Rating: 
Summary: Good historical fiction
Review: David Frazier has written a book that could be destined to be a classic. I seldom enjoy a story, especially a historical novel, more than when it is well written in the proper vernacular for it's time. It is obvious from the beginning that Frazier has lived within the boundaries of the setting as his knowledge of topography, flora and fauna plays a key role in creating a sense of authenticity, as though the reader were actually there. He doesn't waste words on unnecessary dialogue, keeping the speech also as true to it's origins as possible. The plot itself is as old as time, yet still interesting as it does not require the reader to assimilate unlikely leaps of faith to follow and understand the motivations of the main characters. It is a time of civil war, perhaps the worst dichotomy ever faced by the nation wherein we were fighting amongst ourselves. The main characters, Inman, Ada, Ruby, are studies of the product of their times, Inman a self-sufficient and confident man from the rural settlement near Cold Mountain, Ada, former Charleston beauty who was accustomed to the finer things but must learn the practical means to survive on her land once Monroe, her father, passed. Enter Ruby, child of the wild, lacking the graces of academic education but wise as a Cherokee in the ways of nature and survival. She and Ada work the land while Inman attempts to come home after suffering a grievous wound and deciding to un-volunteer from the Confederate army. His foot-weary travels and adventures consist of meeting many local types, most of which are venal and without honor, but he does find kindness among a few womenfolk who are also mostly on their own. The story alternates mostly between Inman's dire perils and Ada and Ruby's own trials during wartime exigencies, with sidebars of stories within stories told by supporting characters such as Ruby's ne'er do well long-estranged father, Stobrod. All are weaved together to reflect the hard times and attitudes of those people, giving one a glimpse into a fascinating past chapter of American history.
My only critiques, and those minor, is that there appear some inconsistencies in the behavior one would expect during those hardest of times. Inman goes AWOL from the army, yet walks into a general store and buys powder and bullets during a time of war when one would imagine, as in World War Two for example, such commodities would be severely rationed if not all proscribed and dedicated soley to the South's war effort. He gets the money to purchase such rare itemsfrom home, but it is never explained throughout where exactly his land or house is, if he has one, or who sent him money inasmuch as his parents or kin are never brought into the story. Later, Inman, a no-nonsense, hard-minded character in the mold of Clint Eastwood's High Plains Drifter who is evading the Home Guard himself as a fugitive, for some strange reason allows a defrocked preacher, a murderer, thief, liar and coward that cannot hold his tongue or liquor to team up with him, thereby allowing himself to be put at fatal risk more than once. This struck a discordant note to my sense of logic. Meanwhile, Ruby, equally tough-minded and the penultimate survivor, learns from some young outlaw that her worthless father was finally shot by the Home Guard up in the mountains as winter comes on and believing him without a by your leave, she and Ada take off to find and bury him, leaving their hard-won working farm with all Ada's jewelry, livestock and possessions open and the outlaw they don't know still staying there to take what he pleases, burn it down or whatever. The despised father's allegedly frozen remains could ostensibly have waited until spring, one would think, and especially is not worth the dangerous risks the normally prudent women took. Otherwise, there are also perhaps more paragraphs dedicated to the minutia of how to rend a hog, clean a chicken, find the right herbs and so on than one really yearns to know. Yet with these few small things being somewhat overdone or contrived, I still give this book a high rating in my estimation for it's craftsmanship, unique style and well-done research. I applaud the realistic ending as well, not your standard happy-faced format, but a satisfyingly human one which shows insight and courage by the author. If you enjoy truly well-written historical novels with authentic background, do not pass this one by.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful
Review: I'm a senior in high school, and am enrolled in a class called College Bound Reading. When I first saw this book on the list, I was a bit skeptical, being as I was always one to pick up books from more teen authors like Ann Rinaldi(who is also unbelievable.) Anyway, I have never been so happy I did check the book out. It was amazing, and yes, was a bit slow starting. Not much, you knew it was going to get better. It, to me, was never redundant or monotonous. I think this is seriously, by far, one of my favorite books. Great subject, great story, great writer and I can't wait for the movie, as long as they follow the book. My recommendation? READ IT!!! :)
Rating:
Summary: the only word here is brilliance
Review: this took only two years to write? it could have been a lifetime. from the first sentence i knew i would love this book, and as predicted, as of the following is beautifully contructed, addding to the last a piece until one is able to view a seamless world, one perhaps parallel to the odyssey.
the situations and tales are insane enough to be believable. the characters, too, seem to take on lives of their own, proving themselves capable of both survival and degeneration, and attaching themselves to our thoughts without us seeming to notice. the end delivers a harsh blow to both characters and readers, though it is possibly the only way to do so.
