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Title: The Bastard: The Kent Family Chronicles by John Jakes, Bruce Watson ISBN: 1-57815-160-0 Publisher: Media Books Pub. Date: July, 2000 Format: Audio Cassette Volumes: 4 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.52 (21 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Addicted Me to the Series
Comment: I picked up this book at a garage sale and made the mistake of buying this book and then reading it. It was a mistake because this book is so good and addictive that I had to find the succeeding books in the series, which was no easy task.
This book introduces the Kent clan's founder Phillip Kent. Forced to flee his native England he sneaks his way to the colonies. Along the way he meets several interesting historical characters from his good friend Lafayette to Ben Franklin. A ton of historical fact is presented here that the reader will remember more than if they read a textbook.
Rating: 2
Summary: Too didactic
Comment: I didn't really "finish" this book, but rather quit reading it in the middle. Written in 1974, it is the first in a series of eight books following one family through 200 years of American history, commemorating the Bicentennial celebrated in 1976.
Although Jakes is a skillful writer, I couldn't shake the feeling that the history lesson was too obvious. The prose often seemed didactic, particularly when one character conveniently knew so much more information that he would be likely to know.
I got the impression that the author built the novels around a framework of the history lessons he wanted to tell. Granted, everyone who writes historic fiction has to do this to some extent, but no other author I've read made it so obvious.
Specifically, what made me give up on the book was the stilted way that the protagonist reached the conclusion that emmigrating to the American colonies was his best choice; i.e. he wanted to be free in a land where a man could prosper with his abilities and appetite for hard work.
"The Bastard" (and probably the rest of the series) could have been better if the author had spent more time making the characters seem real. As it is, his characters are little more than devices to move the plot along.
Rating: 5
Summary: A Great Start to the Kent Family Chronicles
Comment: My grandmother gave me the hardcover edition of the entire Kent Family Chronicles over two years ago. After reading several other non-related books, I finally decided to pick up The Bastard and start reading. Well, the book was so good that I ended up finishing it in 3 days just so that I could get on to the next book to see what happens next!!! John Jakes is an exceptional writer who has the ability to write about history, love, deception, you name it...and he makes all of his characters seem so alive that it is not hard to picture all of the different scenes that he creates. He nails the classic love story right on the head with the twists and turns between Philip's (the main character) feelings for both Anne and Alicia, and the choices that Philip has to make. Also, I love how Philip is always fortunate enough to met some of our most pivotal members of American History, such as Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and so on. If you truly want to learn more about American history in a fun and exciting way, then definately pick up this book and start reading. You cannot go wrong!!
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Title: The Rebels by John Jakes ISBN: 0515092061 Publisher: Jove Pubns Pub. Date: 03 April, 2000 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Furies by John Jakes ISBN: 051509157X Publisher: Jove Pubns Pub. Date: November, 1989 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Seekers by John Jakes ISBN: 0515090387 Publisher: Jove Pubns Pub. Date: May, 1992 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Titans by John Jakes ISBN: 0515099287 Publisher: Jove Pubns Pub. Date: January, 1989 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Warriors by John Jakes ISBN: 0515092096 Publisher: Jove Pubns Pub. Date: June, 1994 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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