Savannah Grey

This was a compelling historical fiction. The story was captivating and brought the time period to life. I was impressed by the amount of historical detail and by the author's ability to create such engaging characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Savannah or wants to learn about its history.

Savannah Grey by Jim Jordan is a wonderful read. The author has created an exciting storyline with powerful characters all tightly woven into the history of pre-Civil War Savannah, Ga. The reader becomes emotionally involved with the characters and feels the joy and sorrow of their daily lives while also learning about the life and politics of the time. Savannah Grey takes you back to one of the most tumultuous times in our country's history and gives you a real glimpse of what life was like during that time.

Savannah Grey immediately engages the reader's interest and imagination. Because of comprehensive character development, one can rarely separate the fictional from the non-fictional characters in this superlative historical novel. Fortunately, an appendix lists the historic characters by last name, first name, and brief description; however, the excitement is finishing the novel PRIOR TO checking this list! A particular strength of this novel is the empathetic, balanced perspective--despite the novel's having "Savannah" in the title--between Southern and Northern views. In addition, Jim Jordan's inclusion of architectural details is educational and fascinating. My next visit to Savannah will be with notes gleaned from the book to view with new insight the historic homes and architectural styles as described in Savannah Grey. A five-star first effort, leaving the reader with eager anticipation and impatience for Jim Jordan's next novel!

Having artfully set up the historical context of his tale, Jim Jordan progresses with a wonderful description of life in Savannah prior to the Civil War. By the end of the story, we KNOW those people and we CARE about what becomes of them. We've 'seen' the city and we find it beautiful. We shake our heads at some of their foibles and antics; we admire their strong characters and their high standards. Sometimes, we know their confusion. In fact, we think we know so much about these lively characters that we're sure we must have been there, ourselves. So carefully is the story told that we discern no judgement of 'right and wrong' in the author but are only made aware of the very real humanity of all involved in Southern plantation life in those years. Perhaps it will surprise readers how much the North actually meant to the South and how closely they were intertwined in terms of family ties, education, commerce and culture. If we didn't understand it before, we learn how deep the wrench war between the North and the South would become to both sides. Now we just want to know what happened to all of them, our old friends, after the book ends! Hopefully, Mr. Jordan will pick up the threads in his next book.

If you're looking for a book that combines historic accuracy, a fascinating plot and characters you care about then Savannah Grey is for you. The history as told in this novel is real. Few readers will be able to distinguish the fictional characters from the historic characters. This is a page turner that you will wish would never end. I recommend it very highly. Hugh T. Harrington author of: "Civil War Milledgeville, Tales From the Confederate Capital of Georgia," "Remembering Milledgeville, Historic Tales From Georgia's Antebellum Capital" and "More Milledgeville Memories."