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The rousing Kent family saga continues as Philip Kent fights for his new country alongside the greatest figures of the Revolutionary War The engrossing follow-up to The Bastard finds Philip Kent standing as a Continental solider at the Battle of Bunker Hill. In a bold move, Kent has taken up arms for the future of his new family. Spirited and unwavering in his dedication to his adopted homeland, Kent fights in the most violent battles in America's early history. As the Revolution rages, show more Kent's story interweaves with the trials of a vivid cast of characters, both famous and unknown. The result is a tautly plotted epic novel that transports the reader into the thrilling adventure of a man's fight for a new life. This ebook features an illustrated biography of John Jakes including rare images from the author's personal collection. show lessTags
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It's really tough to put this series down. It's fast paced, a bit of a historical soap opera, with a fantastic look at America's history for another couple of years of the Revolutionary War. In this book, we're introduced to another major character & get great glimpse into the lifestyle of Virginia. We're still keeping up with Philip Kent, Boston, & the Army.
The sacrifices the men in the Colonial Army made were incredible. Poorly led & supplied, far away from their homes & families, these men stuck through incredible hardships. Lack of food, clothing, boots, training, & medical care that made even a minor injury life threatening. Their families had to fend for themselves & the mail was iffy, so they couldn't even keep track of what was show more happening.
Slavery in VA, the westward expansion into Kentucky, Clark & the western frontier were also covered. No great detail, but a few glimpses of the folks that lived & traveled there did a great job of giving me some perspective on the times & people. George Clark makes a few appearances, too.
Another interesting note was book piracy. Apparently everybody did it even though it was illegal, but the financial penalty was so small, it wasn't worth the time to prosecute for most. Our hero is plans to start his book selling business by republishing Thomas Paine's works. He doesn't plan on paying for them, just getting his hands on all the pamphlets he can, printing & binding them nicely. Imagine that!
On to the next, [b:The Seekers|71772|The Seekers (Kent Family Chronicles, #3)|John Jakes|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1309206553s/71772.jpg|2707905]! show less
The sacrifices the men in the Colonial Army made were incredible. Poorly led & supplied, far away from their homes & families, these men stuck through incredible hardships. Lack of food, clothing, boots, training, & medical care that made even a minor injury life threatening. Their families had to fend for themselves & the mail was iffy, so they couldn't even keep track of what was show more happening.
Slavery in VA, the westward expansion into Kentucky, Clark & the western frontier were also covered. No great detail, but a few glimpses of the folks that lived & traveled there did a great job of giving me some perspective on the times & people. George Clark makes a few appearances, too.
Another interesting note was book piracy. Apparently everybody did it even though it was illegal, but the financial penalty was so small, it wasn't worth the time to prosecute for most. Our hero is plans to start his book selling business by republishing Thomas Paine's works. He doesn't plan on paying for them, just getting his hands on all the pamphlets he can, printing & binding them nicely. Imagine that!
On to the next, [b:The Seekers|71772|The Seekers (Kent Family Chronicles, #3)|John Jakes|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1309206553s/71772.jpg|2707905]! show less
John Jakes brings history to life in this series. Not just dry facts-he makes historic characters & happenings interesting.
I enjoy Jakes' books immensely. I especially like this series because it's an era I haven't read a whole lot about. The only problem was, in between the first book in the series and this one, I read North and South. I had to re-establish the characters in my head all over again.
I read the Kent Family Chronicles a LONG time ago, but I loved every one of them...I thought they were great for portraying history.
I enjoyed the family as they continued through all the books...I may have to re-read them some day.
I enjoyed the family as they continued through all the books...I may have to re-read them some day.
Well written.
Second in a series that you enjoyed reading (perfect timing just slightly after USA's bicentenial). Here's what you wrote in 1984: "Second in bicentenial series. Fight for America's freedom continues as Kent dynasty begins, tempered with Fletcher blood."
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Historical Fiction
889 works; 91 members
Author Information
270+ Works 20,505 Members
John Jakes was born in Chicago in 1932. He studied acting at Northwestern University, where he began writing professionally during his freshman year. Later he enrolled in a creative writing program at DePauw University and received a master's degree in American literature from Ohio State University. Early in his career Jakes wrote copy for a show more pharmaceutical company and various ad agencies, and authored dozens of short stories encompassing western, mystery and science fiction themes. In March 1973, Jakes commenced work on The Kent Family Chronicles, a multi-volume set portraying American history through the lives of a fictional family. Later works include North and South (1982), California Gold (1989), Homeland (1993), and American Dreams. Six of his major novels have been filmed as television miniseries, and North and South remains one of the highest rated miniseries in the history of television. Jakes is actively involved in the adaptation of North and South for the Broadway stage. John Jakes has been hailed as the godfather of the historical novel, and America's history teacher. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Rebels
- Original publication date
- 1975
- People/Characters
- Phillip Kent
- Important places
- USA
- Important events
- American Revolution (1775 | 1783)
- Related movies
- The Rebels (1979 | IMDb)
- Epigraph
- You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil,and blood, and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet, through all the gl... (show all)oom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means, and that prosperity will triumph in that day's transactions, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not."
John Adams
Writing to his wife Abigail
From Philadelphia.
July 2, 1776. - Dedication
- For my daugher, Andrea
- First words
- A British drum started a slow march cadence.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Laughing aloud, Donald poured more wine while the rain beat harder on the house and the Fletcher eyes glared from the wall in the guttering candlelight.
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- ISBNs
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- UPCs
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- ASINs
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