Rating: 
Summary: An absorbing Book
Review: Not only does former President Carter's novel surprise with its prodigious grasp of Revolutionary War history, but his characters engage the reader with suspense, horror at some of the violence portrayed of the period, and a fascinating love story, that if anything leaves us wanting more.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely worthwhile
Review: Okay, I'll admit this is not the greatest novel I have ever read. I agree that it's not likely to win any prizes for literature. Nevertheless, it passed the three most important tests of a good read:1) I learned a lot reading it;
2) I could not put it down but was disappointed to finish it;
3) It was three-dimensional, meaning that I felt like I was a part of the action, not watching it on a TV screen. This very good book helps fill a very large void in our understanding of the Revolutionary War in the South. More important, it sensitively explores the ambiguities of war, loyalty, and patriotism.
Rating:
Summary: From a history lover
Review: President Carter demonstrates that he was not only a wonderful President and man, but also a good researcher, writer and teller of stories with his first work of fiction. For someone who loves history and lives in Georgia, this was a fascinating look into a time in the history of our region about which very little is known or understood. I learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the story line, the characters and the history!!
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not great.
Review: President Carter deserves credit for doing a novel a bout the southern theter of war during the American Revolution. It is time and past time that we delve inot that period, which is generally ignored or glossed over in our schools. The characters in this books aren't developed terribly well, and the writing seems labored at points, but since this is Carter's first novel he can be forgiven for that. I enjoyed it, and although I only gave it three stars I would recommend this novel... especially to anyone who has an interest in that particular part of our national history.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not great.
Review: President Carter deserves credit for doing a novel about the southern theater of war during the American Revolution. It is time and past time that we delve into that region during this period, which is generally ignored or glossed over in our schools. The characters in this book aren't developed terribly well, and the writing seems labored at points, but since this is Carter's first novel he can be forgiven for that. I enjoyed it, and although I only gave it three stars I would recommend this novel... especially to anyone who has an interest in that particular part of our national history.
Rating:
Summary: The Revolutionary Rebels Won the South
Review: President Carter has brought to life the story of The American Revolutionary War with great detail and exciting verbage. I knew nothing at all about the South and it's participation in the war and his book has wet my interest to learn more. The next book I read will be Savannah to Yorktown by Henry Lumpkin. Unfortunately the editor could have made the book better if he actually read from beginning to end.It lost momentum with to much detail about a vist to a cabin between action scenes near the end.And both women in Eathans life lived "Northward". I think Mavis won him,and he should have said so more clearly.
Rating:
Summary: A Worthy First Novel!
Review: President Jimmy Carter's The Hornet's Nest is an exciting first novel. Carter introduces his reader to the Revolutionary War in the South, a subject rarely broached in most American History classes and texts, and tells the story of Ethan Pratt, a Philadelphian who sets out for the south to build a life. Ethan Pratt is the novel's focal character, although the reader often loses sight of him among the other historical characters. The early events which culminate in the execution of Ethan's brother Henry in North Carolina seem oddly similar to Carter's autobiographical tale of governmental corruption in his earlier book Turning Point. Pratt moves from being a loyal British colonist to a concerned citizen opposed to colonial corruption to a militia member ready to execute British prisoners of war in an act of revenge. The historical background is one which seldom has been told. Although the Battle of Kings Mountain is often noted in history texts, the fact that the Revolution in the South was largely fought American colonist against American colonist is rarely mentioned. Execution of prisoners, rape and pillage and murder, terrorist actions are all part of the scene in this novel. Carter tells the story well and introduces lots of new material. The cast of characters reads like a list of counties in Georgia and South Carolina--probably because the counties are named for these individuals. Now, the complaint . . . the work needed a better editor. So many individuals are introduced that it is often difficult to keep track of the action. Occasional errors enter into the text, for example, on page 437 General Andrew Pickens mysteriously morphs into Pickett (the Civil War General?) at the bottom of the page and then changes back to Pickens. This is a minor error, but there is so much action and so many characters that small errors can quickly cause confusion. Ethan Pratt is often left out of lengthy sections of the story, leaving the reader wondering where Pratt has gone. Finally, there are times when Carter uses a page to traverse several years of action and other times when a similar amount of space is used to describe Ethan's construction of a chair--a case of too little detail, followed by too much detail. Still, this is an admirable work for Carter. Should he choose to write another novel, I'll read what he writes and I am certain I'll find something there worth my time!
Rating:
Summary: I give it a C+
Review: The Hornet's Nest will have a place in literary history because it is the first fiction book writen by a former president but the book is more than just a trivia entry. Hornet's Nest is a decent work of fiction. It's a little dull in places and no-one can compare this to John Jakes's stuff. People won't be reading it 40 years from now but that's okay. The book has sturdy, business like writing. Most of the details are correct. Carter doesn't try to make his hero sound like a 21rst century man and except for one silly mistake (Nobody wore trousers back then. Men wore breeches and they were always tight) it works. This isn't the greatest fiction I've read this year but it's far from the worst.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting history and good attention to detail
Review: This a very good book about a region and an era. President Carter's attention to detail helps create the setting for the book. Anybody interested in history will enjoy this book. The book is sophisticated enough for adults yet could easily be read by teenagers. This book will spur the reader to learn more about that war and the South. Buy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Consistently Lackluster
Review: This book follows the pattern established by the former president who has once again stepped far beyond his natural skillsets. Carter is a decent, compassionate and intelligent man who was a mediocre president, at best. He is a worse author. "The Hornet's Nest is a lackluster tale, bereft of coherent plot and wanting well developed characters that effectively link history and fiction. Mr. Carter should stick to his knitting as a concerned humanitarian.
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