Rating: 
Summary: 5 stars as usual!
Review: I just finished the 4th and (I hope not) final book in the continuing saga. I am ready for the next! Incredible how the story just keeps coming. And I just keep going. Here's some advice though, start with Voyager and progress through each book up to this one for the full effect.
Rating:
Summary: Adventures in History
Review: "Time travel, not my cup of tea " I thought when I first came across this book whilst researching novels set in 18th century North America.I like my historical novels with a dose of realism, not fantasy. And , frankly, the rave reviews of this and the preceding volumes made me wonder."Drums of Autumn" is the fourth in a series in which a 20th century Englishwoman is transported to 18th century Scotland, falls in love with a dashing native called Jamie , marries him, and has lots of adventures. But , as I found, not having got into the whole "Jamie and Claire "thing was no bar to enjoyment of this novel at all. The sterling quality of the writing drew me in and never let up. How can it be that a book of 800 pages whithout much of a plot still seems too short? Gabaldon is an excellent storyteller who brings her characters - and their surroundings - vividly to life. It is a mark of her skill that she manages to make an existing relationship sound new and exciting .(If you think that's nothing special, have you ever wondered why most novelists abandon their characters after courtship? As in life, so in fiction people find it much harder to sustain than to start new). And the device of time travel succeeds extremely well in dealing with the dilemma of the historical novelist: the desire to go back in time and fix things, to apply modern thought to a historic situation. We feel with Claire's outrage at slavery, bodily punishment and everyday cruelty, thoughts that would be anachronistic in a character of the period. Because she is a modern creature, Claire can voice these thoughts, if not act on them. For me, a particular gem was the deeply moving tale of another time traveller whose remains Claire stumbles across and who appears as a ghost to save her life. The story of his failed attempt to change the past and warn his people is revealed on the occasion of a visit to an Indian village, whose residents refused to believe his prophesies of doom. Claire of course knows the future but also knows that she is powerless to change the past. If you could go back in time, who would you try to warn?
Rating:
Summary: What a find
Review: Who would have thought that looking at a clearance rack of books would unleash such mystery and love. In 1996, I wanted to find books over Scotland... I saw Outlander. It looked like it may be okay. So I read it. I could not put it down. I was so swept up in JAmie and Claire's adventures, it was unreal. I couldnt wait for the other books in the saga. Drums of Autmn was yet another gripping adventure. I long await for the last two books in the saga.
Rating:
Summary: DRUMS OF AUTUMN
Review: OUTLANDER has to be the first one the reader reads..I know someone who started with the second book and was totally confused, she then read OUTLANDER, and finally all four and like myself, she is going insane waiting for #5 THE FIERY CROSS to come out...abt. the same time the first of her contemporary novels comes out, which is one of two that take place in Arizona. All of her books, in my opinion, are better than Gone with the Wind or Thornbirds...She is one talanted young woman, that is for sure!!
Rating: 
Summary: Book No. 5 where are you??
Review: Over the past few months, I read the Outlander series and became completely engrossed in this other time and place! Of the four books, Voyager would probably get my highest rating because so much happens, but you have to read them in order anyways to truly enjoy it. I usually don't go for historical romances - the plot is often the same - but I thought I would give Outlander a chance when I saw it included time travel. Much easier to identify with a character who comes from approximately the same place as you, yet you get all the history stuff thrown in too. Anyways, I highly recommend all of these books to others - a word of warning, don't read ahead like I did (I can't help it -- it's a disease...) OR read the Outlandish Companion until you are all done!
Rating:
Summary: Back to the Best
Review: Drums of Autumn will leave you breathless. Whether from the pounding of the titular drums as war rises again on the horizon, or from the tension of suspense, you'll close the last page completely satisfied and wondering why you're exhausted. Our Heroine, Clare, finds herself looking for her past, in more ways than one. Returning to the 18th Century, she decides that trying to find the love of her life is more important than staying safe and secure in the 1960s. Unfortunately, like daughter, like mother. Her only child follows her on an expedition to find Jamie, Clare's husband and Bree's father. The action continues in Scotland and migrates to the New World. After having been separated for neigh unto 20 years, both Clare and Jamie have continued their lives, separately. It is the detailed, sympathetic portrait of them attempting to reconcile their shared past with their current present which will pull at your heartstrings. They are realistic, which certainly means it isn't the same old thing you've read before. Gabaldon never ceases to amaze with her insight into the workings between men and women, without denigrating either one in the process. This kept me on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning pages like few other books. If you've read Outlander, either stop, or simply buy the next three together. Dragonfly in Amber and Voyager are definately worthwhile, if for no other reason then to get you to Drums of Autumn. This and Outlander are her best so far.
Rating: 
Summary: Needs Editing
Review: I have enjoyed all the books in the Outlander series. This was the weakest. What was her editor thinking about letting her go on for so long. It should have been trimed down into a normal sized book and it would have been wonderful. Robert Graves where are you now that we need you. (He edited David Copperfield). I will certainly buy the others. She is a wonderful writer, but this book was self indulgent.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as the others
Review: I honestly didn't enjoy this one as much as the previous three. This book takes place in the colonies, but Jamie and Clare really belong in Scotland. I am eagerly looking forward to the next book and hopeful they will get back where they belong.
Rating:
Summary: drums of autumn
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I did the others before it. I was prepared to be entertained and to fall in love and I was not disappointed. I felt that I had personally met the characters in the book. Diana Gabaldon's books captured my heart from Outlander right through to Drums of Autumn. Anyone who wants to be entertained by mystery, adventure, romance, suspense and sheery joy should read all of Diana Gabaldon's works. The only disappointment I experienced was coming to the end of the book and wanting more and that is actually not disappointment but anticipation, a very good feeling. Diana keep them coming. These books are ones I will never forget and each winter I feel the desire to reacquaint myself with the characters. I will never forget the way I felt when Jamie met Brianna for the first time.
Rating:
Summary: Outlander - Drums of Autumn
Review: If the size of the books makes you apprenhensive or you would like to revist them, you might try the unabridged Books on Tape read by Davina Porter. I looked at the size of the books and thought I don't have time to read that long a book, let alone all 6 of them, yet people were raving about how good they were. I found the unabridged versions at the library and Davina Porter made them come to life with the English and Scottish accent. I don't know of any books on tape that I have enjoyed more. So far I have listened to the first four and am axniously awaiting "The Fiery Cross". If you have time to read them, they are great but the unabridged version on tape is outstanding. You get so wrapped up in the story, you can't believe when you reach the end as you still want more. Hopefully Amazon.com will be able to offer the unabridged versions sometime in the future as I notice all they offer now is the abridged.
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