Rating: 
Summary: Highly recommended
Review: After I wrote a review for Cape Cod, Mr. Martin emailed me saying that I would also like Annapolis...and I did. Even though my intense interest in history had not included naval history, Mr. Martin made the description of the ships and the battles, as well as the developments of the U.S. Navy very readable. At times it was a little difficult to follow the family lines, especially since the Parrish family members were not included in the genealogy tables. The reason for only four stars is that, in my opinion, all historical novels MUST contain at least one map. Annapolis has none. A map showing the Western Shore of Maryland would have been helpful.
Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended
Review: After I wrote a review for Cape Cod, Mr. Martin emailed me saying that I would also like Annapolis...and I did. Even though my intense interest in history had not included naval history, Mr. Martin made the description of the ships and the battles, as well as the developments of the U.S. Navy very readable. At times it was a little difficult to follow the family lines, especially since the Parrish family members were not included in the genealogy tables. The reason for only four stars is that, in my opinion, all historical novels MUST contain at least one map. Annapolis has none. A map showing the Western Shore of Maryland would have been helpful.
Rating: 
Summary: It was wonderful!
Review: Annapolis is a great book and very historical! I have an interest in the academy and decided to read it. I wasn't disappointed! While reading it I felt as if I was living it. A definate must read!
Rating:
Summary: Haunting History
Review: Annapolis was my first William Martin book. I have since read everything except the out of print "The Rising of the Moon". Growing up just miles from Annapolis, the title drew me in while I was looking for a casual read. Boy was I wrong. From the beginning I was enraptured with the history of the US Navy and the people who made it the greatest force afloat. His familiar style of telling a history now and then until the complete historical fabric is woven is an entertaining vehihcle that maintains the relevance of the material. For Martin, history is more than a collection of dates. It lives and he breathes life into it for his readers. The sequence in the South Pacific haunts me even now two years after reading the novel. Martin ably carries on the traditon of historical story telling from Michener. He has demonstrated the ability to paint on the large canvas (Annapolis), the small canvas (Cape Cod) and the personal canvas (Citizen Washington). I look forward to learning more about my country and its heroes great and small from Martin in the future. I loved this book and recommend it as a must read. Books like this should be mandated in schools however the stark nature of reality would keep this book out of curricula. Instead, students will continue to learn fabled accounts of how America came to be. It would be so much better if children were taught that some fairly ordinary people with faults like us came together and became something extrordinary. This is what Martin does best.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting History
Review: Annapolis was my first William Martin book. I have since read everything except the out of print "The Rising of the Moon". Growing up just miles from Annapolis, the title drew me in while I was looking for a casual read. Boy was I wrong. From the beginning I was enraptured with the history of the US Navy and the people who made it the greatest force afloat. His familiar style of telling a history now and then until the complete historical fabric is woven is an entertaining vehihcle that maintains the relevance of the material. For Martin, history is more than a collection of dates. It lives and he breathes life into it for his readers. The sequence in the South Pacific haunts me even now two years after reading the novel. Martin ably carries on the traditon of historical story telling from Michener. He has demonstrated the ability to paint on the large canvas (Annapolis), the small canvas (Cape Cod) and the personal canvas (Citizen Washington). I look forward to learning more about my country and its heroes great and small from Martin in the future. I loved this book and recommend it as a must read. Books like this should be mandated in schools however the stark nature of reality would keep this book out of curricula. Instead, students will continue to learn fabled accounts of how America came to be. It would be so much better if children were taught that some fairly ordinary people with faults like us came together and became something extrordinary. This is what Martin does best.
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable, Outstanding, Unforgettable
Review: are just some of the words I would use to describe this masterpiece of American Historic Fiction. Martin has told the American Struggle for our freedom, duty, honor, respect, independence, politcs, free enterprise, and the deep felt loses of the high price two families have paid for the American Ideals we cherish today. Martin's tale takes you from Pre Revolutionary America to a casualty of the Gulf War. "Annapolis" is American History in a nutshell. Don't let the size of this book intiminate, because every chapter is enthrawling and you simply can't stop. Martin could have carried this book on for another 800 pages at the pace this story is told. Unlike other Historic Fiction authors, Martin uses unique perspectives to tell his story's which makes his novels "Annapolis" and "Citizen Washington" two of the best Historic Fiction novels I've ever read. "Annapolis" makes "The Winds of War" dull. "Annapolis" should be required reading in all schools, and made into a mini series so everyone can reflect on what a GREAT country America is, and continue to be....
