Rating: 
Summary: More history than novel
Review: It's hard to bring myself to the point of criticizing someone as important, respected and truly talented as President Carter. I have the utmost respect for the man and his entire career, not to mention his literary oeuvre. But let's keep in mind that President Carter is an engineer by academic training, having studied at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Naval Academy. Nobody is going to confuse him with John Steinbeck, nor should they. This book reads like a history book rather than a novel. It's meticulously researched and well written, but President Carter just doesn't have the talent of metaphor that, say, Faulkner has. And that's a tall order, I know. That said, keep in mind that the President's prose isn't going to rivet you to your seat and his plot isn't going to keep you on the edge of it. The book seems to accomplish its purpose of vividly portraying the period and place, but it does so in relatively unpolished form. And perhaps most importantly, the book captures the President's enthusiasm and what historian Daniel Boorstin would call "amateur spirit"--something we truly miss in a world of hyper-specialization and professionalism.President Carter is Georgia's ambassador to the world, and he is deserving of our attention. His literary endeavors are sincere and impressive. He's a true renaissance man, and a crystal clear voice in a confusing and troubled time.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Research
Review: Jimmy Carter has done an admirable job of research on a part of the Revolutionary War that has most of us know little about. Unfortunately, Jimmy Carter's first-rate research is undone by his limited skills as a writer - especially a writer of fiction. It is ultimately a great deal like his presidency: the best of intentions, a good mind, and poor results.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Research - Bad Novel
Review: I have to agree with the reader from Pasadena, CA. President Carter did a fabulous job of research. But, it did not flow as a novel. The first half of the book was bogged down in waaaay too much detail about the main characters. The second half of the book flowed much better in terms of integrating the details with the story.
Rating:
Summary: I was excited to read this....
Review: I believe that Jimmy Carter is a fine man with a good heart and an admirable mind. "Sources of Strength" was an inspiring book to me. So I waited in line for 3 hours to have Mr. Carter sign my copy of "The Hornet's Nest." But that's where my story takes a turn for the worse. Because then I read the book. And it's not great. The ratio of telling to showing is really bad, the dialogue is stilted, etc... I finished it as a matter of principle. But I would not recommend it to a friend looking for a good read. I've given it 2 stars simply because the research that went into the book was obviously so extensive. And I learned some interesting things. But now I know why no other former presidents have written fiction. It's harder than it looks! (And I'm not a writer.)
Rating: 
Summary: A great book by one of America's greatest Presidents
Review: Whether, like me, you were a big fan of Carter back at the time, or whether you have come to love the unquestioned greatest ex-President we have ever had (just look at Habitat for Humanity, which Republicans and Democrats support alike), you will naturally want to read this magnificent novel by him which bears all the excellent hallmarks of good research, a compelling story and a great view of the South, one that we all need in these troubled times. Democrats - buy this for all your Republican friends and see if they are still Republicans come November 2004 - this could be the Democrats secret weapon! Christopher Catherwood, fellow Evangelical Christian, Baptist and author of CHRISTIANS MUSLIMS AND ISLAMIC RAGE (Zondervan, 2003)
Rating:
Summary: A Revelation to the Revolutionary War
Review: I never fully understood or appreciated the Southern United States' pivitol impact on the Revolutionary War until I read President Carter's supurb and eye-awakening novel. He provides the reader with arcane yet crucial knowledge and perspective into how Southern America's people, geography, and events, all uniquely combined to have a decisive role in the Revolutionary War's outcome.Upon Reading Carter's book, I am amazed historian's have given so little attention to the South's critical influence on the war. Do not expect to read a historical, prototypical text book account. Carter conveys the information in the form of a novel, which makes the reading much more colorful.
I believe this is President Carter's 17th book, and the first ever novel written by a President. On a personal note, my review is somewhat biased based upon my deep respect and admiration for President Carter. What a first class president he was and world renowned, respected leader he remains and will always be.
The President adroitly combines his Southern heritage, presidential experience, writing skills, hard work (seven years of research), and love for country and world to create an interesting and historically valuable account of Southern America's vital role in the Revolutionary War.
Rating:
Summary: Calls attention to the most neglected part of our history
Review: As a living historian who educates both children and adults on this time period I could only say "Its about time!" when I heard this was published. Yankee historians have virtually airbrushed the American South out of this conflict and New England still carries on if they won it single-handedly. Compare 12 battles fought in Mass to the 85 fought in SC and the disparity is immediately apparent. The effort is overdue. The events that led to and culminated in the American victory occurred in the South. It is the most captivating, untold and compelling story in our history until the 1860's. Carter's research is quite good. His interviews demonstrate a firm historical grasp. Unfortunately the majority of the criticisms are valid. Characters are flat. There seems to be no plot. The story is poorly told. While I respect Carter as a person but have never cared for his politics I read this(every single page) with an open mind. It fails on almost every level. This is an excellent story just begging for a better story-teller.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book, from one who normally does not like Fiction
Review: It's true that a beginning writer would have had a difficult time in finding a publisher for this book. It didn't hurt that Mr. Carter was once our President. However, to write a book like this, you have to have knowledge and compassion - I could never imagine some of our other former Presidents even trying to write anything like this - Johnson, Nixon, Clinton or the Bushes? Read this book, as it is entertaining, enjoyable, and if nothing else, a book you can learn from.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting history and good attention to detail
Review: This a very good book about a region and an era. President Carter's attention to detail helps create the setting for the book. Anybody interested in history will enjoy this book. The book is sophisticated enough for adults yet could easily be read by teenagers. This book will spur the reader to learn more about that war and the South. Buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting with a lot of action and detail
Review: I liked this book and think it worth your time, regardless of your politics.
+ Action and attention to detail.
+ Just enough moralizing to give it a substantive feel. Carter does a great job explaining why "hearts and minds" and not committing atrocities help a campaign win. He gives a version of the facts that rings more true than the sugar-coated glossed over version that I was fed in high school. - There are lousy, stilted, and awkward sex scenes. Seems like an editor was saying there had to be some horizontal action to make it a novel. The book would have been a lot stronger if these had been edited out completely. After all, this was written by Carter, not a more, ahem, experienced president :-) - The "story" aspects run out of steam about 2/3 of the way through. Part of the problem is that we all know who won the war. Also, some of the more interesting characters are killed off with a lot of book left to go.
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