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mr_rogers_el_camino's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
2.0
This book was one of the worst example of a bait-and-switch I have ever seen. What the book promised was an informative and exciting look at the American revolution what it delivered was an eye rolling soap opera with believable drama on par with a daytime telenova. As much as I hated it there were some excellent moment, mainly anything involving Ben Franklin. Also the Boston tea party and Revere's ride were retold with thrilling accuracy. These moments of excellence almost made me hate the book more cause it showed the author really could write if he wanted to.
emerygirl's review against another edition
3.0
I first read this series the summer before my 8th grade year....hard to believe now, but I swear I did. I really enjoyed them. I also aced the American History test my 8th grade year, I owe it all to this series. However, last summer I found the whole series at a yard sale for super cheap. I bought them all to re-read. I don't know what I was expecting, but it sure didn't catch the magic it did when I was younger.
bethsponz's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve wanted to read a John Jakes book for awhile, and I’m so glad I did. This is a first book in a long series set in early America. This book ends with the first battle of the revolutionary war. The book follows Philip Kent from France to England to finally America. He fails to get his inheritance from his alleged father. He becomes a printer and a Son of Liberty, and there it goes on. Great storytelling! I plan to continue series..
littlelady_28's review against another edition
3.0
This is an enjoyable book that follows the life of Philippe Charboneau, the bastard heir of an English duke, as he first attempts to claim his rightful inheritance, then eventually sees the futility and destruction of that dream and creates a new one by immigrating to America in the months preceding the American Revolution. In America he finally makes the decision to abandon his desire for nobility and in doing so falls in love with a beautiful Patriot.
The book seemed to be unnecessarily long in certain places, such as when Philippe (who eventually changes his name to a more American Philip Kent) and his mother are initially trying to claim his inheritance from Lady Amberley, his father's wife, but those were rare instances. I really like how Jakes incorporated real historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Samuel Adams into the storyline. It was also interesting for me to examine how the issue of patriotism wasn't all black and white. While Philip believed in the cause, at the same time he didn't want the uncertainty and inevitable conflict that it would cause. It was just something I had never really considered before, but an issue that certainly was a factor for many of America's first citizens.
This was not a particular favorite, but not a bad book by any means, and I thoroughly enjoyed the historical events that occurred throughout the novel. I give it a B-.
The book seemed to be unnecessarily long in certain places, such as when Philippe (who eventually changes his name to a more American Philip Kent) and his mother are initially trying to claim his inheritance from Lady Amberley, his father's wife, but those were rare instances. I really like how Jakes incorporated real historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Samuel Adams into the storyline. It was also interesting for me to examine how the issue of patriotism wasn't all black and white. While Philip believed in the cause, at the same time he didn't want the uncertainty and inevitable conflict that it would cause. It was just something I had never really considered before, but an issue that certainly was a factor for many of America's first citizens.
This was not a particular favorite, but not a bad book by any means, and I thoroughly enjoyed the historical events that occurred throughout the novel. I give it a B-.
katef211's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Forgot I read it, had to reread some and then the description. I’ll try one more
kkellymsu's review against another edition
5.0
I'm glad I started reading this series during this crazy 2016 presidential election cycle. It's nice to have a reminder of all that this country went through to get to the point where we can have free and democratic elections. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
kharmacat's review against another edition
3.0
Recommended by Mom. It's essentially a romance set in the years leading up to the Revolutionary War. Besides having great respect for the founding of our country, this has never been my favorite time period. I think it has something to do with the ridiculous style of dress. (Shallow, I know.) Anyway, the book was OK. It's a romance written by a guy. Long. I didn't love it. Sorry, Mom.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
1.0
DNF
"The bold, glittering saga of our America- and the people who made her great.
Set against the rich fabric of our heritage, and the colorful tumult of events that gave rise to a fledging nation, this vibrant novel of romance and adventure introduces a stunning new historical figure to excite the imaginings of future generations: Phillipe Charboneau- THE BASTARD.
Illegitimate son of an English nobleman, Phillipe flees Europe and, as Philip Kent, joins the turbulent adventure that was the beginning of the American Experience. Through his struggles, his passions, his loves, and his courage, we share the wondrous adventure which became our America!" (From Amazon)
Found the novel long-winded and dull.
"The bold, glittering saga of our America- and the people who made her great.
Set against the rich fabric of our heritage, and the colorful tumult of events that gave rise to a fledging nation, this vibrant novel of romance and adventure introduces a stunning new historical figure to excite the imaginings of future generations: Phillipe Charboneau- THE BASTARD.
Illegitimate son of an English nobleman, Phillipe flees Europe and, as Philip Kent, joins the turbulent adventure that was the beginning of the American Experience. Through his struggles, his passions, his loves, and his courage, we share the wondrous adventure which became our America!" (From Amazon)
Found the novel long-winded and dull.
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
2.0
Well, I figured this would be as much as it is - this falls under Historical, but it should be more of Historical Romance, which is not my fare - Sure, it is no Romance novel with "breasts heaving" kind of thing, but the "hero" is not a very heroic gentleman at all, nor is he a character that I like. No character is one that I like, and that is what made this hard to continue with.
The overview of this novel, and the entire series, sounds promising and interesting, but the words that fell onto these pages was far from interesting. I worked my way through the first 'book' within the novel, and the events were scattered though a through-line existed, if only to move the character to the next 'book' within.
Every word and every page seemed to force the character forward instead of him going that way naturally. Even trying to display resilience, you end up just showing him as ill-tempered and stubborn.
But, I did get what was promised, eventually, filled with pages of loveless romance and more arguments between the hero and a woman than he with anyone else.
The overview of this novel, and the entire series, sounds promising and interesting, but the words that fell onto these pages was far from interesting. I worked my way through the first 'book' within the novel, and the events were scattered though a through-line existed, if only to move the character to the next 'book' within.
Every word and every page seemed to force the character forward instead of him going that way naturally. Even trying to display resilience, you end up just showing him as ill-tempered and stubborn.
But, I did get what was promised, eventually, filled with pages of loveless romance and more arguments between the hero and a woman than he with anyone else.