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Summary: A Great Start to the Kent Family Chronicles
Review: My grandmother gave me the hardcover edition of the entire Kent Family Chronicles over two years ago. After reading several other non-related books, I finally decided to pick up The Bastard and start reading. Well, the book was so good that I ended up finishing it in 3 days just so that I could get on to the next book to see what happens next!!! John Jakes is an exceptional writer who has the ability to write about history, love, deception, you name it...and he makes all of his characters seem so alive that it is not hard to picture all of the different scenes that he creates. He nails the classic love story right on the head with the twists and turns between Philip's (the main character) feelings for both Anne and Alicia, and the choices that Philip has to make. Also, I love how Philip is always fortunate enough to met some of our most pivotal members of American History, such as Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and so on. If you truly want to learn more about American history in a fun and exciting way, then definately pick up this book and start reading. You cannot go wrong!!
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Summary: Welcome to US History 101!
Review: Philipe is a Frenchman and the bastard some of an English duke. He is teased and ostracized most of his life because no one in his hometown in France really believes that he is the son of a duke and because his mother used to be an actress. After the death of his father, his half-brother and stepmother make it clear that he is unwelcome in their home, so he decides to move to the colonies and start a new life. Once he arrives in Boston, he unintentionally becomes enmeshed in the revolutionary fervor that is blossoming in the town. The education he recieved as the son of a duke was very enlightened for its time, allowing Phillipe to appreciate and understand the "new" political theories emerging as the colonies break from the British empire.This is the first book in the Kent Family Chronicles, which charts the history of one family from before the American Revolution to the late 1900s. As a first book in a series, the scene, tone, and family character is well set. John Jakes writes his story with an eye for detail and for entertainment. As I read this series when I was 14, I frequently use these stories as a reference point when remembering details of American history. I highly recommned this series for anyone who wants to learn early US history but doesn't like to read history text books.
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Summary: Exciting opening to a series.
Review: This first book in the Kent Family Chronicles is a great opening to the series.Philippe Charbonneau, the illegitimate son of the Duke of Kentland and Marie, a Parisian actress, travels to England to find his father who signed a document acknowledging Phillipe as his son and entitling him to a share of his fortune.The Duke's legitimate son,Roger and the Duchess,Jane, prevent Philippe and Marie from seeing the Duke and hatch murderous plots against them,forcing them to flee to London.They are given shelter by a kindly printer and his family who teach Philippe the printing trade.Their whereabouts in London is discovered by Roger,forcing them to sail to the New World in fear for their lives.Marie dies during the voyage, leaving the young boy to arrive in Boston alone and friendless.He falls in with a group of American patriots who are fighting for the cause of American independence.Philippe realises that all thought of claiming his English heritage is futile and he becomes a "Son of Liberty",witnessing at first hand the Boston Tea Party and the beginning of the War of Independence.I can't wait to begin Book 2.
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Summary: Stilted dialog; inconsistent & unsympathetic characters
Review: This refers to the unabridged audio cassette version. The reviews made this sound like an excellent book in an excellent series. I've been listening to books on tapes for years and this is only the second time I've been unable to finish the book. I could only make it through 4.5 tapes before giving up. The final straw was when Phillip's mother gives in to the Bishop about abandoning the claim on half the Duke's inheritance. For some unexplained reason, at this point Phillip now takes his Mother's previous position and fights his Mother's decision. Some time later in London, the Mother is back to her position to fight for the inheritance and Phillip doesn't want to fight for it. These flip-flops are never adequate explained and only seem to be a device to prolong this tedious part of the story. It is hard to feel much sympathy for characters whose life ambition is part of the idle rich. The meetings with the historical characters are totally unbelievable and the dialog is very stilted.
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Summary: Great book for history lovers.
Review: Though this novel is fictional and truly a romance, this novel is full of accurate historical information. It reminds us of what our founding fathers were truly fighting for (something that is forgotten today). I think that even if you're not into romance, this book would be interesting. I highly suggest every American read it, and other nationalities as well.
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Summary: Great first book of history for about 5th or 6th grade
Review: When I was in 6 grade my history teacher introduced me to this series and I went from hating to hooked on history. If you are looking for an alternative to straight factual history while keeping accuracy this is it. I am now using the series for my own daughters in a homeschool program.
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