Rating: 
Summary: This book took me places - literally
Review: I consider a book great if, after I finish it, I can't stop thinking about it. After I read Katharine Kurtz's Two Crowns for America, I became so interested in colonial history that I visited George Washington's birthplace in Westmoreland County, VA and other Washington historical sites in Fredericksburg, VA. As a fan of historical fiction, my favorites are the ones that make well known figures more real and human; they do more than describe the heros and heroines as GREAT FIGURES IN HISTORY. The story is a wonderful blend of history and fantasy, making me wish it really happened this way. I would recommend this book to anyone hated history class in high school. They will find history is much more entertaining when Katherine Kurtz tells it
Rating: 
Summary: Great research -- not much story
Review: I expected a good story from Katherine Kurtz, the author of the Deryni books that I've enjoyed so much. And this book does have the attention to historical detail that I expected. Too much, in fact: there are several lengthy scenes depicting Masonic rituals that read as if Kurtz just wanted to show off her research. Overall I was very disappointed. The characters were unconvincing and seemed like they were just going through their paces, and I never cared about any of them; there was never any real sense of urgency to the story; Kurtz spends way too much time *telling* what happens instead of showing us what happens; and basically, I didn't see any real *plot*, at least not one that caught my interest! Those few aspects that seemed intriguing -- the nature of the Master, for instance -- are the ones that are least delved into. It may be worthwhile reading if you're avidly interested in U.S. history, particularly of the American Revolution; but if you're just looking for an entertaining story, I'd pass it by. I feel bad giving this book only one star -- it's not *badly* done, exactly -- but frankly, I only finished it out of a sense of duty.
Rating: 
Summary: GREAT BOOK!!!!!
Review: I have not read any other books by Kurtz but picked this one up on a whim. She really mixes the Freemason myths and the American Revolution together well. I was amazed to discover that St Germain was a real person. Seeing the real Founding Fathers such as Washington, Revere, and Franklin alongside the fictional members of this conspiracy was great and I hope some producer decides to make it a movie.
Rating:
Summary: Not on the level
Review: I'm a Scot history buff as well as enamered by tales about our founding fathers. Lots of good background information, however it didn't seem to have much of a plot and if someone didn't know anything about Freemasionry you would be left very much in the dark.
Rating:
Summary: Preety good
Review: I'm a Scot history buff as well as enamered by tales about our founding fathers. Lots of good background information, however it didn't seem to have much of a plot and if someone didn't know anything about Freemasionry you would be left very much in the dark.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting insights into Freemasonry, in a fantasy setting.
Review: Katherine Kurtz does a credible job with the historical setting. Her ploy of using Freemasonry as a recruiting ground and cover for a deeper esoteric group, which shares considerable common interests with the Jacobite movement is compelling. The author's only flaw is during the initiation of the lady, when she exempts her from one requirement, but maintains another. This displays modern sensiblities, not those of an age where a proper lady would feel no compunction nursing an infant in public, but when no woman could expose her legs to view without scandal. The lady, her husband and the gentleman preparing her for the ritual, should have found it no more uncomfortable, and perhaps eaisier, to bare the left breast than to bare the left leg from the knee down. Knowing how modesty was practiced in that day, it was for me a jarring note.
Rating:
Summary: Not on the level
Review: Proof that excellent research and the ability to put words together nicely doth not a good book make can be found herein. Kurtz seems to have forgotten the rule of "show, don't tell," as much of the novel is descriptive summary of the progress of the Revolutionary war. Such few scenes as dramatize character development seem to have been cut-and-pasted from _Lammas Night_ and the Camber of Culdi novels. One can entertain oneself by matching the characters with characters in the Camber novels, but one might better spend one's time rereading those books and skipping this one.
Rating:
Summary: Not on the level
Review: Proof that excellent research and the ability to put words together nicely doth not a good book make can be found herein. Kurtz seems to have forgotten the rule of "show, don't tell," as much of the novel is descriptive summary of the progress of the Revolutionary war. Such few scenes as dramatize character development seem to have been cut-and-pasted from _Lammas Night_ and the Camber of Culdi novels. One can entertain oneself by matching the characters with characters in the Camber novels, but one might better spend one's time rereading those books and skipping this one.
Rating:
Summary: Well written, superbly researched
Review: This book takes us back to the dark days when there was a very real possibility that the United States would fall back into the hands of the British government. Ms Kurtz' depiction of Freemasonry is sympathetic and treats the Craft far better than many authors have. But the meat of this book are the characters. She successfully depicts the character and morality of George Washington as few can. Well worth the price, and worthy of an honored place in your library.
Rating:
Summary: Well written, superbly researched
Review: This book takes us back to the dark days when there was a very real possibility that the United States would fall back into the hands of the British government. Ms Kurtz' depiction of Freemasonry is sympathetic and treats the Craft far better than many authors have. But the meat of this book are the characters. She successfully depicts the character and morality of George Washington as few can. Well worth the price, and worthy of an honored place in your library.
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