Rating:
Summary: WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE U. S. NAVY...
Review: Are you seeking a book with a panoramic sweep of American History? Do you wish to view it through the prism of perhaps the most tradition-bound institution in the United States? Do you want to witness the great battles that changed history and altered the map of the world? Do you want to see proud families clash? Behold Admirals' egos? Eavesdrop on the great personalities who have strutted history's stage? Then William Martin's sprawling ANNAPOLIS is for you! It's an almost 800 page epic you'll be sorry to finish. A work, I think you'll agree, begging to be a mini-series.
William Martin is a wonderful storyteller and Historian who brings life and breath - and breadth - to the people and events that propel his story - our story! Most of the historical moments you'll recognize. Others will be new and some will be revelations; but all of them are more interesting in his telling. From the battles waged by the U. S. S. Constitution to the sparring of the Monitor and the Merrimack....From Midway to the rivers of Vietnam, Martin's U. S. Navy - and his Stafford family - help shape and protect America. In light of recent dark days in our history, this story is more relevant than ever. It's a 5-Star effort from a 5-Star talent. It's unquestionably the best book of this type I have ever read.
Pick up this book! Keep your 'eyes in the boat,' and before long you'll understand why what's good for the U. S. Navy is good for the United States of America!
Rating:
Summary: WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE U. S. NAVY....
Review: Are you seeking a book with a panoramic sweep of American History? Do you wish to view it through the prism of perhaps the most tradition-bound institution in the United States? Do you want to witness the great battles that changed history and altered the map of the world? Do you want to see proud families clash? Behold Admirals' egos? Eavesdrop on the great personalities who have strutted history's stage? Then William Martin's sprawling ANNAPOLIS is for you! It's an almost 800 the page epic you'll be sorry to finish. A work, I think you'll agree, begging to be a mini-series.
William Martin is a wonderful storyteller and Historian who brings life and breath - and breadth - to the people and events that propel his story....our story! Most of the historical moments you'll recognize. Others will be new, and some will be revelations; but all of them are more interesting in his telling! From the battles waged by the U. S. S. Constitution to the sparring of the Monitor and Merrimack. From Midway to the rivers of Vietnam, Martin's U. S Navy - and his Stafford family - help shape and protect America. In light of recent dark days in our history, this story is more relevant than ever. It's a 5 star effort from a 5 star talent.
Pick up this book! Keep your 'eyes in the boat,' and before long you'll understand why what's good for the U. S. Navy is good for the United States of America!
Rating:
Summary: a page-turner I just couldn't put down
Review: I agree with Steve Clark's review of this book. It was an excellent book to read. Like Steve wrote, I agree that a Parrish family tree and a few maps would have helped, but still... My wife first got me into historically-based fiction with Jeff Shaara's Gods and Generals and then David Nevin's 1812. I was really excited when she got me this book that was not only historically-based fiction, but also NAVY oriented! 8-) Martin has an excellent writing style. The only thing that I didn't like about the book was I thought it was too short. I enjoyed it so much I wanted the chapters to be longer... Each chapter would have made a really good book I think. Anyway, if you are a lover of naval history and or historically based fiction, then this is a must-read for you.
Rating:
Summary: a page-turner I just couldn't put down
Review: I agree with Steve Clark's review of this book. It was an excellent book to read. Like Steve wrote, I agree that a Parrish family tree and a few maps would have helped, but still... My wife first got me into historically-based fiction with Jeff Shaara's Gods and Generals and then David Nevin's 1812. I was really excited when she got me this book that was not only historically-based fiction, but also NAVY oriented! 8-) Martin has an excellent writing style. The only thing that I didn't like about the book was I thought it was too short. I enjoyed it so much I wanted the chapters to be longer... Each chapter would have made a really good book I think. Anyway, if you are a lover of naval history and or historically based fiction, then this is a must-read for you.
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