North and South

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I order books for a family member who is incarcerated. He has always been pleased with the quality of the used books for the price paid, but this one was missing several pages.

A fictional look at two families whose children form a strong bond only to have it tested by the Civil War. John Jakes paints a beautiful picture of friendship, patriotism, love, loss, and betrayal as two boys become men during one of the worst periods in American history. I’ve read this trilogy twice a year every year for at least a decade. It never gets old and always pulls me in.

No matter what you are into North and South is for you. This is one book that has everything a person could want in a book. If you like action-its there, romance-there, you will find it a tough book to put down!

This is the best book I have ever read! I have always been interested in the Civil War, but you don't even have to be in order to love this book. It is about two best friends and their struggle as the country begins to rip to shreds and they know they are from different sides. Trust me, you will love this book read it! You cant go wrong!

To look at the thickness of these books (North & South, Love & War, and Heaven & Hell) might be a little discouraging. Take heart and plunge right in, no one can tell a story the way Jakes can, He has researched the period and he knows his stuff. You open the cover and begin to read and before you know it, it's over. You catch a glimps of what it was like during that troubling time, both sides of the story are told. This series was insightful and entertaining. If you've only seen the mini-series (which was delightful), read the books.....you're missing out!

I picked this book up on a whim. Boy was I surprised! I don't usually like "War" novels, but this book is wonderful. The dialogue is good, the plot draws you in & you really come to care about the characters. I felt like I got to know George, Orry, Madeline, Constance, Billy & Charles, Brett & Ashton. The only downfall I could find with this book is that I feel like I was reading EVERYTHING about every day of their lives. It makes the book richer, yes, but it also can be very draining to read.In fact, instead of just launching myself into the 2nd book (which is what I usually do), I am taking a break. The topics covered in N & S are so deep that you almost have to do that in order to bring yourself back to the current time. With all that, please pick up this book & transport yourself to a different time, where everything WASN'T black & white.

I just finished North and South and can't wait to move on to Love and War. When I first picked up the book, I didnt realize the book was almost entirely taking place in the years that led up to the outbreak of war. I absolutely loved the prologue, the story of Orry and George at West Point, life in the south at Mont Royal, and Charles and Billy becoming so similar to their brothers. This book was great in that not only did you learn about what the times were like but you also get a fantastic fictional story out of it. The characters and storylines are so strong you can almost feel what it was like to live in both the north and the south and you can commiserate with the characters. I liked the way Jakes writes: it flows and is an easy read. This was the first book I read by Jakes and I look forward to finishing the North and South series and also beginning the Kent Family series. I recommend this one highly.