North and South

North and South Trilogy, Book 1

By: John Jakes

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 30 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Two strangers, young men from Pennsylvania and South Carolina, meet on the way to West Point.... Thus begins this brilliant novel of antebellum America, spanning three generations and chronicling the lives and loves of two great family dynasties. The Hazards and the Mains are brought together in bonds of friendship and affection that neither jealousy nor violence can shatter - until a storm of events sunders the nation and brings the cataclysm of war!

©1982 John Jakes (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Captivating novel of the Civil War

North and South is the first novel in John Jakes' trilogy of the American Civil War. This first book tells the story of the close friendship the develops between George Hazard Of Pennsylvania and Orry Main of South Carolina. Hazard belongs to the industrial class of the mighty North, while Main is a member of the Southern caste of slave holding plantation owners. The backgrounds of these two men are fraught with seemingly insurmountable differences. Despite this, Main and Hazard become close friends during their time at West Point, as well during their service in the Mexican American war. After that conflict the two friends are followed throughout the tumultuous 1850's, right up to the firing on Fort Sumter and the start of the Civil War. The tragedy of the Civil War is magnified as these two intimate companions choose sides, wish each other luck, and go to war.

Over the last 25 years I have read this trilogy three times and I have been waiting very impatiently for an audio version. And it has arrived in all it's glory. Having the superb Grover Gardner narrate is simply icing on a three layer cake.

Gripping drama for historical fiction fans

North and South has been sitting in my Audible library for a couple years. I have no idea why it took me so long to listen to it, but once I finally started, I could not stop. At more than 30 hours, it's impossible to listen to it in one sitting, but I wish I could have. I stayed up well into the early morning hours on more than one occasion because I just couldn't turn it off. I found myself talking back to the narrator and yelling at my iPod because of all the dramatic twists and turns, the evil scheming, and the sheer desire for the protagonists to triumph.

I loved the attention to historical detail and the use of real historical figures as minor characters in the story line. Even the Afterword, in which the author talked about his research and the writing process, was interesting to me.

The narrator was superb, especially his voice for Orry. I could easily distinguish when Orry was speaking, even when in conversation with other South Carolina characters.

Five stars, all around. * * * * *

EXCELLENT

I loved this book and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. The narrator was great and the story line kept me interested for the entire time. I have seen the series on TV but it cannot compare to the book. I highly recommend this to anyone who just loves a great story.

Understanding History

This book has been enjoyable, entertaining & enlightening. I saw the mini series long ago, but now I want to see it again. Just purchased the DVD. After listening to this audible rendition, I'm sure the story will be much more interesting & enjoyable. I highly recommend North and South.

Wowser! More and Better than expected

Character development and storyline awesome! Very much appreciated the background storyline leading up to the Civil War. John Jakes is a master craftsman. Grover Gardner, the narrator terrific. As soon as I am done with this review, I am going to purchase the next in the series.

I am going to listen to this again. I recommend this book!

It’s good

I liked it and I need twelve more words so one two three four five

Fantastic

I have been looking for some time for the audio version of some of the "contemporary" American classics like those written by John Jakes. The book was exceptional and the audio version was exceptional too.

Grover Gardner was just the person to interpret the story and did a great job on the various characters' voices.

Audible: Please more of this genre, how about some of Michener's books...

Delightful!

This is a fantastic story of values, beliefs, and habits of several generations of American families (both North and South) during the darkest period of our history. The author makes me feel as if I'm immersed in the period.

Great and Entertaining Novel

Narrator was excellent. Accurate historical novel with entertaining characters and interesting introduction to the war.

Truly enjoyable

I really enjoyed this book. I wonder how I escaped reading this book when it came out as I have always loved historical fiction. I do remember watching the TV show. i loved the richly detailed descriptions of the West Point cadet life and the different lives led by George and Orry in their respective industrial and plantation environs. I purchased the rest of the trilogy during Audibles most recent spectacular sale so I look forward to the continuing saga.