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76th out of 96 books
—
131 voters
Charleston
by
John Jakes
Charleston follows the lives, loves and shifting fortunes of the unforgettable Bell family from the American Revolution through the turbulent antebellum years to the savage defeat of the Confederacy-and represents America's premier storyteller at his very best.
Paperback, 560 pages
Published
July 1st 2003
by Signet
(first published July 1st 2002)
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This book brings you the classic Southern family, torn into two parts—one obviously virtuous and one completely unscrupulous. The novel takes you on a journey after the splitting of the family through the American Revolution on past the Civil War, all with the backdrop of slavery in Charleston, South Carolina. Lives on all sides of the wars were disrupted, and the city itself could not escape the destruction. Jakes details the fall of this once important city to a town of rubble and decay. While...more
Not quite finished but this is another classic by John Jakes. It goes through the Revolutionary war, Civil War and Antebellum. The book is in three parts and is told with a different main character for each of the first two parts I have finished. The harshness of slavery and torments slaves suffered when there masters were out of sorts was gruesome and shameful. The flipside was some slaves who were treated better by their owners were afraid to see slavery end as they couldn't read or write and...more
Jakes follows the Bell family from the early 1700s to around 1880. He breaks it down into three mini-books. The first deals with Charleston during the Revolutionary War. I never realized that Charleston was an occupied city controled by thte British. The seond book deals with those years leading up to the Civil War. It covers the tension building between the north and south regarding slavery. The final book deals with the Civil War and the destruction of Charleston.
Lots of Charleston history. To...more
Lots of Charleston history. To...more
I picked up this book because "back in the day" it seemed that EVERYONE was reading John Jakes. (And also because I found a really nice hardback copy of it in the Half Price Books discount bin for $1.00.) I remembered watching the mini-series of North and South on television, I have been to Charleston and found it interesting, etc., etc.. BUT I did not like this book. (Though to be fair, I would probably rate it 1.5 points if I could, because for a brief few chapters, I did want to know what wou...more
Jan 26, 2013
Zorro
added it
According to the little background history that I have found, the actual historical parts are true to reported historical information and interesting. The fictional parts are very predictable. So I would say at this point, Jakes makes history readable for the average know-nothing, but his attempts at fiction "leave something to be desired."
The part that I have read is about The Swamp Fox - Francis Marion. (Historians seem to disagree about his actual battle ethics.)
The part that I have read is about The Swamp Fox - Francis Marion. (Historians seem to disagree about his actual battle ethics.)
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This book is a continuous loop of finding love and losing love. It is filled with stories about family against family. It is a true soap opera in a book woven together with the common themes of Charleston and slavery. My eyes were opened to the fact that adultery probably has not increased in our society as much as I originally thought. It has just become less acceptable and therefore more visible as an issue. It also amazes me how you can degrade the life of humans. It had to be extremely hard...more
I really enjoyed reading this historical novel, "Charleston," by John Jakes. After reading a couple of not so easy to read books, reading "Charleston" was pure pleasure. The book was particularly poignant because while I was reading it America's first African/American was sworn in as our 44th President of the United States. It is a great day for all Americans. I wonder if the author through his research and writing had any idea that this day would come?
This book took a coup[le of weeks to read, but it was worth the time. The story follows some Charleston families from the late 1700s through the Civil War and Reconstruction after the War. The treatment of slaves by whites is a big part of this story. I've always loved reading John Jakes, and this book did not disappoint.
enjoyed the generational progress, it's one of my favorite plot "styles".
characters were interesting, however, not quite deep enough. sort of spread thin.
I guess, my expectations were just different than the reality. I recommended it to my hubby and he enjoyed it also with no comment.
characters were interesting, however, not quite deep enough. sort of spread thin.
I guess, my expectations were just different than the reality. I recommended it to my hubby and he enjoyed it also with no comment.
I just reread this book. I enjoyed it even more the second time since I now live in South Carolina. Jakes brings alive the history of Charleston in his historical fiction. Charleston is a beautiful city. Underneath that beauty lives a history that was glorious and horrifying.
I listened to this shortly after we visited my brother in Charleston & loved the city. I found it really interesting because I knew many of the historical places mentioned, but it was pretty long & someone not familiar with the city or someone who doesn't care for historical fiction might find it too drawn out.
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John Jakes is an amazing historical author who has impeccable research. This book covers Charleston and the surrounding area from the Declaration of Independence to Reconstruction.
Even though this is not a brand new publication, it is a great read. I highly recommend it.
Even though this is not a brand new publication, it is a great read. I highly recommend it.
Apr 16, 2009
Ellen
added it
Jakes does not disappoint with this insiteful view of Charleston during the Civil War period. He is true to his storytelling style with vivid characters and accurate details. I read everything I can find by him. He makes me enjoy the subject of History - no mean feat!
Charleston, SC from early days through the Civil War and the beginning of the Reconstruction. This was alright- too bland for my taste, though nothing like as lame as James Michener. I found myself skipping to the parts involving the "bad" characters.
Family saga of the Bell family stretching from the American Revolution to post-Civil War reconstruction. The story centers on the trials and tribulations of Charleston, South Carolina and its pivotal role in American history.
The story follows 5 generations of one family (the Bells) in Charleston, So. Carolina from the Revolutionary War to the reconstruction of Charleston after the Civil War. The struggles within the generations, from political loyalties to greed, murder and support of abolition depicted in this feuding family outlines the sentiment and political views of the city at that time in our countries history.
Jakes gives a window into historic life, and I loved reading about Charleston's history, knowing where things actually happened in a city I am getting to know. His characters were like something out of a soap opera, but still likable.
Long tale about three generations of the Bell family in Charleston from
just before the Revolutionary War throught The War Between The
States. Another good Jakes historical novel.
just before the Revolutionary War throught The War Between The
States. Another good Jakes historical novel.
Really enjoyed this book. The history was entertaining and educational. I have read four books by John Jakes now and have really liked them all. I am looking forward to reading more.
This novel was excellent. A wonderfully fictionalized depiction of Charleston from pre-Revolutionary to post Civil War Charleston. Guilty white liberals will struggle because the period-accurate language is uncomfortable. Nevertheless, the characters are believable and the story a fast-paced.
family saga connects family from revolutionary war through the end of civil war historical novel well researched with strong character development
Nice read in the normal Jakes style. Different characters placed in a historical backdrop and reacting to the times. It was pretty entertaining.
The premise is good but I think he has run out of creative ideas. Being pushed into a river and eaten by an alligator? Seriously?
He's a great storyteller. I'm sure my view was influenced at the time by our fabulous girl's getaway to Charleston.
I thought that this book was okay. I'm really used to historical fiction; but it was nice to try reading something new!
Poorly written but decent overview of Charleston history from Revolutionary War through Reconstruction.
What a great book. Some of the best historical fiction I've read. Jakes is a fantastic writer.
A sweeping view of the times before the Revolutionary War, through the Civil War and after from the Charleston, SC point of view. A quick read eve though more than 500 pages. It's a great way to get a bit of education through family stories.
Follows fictional families from the Revolution through the Civil War in Charleston SC.
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John Jakes, the author of more than a dozen novels, is regarded as one of today’s most distinguished writers of historical fiction. His work includes the highly acclaimed Kent Family Chronicles series and the North and South Trilogy. Jakes’s commitment to historical accuracy and evocative storytelling earned him the title of “the godfather of historical novelists” from the Los Angeles Times and le...more
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