Interesting characters in interesting times

A thought provoking characterisation of two families fighting to keep their friendships alive while their country tears itself apart. Looking forward to the next 2 books.

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fantastic.

I loved it. having seen the tv series I was unsure if the book would grip me as it did but after the first chapter I was hooked.

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Brilliant!

I loved the t.v show but this is even better. It’s a long listen but it kept my attention throughout. I’ve already downloaded the next book!

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Epic

I have now listened to all three parts of this monumental story set before, during and after the American Civil War. It reminds me of Tolstoy's War and Peace in the way it uses fictitious characters to bring the disruptive and destructive effects of war on peoples' lives. It's an engrossing story and I was captivated throughout the many hours of listening helped by the outstanding narration. What a task the recording must have been. My only minor criticism is the author's excessive and often lascivious references to women's breasts, which cheapened the otherwise superb trilogy.

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A thoroughly enjoyable education

I’m a Brit with a real fascination of older American history - thanks in part to the chaos brought by Donald Trump’s presidency and also an obsession with the musical Hamilton. I think this first book in the trilogy was a daily deal and so well worth a punt. I’m so glad I did. I should say I really like getting stuck into a long audiobook. It’s been the most enjoyable listen over a period of a number of weeks and I have finished on Christmas Day where I’ve chosen to finish the book rather than listen to terrible Christmas music!!!! The story is great, narrator excellent, and I’ve also downloaded the second book in order to continue the story.

Very happy customer 👍🏼

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brilliantly written. brilliantly read.

jakes has kept so true to history with the facts and events while mixing them perfectly with the fiction within the story. he has created a stoey that has lots of plots and storylines and every one of them are interesting and keep you wanting more. grover narrates this perfectly. the accents make you feel like you are actually there! absolutely loved this and look forward to the next two books in he series.

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Gone with the Wind meets War and Peace

I must admit I didn't know much about the American Civil war, but I love a good family saga and having lived in South Africa have drained the Wilbur Smith Courtney books to the last drop. It was the Narrator, Grover Gardner who led me to this book; having just finished The Stand and earlier having listened to the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich (hardly a man trapped in a particular genre!) I knew I was in for impeccable intonation, distinguishable characters and a rich spread of accents.

The story unfolds slowly, there are the usual vendettas, set-backs, and baddies up to no good. There are the usual romantic entanglements, frantic couplings and skeletons in cupboards. All this is set against a well researched backdrop of the inexorable build up to a war that still raises painful emotions in America, The harrowing realities of slavery and the social and economic causes of the war are comprehensively described in what seemed to me (as a Brit)), a fairly balanced way. I have just started the second book, so the war hasn't really got going yet, but already I am planning to continue to the Third book!

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Changed perspective!

I had my ‘self invented’ ideas about the American Civil War, but now discovered I knew nothing! This is a fascinating novel, giving views of the era from national, local, family and even individual perspectives. Notwithstanding the occasional melodrama (the train accident aftermath in particular), it provides an excellent historical representation folded into a compelling story. Don’t let the 30hrs put you off, it requires every minute of it and can’t wait for the 42 hr Love and War!! (Scottish reader)

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A Slice of Southern Ham

Absolutely dreadful. All the expected Civil War tropes. One would think the War itself would provide sufficient to write about without all the melodrama peopled by pantomime villains. The Killer Angels it is not.

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