Rating: 
Summary: Five star reading
Review: North and South is the story of the Hazard and Main families. George Hazard and Orry Main meet on the way to West Point. The two form a strong bond and become lifelong friends. In fact, the families become quite close. The bond and friendship of the families are tested by the events of the world and by family members. North and South tells us the events leading up to the Civil War and the impact they have on the two families.This book is very well written. Mr. Jakes conveys many emotions during the 800+ pages. There is humor, sorrow, pity, anger, confusion, and love just to name a few. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the families and all they went through. Reading this book I think I got a great understanding of what the country must have been like during this time. There is a lot of detail put into the story. It makes it very interesting to read. North and South is a book definitely worth reading. It will put you on the edge of your seat and keep you turning the pages to find out what will happen next. It doesn't matter if you're a history fanatic or not, this book is excellent. Definitely worth the time reading it.
Rating:
Summary: Cannot be put down!
Review: North and South may be over 700 pages in lenght, but it is a book that simply cannot be put down. The way that the characters flow in and out of major events before the civil war is a true work of art. The characters themselves seem so real that you fall in love with each of them as you follow the individual trails of their lives. I was sad to see the book come to an end, but with parts 2 and 3 of the trilogy remaining to be read, I didn't have time to feel much sadness! The TV series "North and South" is based fairly close to the book. The only exception is Orry's injury in the movie is his leg, whereas in the book, well...I guess you'll have to read it for yourselves!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful novel!
Review: One of the finest historical novels I have ever read. John Jakes draws the reader into the world of antebellum America with such skill. Is it any wonder that he is regarded as the "Godfather of Historical Fiction"?
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best in an overcrowded field
Review: The late 'Seventies/ early 'Eighties were a period when every hack with a pen was doing "historical fiction". Bookstores even had special sections. The problem is--only Jakes, Dana Fuller Ross, and a handful of others did it worth a damn. Which left us with reams of crap to thumb through. This book is the opener, followed by "Love and War" and then "Heaven and Hell". Take them in order and you'll love 'em--all three are really one story--a GREAT story. The reader will have to excuse the 'Seventies/ 'Eighties literary habit of casting villains as dysfunctional, though. Bad-guy Elkanah Bent is just that, a bad guy in the creepy David Berkowitz mode. A cadet with a cruddy attitude who becomes a career sociopath--I guess education and experience can enhance anything--even evil. And he only gets worse as the story goes on, looming as a threat to just about everyone. One other customer wondered why they took it out of print--well, they shouldn't have--my copies are falling apart!
Rating:
Summary: An Epic Civil War Novel
Review: This book when first opened looked long and daunting, but one you get started there is no way to put it down! It chronicals two families, the Hazards and the Mains, through the build up to the Civil War. The Hazards are from the North while the Mains call the South home, and that often threats to break their friendship apart. It follows generations of the two families through the turblent Civil War, and even has correct historical references. It keeps the reader entertained through all 800 pages, and is worth reading for anyone interested in history, or just wanting to read a good book. I can often not read books longer than 400 pages without getting bored, but this one transended those boundaries and made me want to read it till the last page, and then i was disappointed it was over.
Rating:
Summary: An Epic Civil War Novel
Review: This book when first opened looked long and daunting, but one you get started there is no way to put it down! It chronicals two families, the Hazards and the Mains, through the build up to the Civil War. The Hazards are from the North while the Mains call the South home, and that often threats to break their friendship apart. It follows generations of the two families through the turblent Civil War, and even has correct historical references. It keeps the reader entertained through all 800 pages, and is worth reading for anyone interested in history, or just wanting to read a good book. I can often not read books longer than 400 pages without getting bored, but this one transended those boundaries and made me want to read it till the last page, and then i was disappointed it was over.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best
Review: This is one of the best fiction books ever written, in my opinion. It's one of my all-time favorites. The characters are real, three-dimensional, and the the historical part is so authentic, down to the clothes, the styles, the way everything is named in there is amazing. You really feel like you're living during the time (1840s and up) through this book. I read this years ago, but there's no books that top this, except the Kent Family Chronicles, which are my all-time favorite books.
Rating:
Summary: This is one of those books I go back to over & over!
Review: This is one of those books I go back to over & over! The story of the Mains & the Hazards, how a friendship forged at West Point is tested by love, family, cultures, wars, the slavery issue and eventual Civil War origins, survived despite these tests. It's my opinion that this is John Jakes' best work. I've read the Kent Family Chronicles and while they were good, I never felt like a part of the story. The Mains & Hazards are old friends. I can't tell you how many copies of this story I've worn out!
Rating:
Summary: BY FAR THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This is the best book I have ever read! I have always been interested in the Civil War, but you don't even have to be in order to love this book. It is about two best friends and their struggle as the country begins to rip to shreds and they know they are from different sides. Trust me, you will love this book read it! You cant go wrong!
Rating:
Summary: The best book I have ever read...
Review: This was the absolute best book I have ever read. I hated to see it come to an end, and picked up the sequel within a week. Few other writers have ever presented to me characters such as those we meet in "North and South." Characters with such depth, such authentic emotion that I could not help but care what happens to them. I could babble on endlessly about how much I loved this book, but that would really accomplish nothing. I'll just say that I believe I've found an author I will stick with for a long, long time.
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