Revolution and it's a fun and easy and sleazy way for me to learn
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Nov 10, 2011
Kourtney
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Who knew there was such as thing as sexually explicit historical fiction?
I read this during my youngest's recovery from a tonsillectomy- started when they took him into surgery, read while he laid on me during his morphine induced 6 hour nap, and then finished it while he slept on my chest for 24 hours.
This is almost three novels in one- one section about Scotland's mining and caste system, a second about life in London, and then a fascinating take on plantation life in
I read this during my youngest's recovery from a tonsillectomy- started when they took him into surgery, read while he laid on me during his morphine induced 6 hour nap, and then finished it while he slept on my chest for 24 hours.
This is almost three novels in one- one section about Scotland's mining and caste system, a second about life in London, and then a fascinating take on plantation life in
Jan 08, 2011
Isabella
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Main subject is about miner slaves. Portuguese version.A very good novel very touching when it comes to describe the life of the slaves and how much Mack suffered.He was a coal miner and at that century coal miners were like slaves..and always Follet gives the woman in his novel freedom and all women character possess a free will and engage themselves in satisfying their desires like Lizzie here who kept wearing men clothes just to make things as man are free to do.
Dec 31, 2010
Ann
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Read it for the second time. The first time, years ago I wasn't captured by the story. It's the same basic character mix he uses in many of his books: The bad guy with the powerful, political, driven mother. The hero from the lower classes. The girl torn by 2 worlds. But he's researched a lot what it was like to live in particular times and places. This time I read it from a historical perspective and liked it better.
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Apr 04, 2011
Nancy
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I listened to this on tape back in 1998. I was listening to lots of books-on-tapes back then as I walked to work, etc.—now I prefer to read. This is an historical thriller set in the 18th century about a coal miner from Scotland who is framed for a crime and sent overseas to America as punishment to serve out his time in hard labor. It’s a good story about an interesting period in history.
Jun 24, 2011
Steven
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Ken Follett is great at creating historical novels with interesting characters and plots that may meander a bit at some times but still come back to focus on what's important at the end. His characters are well developed and he does a good job with historical detail. This one has a good dose of suspense and action as well a lot of romance. You can't go wrong with it.
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May 12, 2010
Annalee
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I did something I don't do that often, I read this book for the second time. When I started it, I remembered I'd read some of it before, but had forgot I'd read it all. It didn't seem to matter, the sense of familiarity with the story didn't diminish my thorough enjoyment of it. It's a flowing, easy and fast paced read, not a dull moment in it. A great read!
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Aug 15, 2011
TheIron
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I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, it had a thrilling plot and provided a fascinating portrait of the "non-freedom" in the 18th century British Empire. The only complaint is that the plot seems somewhat contrived due to the reliance on coincidences - but since the plot is secondary to the setting in this novel, I can suspend belief enough to enjoy the book.
Oct 31, 2010
Alan
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Ken Follett is a master storyteller. I found myself talking to the characters at the end if each chapter. Wishing them luck, warning them or for Lizzie, telling her she was pregnant. I get lost in Ken's books. This is probably the 14th of his I have read :o)
I am so looking forward to the second of his cetury trilogy next year.
I am so looking forward to the second of his cetury trilogy next year.
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Nov 19, 2011
Jackie
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I like Follett's style - it's very raw. He seems to find some of the most interesting times and places in history to focus on. His style is very descriptive and matter of fact. This book had an interesting mix of characters who might start out as noble, yet darker qualities win out...decent day's reading.
May 06, 2010
Bob
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An interesting book since not as much has been written about these early American settlers as has been written about other generations.
The main character is a Scottish prisoner dumped here by the British Government to get him out of Britain and to provide cheap labor for the established gentry in Virginia.
An enjoyable read.
The main character is a Scottish prisoner dumped here by the British Government to get him out of Britain and to provide cheap labor for the established gentry in Virginia.
An enjoyable read.
Jan 12, 2009
Devin
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In today's world many people take their freedom for granted. Ken Follet's A Place Called Freedom reminds those with fortunate lives that there are people continually struggling to find a life where they can choose their own path. This book is a great read and is an under read Follett work.
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Mar 21, 2009
Cherie
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Based in Scotland in 1767, Mack a gutsy slave in the coal mines getss his freedom. Lizzie, a childhood friend, marries and goes to Virgina, Mack gets arrested (set up) and gets shipped to Virginia. A struggle to survive, a love story in the end and an new life. Quite a nice story.
Jan 13, 2010
Linda
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I had no idea how prevalent slavery was throughout the world back in the 1800's. I expected this to be a book about slaves from Africa and it was quite differnt. Slavery in Scotland! Who would've of thought? The end was a bit predictable but I liked the book anyway.
Aug 27, 2009
Jessica
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My last summer light read before the school session starts.
This was a decent book, but not one of his best. Everyone has to make a living. The Scottish coal miners situation was interesting, as well as the caste system in Britain. The story line was a bit predictable.
This was a decent book, but not one of his best. Everyone has to make a living. The Scottish coal miners situation was interesting, as well as the caste system in Britain. The story line was a bit predictable.
Jan 02, 2011
Jim
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I loved the 2/3 of the book. I found the story very interesting. The business angle is very interesting how the rich control all the resources and use the law to keep the status quo intact. By the end of the book, it was too unbelieveable and over the top.
Aug 10, 2011
Jane
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How you enjoy a book depends so much on what you read previously. I had just finished reading Trinity by Uris and so when I read this book I found it flippant and shallow. There were too many coincidences to be believable. I was disappointed.
Jun 21, 2011
Nancy
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I enjoy the way the author places his characters in a certain time in history and you get a feel for what it was like. This story takes place in Scotland in the coal mines, in England and then in Virginia before the colonies broke from England.
May 18, 2009
Salsadancer
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This novel hinges on the struggles of the hero, Malachi (Mack) McAsh, an indentured coal miner in 18th century Scotland who declares, "I'll go anywhere that is not Scotland--anywhere a man can be free." He could be my ancestor.
Jul 27, 2011
Cheesy and not very well written.
After reading Pillars of the Earth this was a disappointment but I guess it shows how Follett has developed and improved.
Wouldn't really recommend it unless you like cheesy romance!
After reading Pillars of the Earth this was a disappointment but I guess it shows how Follett has developed and improved.
Wouldn't really recommend it unless you like cheesy romance!
Jan 24, 2010
Foxytocin
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Scottish mines in the last half of the 17th century....horrible, horrid, horrendous......thanks to Follett's magical story-telling ability, I understand a bit better why people were often so desperate to come to America.
