Rating: 
Summary: Intrigue, history and a great writing style make this a must
Review: Martin's fast-paced biographical style combines historical facts with current-day struggles, making this a great work for anyone living in and loving eastern Massachusetts. Tracing the history of two Mayflower families in their personal, economic and political struggles provides an entertaining way to learn more about American history! A must-read book!
Rating:
Summary: How much fact in this fiction?
Review: The amazing amount of detail in this fascinating novel leads me to believe that these are "real" people. The excellent genealogy charts are a must to follow along with the story. Where can I find more facts on the Pilgims?
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but couldn't decide on an ending
Review: The book was wonderful! I couldn't put it down -- until I got to the end where William Martin could have ended it in several ways. Instead, he chose to end it, and end it, and end it . . . I found myself flipping through the pages without reading.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but couldn't decide on an ending
Review: The book was wonderful! I couldn't put it down -- until I got to the end where William Martin could have ended it in several ways. Instead, he chose to end it, and end it, and end it . . . I found myself flipping through the pages without reading.
Rating: 
Summary: One great character
Review: This is not a great book. It is a good book, and one that obviously required the author to know a lot about the historical and geographical settings in which the story takes place. The writing is uneven, with the scenes taking place a hundred or two hundred years ago more believable and absorbing than those taking place during the early 1990s. What changed this book from mediocre to good was one character, Sam Hilyard, who is a "past" character. Martin pours more life into Sam Hilyard than he does into any of his vaguely drawn 1990s characters. Sam is a robust sea captain, a world traveler, a brawler, a passionate and vengeful man who gives his soul away to take revenge on the family of the only woman he ever loves, and then gives up his life to redeem himself. A very good book could have been written about Sam alone. There are other memorable characters in this story but Sam Hilyard is one of a kind. I am not a regular reader of historical fiction. I read this book because an employee at Cabbages and Kings bookstore in Chatham, MA told me it was the best history of Cape Cod he knew of. I haven't read all the histories, but this book certainly allows the reader to understand the long history of the Cape. It also builds a respect for the land and the people of Cape Cod, and that's quite an accomplishment for a novel.
Rating:
Summary: Great read
Review: This was a great read. It is my fourth Martin book. My first was Annopolis, which I found to be reveting. My second was Citizen Washington and then, (back to back) Back Bay and Cape Cod. Martin's fiction equals that of Jackes and Michener. I just retured from a visit to the Boston area; unfortunately, I didn't visit Cape Cod. After reading this book, I want to go back!
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