Amistad

Rating:
Summary: an effective historical novel, well researched
Review: As a teacher of American History I found the novel by David Pesci to be interesting from a historical perspective. His research was impeccable. I thought the fictional character, the reporter, was an effective vehicle to unite all the separate pieces of the story. I have used this novel with students and they have enjoyed it. I gave the book only three stars because I do not think its literary style is as strong as it could have been.

Rating:
Summary: Develop your sense of history by reading this book!
Review: David Pesci opens your eyes as he shows you the horrors of being enslaved. I found myself enthralled with his graphic descriptions. They helped me share the anger, confusion and fear felt by the people in his narrative. Indeed, I learned more about our American heritage than I ever knew before. It is a book full of pride and shame; full of heroism and greed. Develop a better sense of American history and what it was really like - read this book!

Rating:
Summary: No Doubt the Best!
Review: I am forever grateful to David Peschi (The Author) for letting me be a part of history by reading this book! It has changed my life forever!!! I recommend this book to anyone that is alive! Amazon should have a higher raiting just for this book! Regards to all, Gerardo Gonzalez

Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly Pleased
Review: I am not a history major and I have never read anything else on the Amistad events so I don't know what was fiction and what wasn't. What I DO know however, is that this was an incredible story. I found it interesting and easy to read. I was pulled into the story and couldn't put the book down. I like the way the book is centered around one of the African characters even though he speaks another language. It helped me to understand the other side of the story by putting me right in the center of everything that happened. It's a good read and it's something different! Variety is a good thing : )

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down...
Review: I am not a history major and I have never read anything else on the Amistad events so I don't know what was fiction and what wasn't. What I DO know however, is that this was an incredible story. I found it interesting and easy to read. I was pulled into the story and couldn't put the book down. I like the way the book is centered around one of the African characters even though he speaks another language. It helped me to understand the other side of the story by putting me right in the center of everything that happened. It's a good read and it's something different! Variety is a good thing : )

Rating:
Summary: History That Reads Like A Thriller.
Review: I became fascinated by the Amistad affair after seeing the Steven Speilberg movie (which is long on emotion but plays very fast and loose with the facts). While "Mutiny on the Amistad" by Jones is the definitive non-fiction account of this incident (factual, but very academic), I would put Pesci's novel "Amistad" a close second on its treatment of the facts, and second to NONE in its telling. There are some composite characters here and Pesci created most of the dialogue as there is no account of what was said outside of the court proceedings. However, Pesci sticks very close to the facts as they unfolded and uses history weave a tale that brings to life the human elements of this amazing event. Here's hoping that he turns his talents to some other historical episode. A gripping, thrilling read from start to finish.

Rating:
Summary: History That Reads Like A Thriller.
Review: I became fascinated by the Amistad affair after seeing the Steven Speilberg movie (which is long on emotion but plays very fast and loose with the facts). While "Mutiny on the Amistad" by Jones is the definitive non-fiction account of this incident (factual, but very academic), I would put Pesci's novel "Amistad" a close second on its treatment of the facts, and second to NONE in its telling. There are some composite characters here and Pesci created most of the dialogue as there is no account of what was said outside of the court proceedings. However, Pesci sticks very close to the facts as they unfolded and uses history weave a tale that brings to life the human elements of this amazing event. Here's hoping that he turns his talents to some other historical episode. A gripping, thrilling read from start to finish.

Rating:
Summary: History That Reads Like A Thriller
Review: I became fascinated by the Amistad incident after seeing the Steven Speilberg movie (which is long on emotion but plays fast and loose with the facts). I have read all the available books on this subject, and while "Munity on the Amistad" by Jones should be considered the definitive non-fiction account it is far too academic in its presentation. Pesci's "Amistad" is a close second with its marshalling of the facts but second to NONE in their presentation. Though there are some composite charcters here, and the dialogue is imagined (no records exist of what was said outside of court), Pesci weaves the incident's many complex threads together while bringing to the forefront the humanity (or lack thereof) of everyone involved -- all while maintaining a increasingly escalating pace. One can only hope that he finds another historical event to treat in the same manner. This generation may have found its Gore Vidal. A gripping, outstanding read.

Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly Pleased
Review: I received this book as a gift and almost exchanged it for something else because I usually don't read historical novels. However, I decided to check-out the first few pages. They grabbed me and I quickly became completely fascinated with the story. Pesci does an excellent job of weaving in the numerous facts and personalities that inhabit this incredible incident. The writing is smooth (although the paperback copy I got had a few typos) and he moves easily from the action thriller that makes up the book's first part to the courtroom drama that ensues. Highly recommended, even if (like me) you are not generally one for history. I hope he writes something new soon.

Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your money on this fictionalized account.
Review: I recently finished an entire semester studying the Amistad mutiny, and Pesci's book was required reading. I read it both before the class began, and later in the semester; it didn't improve with time. Those portions of the story that Pesci did not fictionalize were interesting, but he writes in passive voice, which I found incredibly boring as well as frustrating. His descriptions of characters go on for paragraphs, and often serve no purpose other than to fill space; his adjectives are stale and overused. His stereotypical characters speak in modern slang that at times borders on the ridiculous. It is terribly distracting to have the captives look at one another and say, "We are in a world of sh--!" I agree with Pesci that it is difficult to write period dialogue, but he really should have made the effort. I suggest that anyone truly interested in this event investigate the many factual, well-written books available, including those written for children.