The first volume of John Jakes's acclaimed and sweeping saga about a friendship threatened by the divisions of the Civil War In the years leading up to the Civil War, one enduring friendship embodies the tensions of a nation. Orry Main from South Carolina and George Hazard from Pennsylvania forge a lasting bond while training at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Together they fight in the Mexican-American War, but their closeness is tested as their regional politics diverge. As the first rounds are fired at ...
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The first volume of John Jakes's acclaimed and sweeping saga about a friendship threatened by the divisions of the Civil War In the years leading up to the Civil War, one enduring friendship embodies the tensions of a nation. Orry Main from South Carolina and George Hazard from Pennsylvania forge a lasting bond while training at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Together they fight in the Mexican-American War, but their closeness is tested as their regional politics diverge. As the first rounds are fired at Fort Sumter, Orry and George find themselves on different sides of the coming struggle. In John Jakes's unmatched style, North and South launches a trilogy that captures the fierce passions of a country at the precipice of disaster.
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First, this is an interesting story about two young men who go to West Point in the 1840's; one from the north (George Hazard) and one from the south (Orry Main)These two become the best of friends--more like brothers. They survive four years at the academy, and then go to war against Mexico where Main loses an arm. They both come from wealthy families, and we see the lives of Northerners and Southerners through their eyes. We see them get married and start raising families. We see them have family quarrels over slavery. Second, we get to see painstaking research into the feelings and causes that brought American men to the battlefield to fight American men. Third, we get a ringside seat as to the politics and politicians of the era. The book was overwhelming when I first say it (two inches thick), but the story in the book is even more overwhelming. Read it and see if you don't agree.
Hisham
Aug 9, 2007
A definite treasure!
This what I came to expect from an epic. The book defines historical facts with pure authenticity and clarity. Learning your past is what shapes your future! John Jakes to me is alone on the pedestal. He has no rival...period