Rating: 
Summary: Another Rutherfurd masterpiece!
Review: I've read Sarum, Russka, London, and now The Forest. Although Sarum is still my favorite, I have thoroughly enjoyed The Forest. Rutherfurd has a way of making history live through multi-dimensional characters ... in a very Micheneresque way. I highly recommend The Forest, as well as his other works.
Rating:
Summary: Rutherfurd: The next generation
Review: I've waited quite a while for Rutherfurd's latest effort, and it has not disappointed. I could not put down his latest book, The Forest. Although he has covered part of this area previously in Sarum, his prose for the area surrounding the Forest and its inhabitants does not disappoint. My only wish on this book was that it was longer. It is about 1000 years shorter than his previous works. Amazingly, I understand he has another book due for release in 2001, so his newfound brevity can be attributed to a shorter new-work pipeline.
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Summary: Exquisite stories
Review: If you have not read this author's other books, London and Sarum please do so for they are as outstanding as is this newest book by a wonderful author and historian.I don't know when I have enjoyed history as much for Rutherfurd tells it in the most beguiling ways through stories of real people, their trials, loves and losses. At times one can find tears flowing because they are so poignant and heartbreaking yet one is left with a marvellous sense of seeing history and tradition so revered by our British friends lovingly revealed here. It is difficult to put this book down for many reasons. Each story in each period of time that he writes of has so many nuances that one may want to race through the pages, yet, it is not the best course for a lot of information relevant to the foundation of the early settlement of America by British colonists becomes increasingly clear and a new respect for the traditions our own American land are wonderful to recognize. What is especially delightful is the story of those early forest dwellers, both human and animal. The reader is brought to a keen awareness of how deeply Britians revere their land and their ancestral roots that trace backwards into antiquity and are still present throughout countless descendants who carry on a reverent legacy of respect and love for their great forests. From shipbuilding timber to charcoal to wood for heating and cooking,to acorns and other benefice for the animals, the forest is an everlasting symbol of nurturance and as an invaluable resource for their life and livelihood. This book is a marvellous Christmas, Birthday, or general gift to a person whom you love and know is an avid book reader, and a guarantee that the recepient will be well pleased. You may find that you may want to read it yourself. And then read his other books for a continuation of his vast knowledge and delicious storytelling vignettes of life as we can only imagine it was in the British Islands over the past thousand or so years. A wonderful journey.
Rating: 
Summary: a good summer read
Review: If you want a good summer read by all means pick up Edward Rutherfurd's the Forest. It is by no means a heavy read but a solid enjoyable romp through history. There are loads of details, lots of twists and enough interesting characters to keep you moving along at a brisk pace.
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Summary: Painful to hear, painful to the ear
Review: In seeking a way to alleviate the boredom which hours of car driving can bring on - I thought I'd try the much recommended books-on-tape strategy. 'The Forest' was not the best choice with which to start - and this is where I disagree with Audiofile - the multiple voices of Lynn Redgrave get to be near laughable by the third or fourth disk - especially when she tries to sound like a French person speaking English - layer that over trying to sound like a man - and it gets really weird. It was very painful to listen to and we never finished the tape.
Rating: 
Summary: my review
Review: In this book the author has taken the existence of the Crown Forest in Central South England and has used it as his background to present different lifes throughout England's history and how they are all interconnected through because of this Forest. The description of the scenery and the people, all faithfully following history is very interesting. The stories are fun and easy to read and keep you interested in thier individual plots. I also really enjoyed the description of the Forest in itself, all the lives that are connected to trees: insects, etc. This is certainly the result of some incredible research and I congratulate the author on his book. Good read.
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Summary: A book to savor
Review: It's been slow going with 'The Forest', but some of it could be intentional. Edward Rutherfurd's latest offering is truly something to read and savor. This book (there's no other way to describe it) is composed of eight stories (and an epilouge) that vary in length and follow generations of families--everyone from gentry to poor commoners who've been on the land since the beginning. Contrary to some of his other work, I was captivated in all of the stories. Most are no more than 50 or 60 pages long, so the form of the plot is quick-paced and literal. Longer stories (the longest being 'Albion Park') cover larger blocks of time and can be excruciatingly slow. You keep waiting to come upon some action, while Rutherfurd is sweetly biding his time with his wonderful descriptions. However, if you try to hurry through any of the stories, you'll find yourself lost and confused because you missed a precious detail. Rutherfurd's storytelling is unmatched. The climax of the plot can fill your stomach with butterflies. He also manages to skirt the "big" events in England's history, never directly putting his characters in a traumatic and dramatic period. (The closest he comes is the Spanish Armada.) He effectively describes everyday life for people and animals of the New Forest. 'The Forest' is most similar to 'Russka: The Story of Russia' to me. Both use a more saga-like form, careful to show the outcomes of the families as well as the setting. It is also the only English book of his I've been able to read (I couldn't bear trudging through 'London', which has been prasied as his best work). I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Rutherfurd's work or is interested in a historical fiction/saga-like epic.
Rating:
Summary: Nice short stories, light reading
Review: Like his other books, I enjoy the first few stories immensely, but I get restless with the leaps between centuries. I'm always wishing for more about the early characters. Because he writes this way I have trouble seeing this book and the others as "epic", because there is a lack of continuity between characters and stories. Sure, we know they're related and living in the same area but I see no grand theme, epic events or larger movements at work just because of that. I highly recommend this book for Rutherford fans, I actually enjoyed this more than London. Others might be aware that this book seems to skim the surface of the New Forest rather than plunge deep into its history, ecology and people.
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Summary: A true saga in the Michener vein
Review: Mr Rutherford has given us another story rich with delightful characters and vivid scenery. If you are a fan of James A Michener's books, you will enjoy the rich tapestry that is woven here. The story line covers an area within the catchment of his masterpiece "Sarum", but there is no duplication, and this book stands alone as a work of art. Also of interest is the fact that this book looks at great moments in English history, but almost skirts around them, giving us an insight into what it must have been like to be common folk, in the midst of great events. It is also very entertaining to read. I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: History alive!
Review: Rutherfurd's style makes English history come alive for me! In "The Forest", we follow inhabitants on a timeline spanning centuries, with interwoven ancestries and fascinating insights. My only regret is that Mr. Rutherfurd was not able to expand on each character; I would love to hear more!
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