Rating: 
Summary: Cold mountain
Review: I like this book but it talk to much about walking and farming. I would recommened this book if you have nothing better else to read. The ending was quite surpising.. you would have to read it to know what all has happened in the book.
Rating:
Summary: DESCRIPTION
Review: I enjoyed This book. TOo much description for me though. I loved all the characters.the place really came alive. IT was a very long book and made me fall asleep many times but I did enjoy it very much.That is all I have to say
Rating: 
Summary: This Book makes you want to vomit
Review: I think this book was in between good and it [ ]. I like the way they had so much description in each chapter. I didn't like the way the author had Inman walking from the hospital all the way back to Cold Mountain to find Ada. I think that the novel is to romatic. I would recommend this book to people who like love stories. The plot was excellent. I like the way the author threw in hidden tricks. Especially the end, when Inman >>>>>. Them 9 years later, there are 8 plates, 3boys, Ruby, Stobrod, Ada, Reid and a 9 year old girl. Who is she? AHHHHHHHA. I think the epilogue could of been alot better.
Rating:
Summary: THE CLOUDS WERE LIKE FLUFFY WHITE BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH..
Review: This book was way too long. I liked the concept of the book, but the characters held no substance. If you deleted every un-nessessary sentance of external detail, you would be left with a 50 page book. I kind of liked the book, but I couldn't read more than a chapter at a time without falling asleep. I think it would have been better if Inman and Ada had met earlier.
For those of you who haven't read the book yet... Inman DIES in the end. You're welcome. Love, Lady
Rating:
Summary: book review
Review: Cold Mountain was such a detailed book that it was hard to read at times. There are so many little things that go on, thus so much to remember.
Inman's journey was the most exciting part of the book. I can't believe everything that happened to him throughout it though. Getting caught by the homeguard and escaping, encountering Lila, Lula, Junior, and almost dying a number of times. All of the people he met were different, and he learned something from all of them. Despite everything that happened to him, he still makes it home to Ada. Nothing for him goes as planned, and maybe thats better for him that way.
Ada is still my favorite character, even though she did get kind of boring. I blame that on her situation. She did practically a 360 from being a helpless girl who doesn't know how to do anything, to a woman who can hold her own on her farm.
Rating:
Summary: AHHHHH!!!
Review: As much as I hate to admit it, I really did like this book. It was really hard to get interested in, but slowly Charles Frazier captured me and made me want to keep reading about Inman and Ada. My favorite character was by far Inman. Ada really bored me and was just annoying to me. She gave a bad name to women, but not knowing how to take care of herself. Inman on the other hand, even though he was just walking the whole time, had a good look out on like. Yea, he was definately distraught from the war and I think he enjoyed killing. But he was so determined to return to Ada and that should earn him some kind of respect. Because Inman was my favorite character, the didn't exactly like the ending. But I think it was good for the book. If it wouldn't have ended this way, the book would have contradicted itself. But it wasn't that bad at all!
Rating:
Summary: Horrible!!!
Review: Cold Mountain is possibly the most pointless novel I have ever read. The ending was fanominal but besides that... it stunk. Between all the walking and farming in the novel- I lost the whole point! The author also uses TOO MUCH DETAIL!! It is so boring that you end up reading the same sentence 47 times before you realize you aren't getting anywhere (kind of like Inman in some parts). So if your interested in all the particulars of a maple leaf- then this book is for you. If not... don't bother. I don't understand how the end of the novel could be so good and the rest of the book could be so bad. So here's my advice- read only the last 3 chapters. I promise- you're not missing much!
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