Love and War: Volume Two of the North and South Trilogy

By: John Jakes

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 42 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

The Main and Hazard families clash on and off the Civil War’s battlefields as they grapple with the violent realities of a divided nation.

America's master storyteller continues his reign with Love and War, a story steeped in passion and betrayal. With the Confederate and Union armies furiously fighting, the once-steadfast bond between the Main and Hazard families continues to be tested. From opposite sides of the conflict, they face heartache and triumph on the frontlines as they fight for the future of the nation and their loved ones.

With his impeccable research and unfailing devotion to the historical record, John Jakes offers his most enthralling and enduring tale yet.

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

Very good story --- but not equal to vol. one!

Though this second volume was very good it seemed to fall short of the first. There is a great deal of unnecessary dialog that I felt was to NO point or purpose in the story! The aforementioned seemed to make the story/book a bit to looooooong.

Irrespective of the above comments I GENUINLY look FORWARD to volume three!!!

Love and War

Any additional comments?

Audiobook. Over forty hours of listening. Love and War is the second book in a three part trilogy regarding the American Civil War. Although historically accurate, the primary purpose of this story is not to convey history. It is rather to convey the effects of history of the lives of ordinary people. Sweeping and accurate, Love and War pulls the characters from North and South through the war years as human, flawed, and victims all.

Expect the epic-tale style of writing, a different type of presentation than the modern novel. Better, in my opinion, affording the reader the opportunity to savor the time and thoughts of the characters and the author.

Listened to this audiobook at 1.5 speed. Grover Gardner, although a terrific narrator for the series, is a bit slow for my taste.

Love history.

if you enjoy history you will like this book about the civil war. It is long and I liked that.

so many parrellels to today.

the conflicts. the polarisation of the political parties. the blindness that opposites hold on to

Excellent!

I enjoyed this volume as much, if not more, than the first book in the series. Rather than mind-numbing details about the various battles, we see how the war affects the emotional well being of the characters as they live through their respective trials and tribulations.
As a devotee of historical fiction, I can't believe I've never read this series. I vaguely remember the mini-series as a teenager but apparently was not sufficiently impressed to pick up the book. I'm glad I have now. I look forward to the third volume.

Gripping Civil War story

The characters in this story are so well drawn that I “feel their pain” or joy as written. I find myself sitting in a parking lot to finish a chapter before finishing my errands. The families, the impact of the war on them, the hair raising episodes from time to time all make this a story to remember. John Jakes can tell a great story, well researched as to the war itself. Grover Gardner is a superb narrator!

Didn’t won’t this to end

I cried when Orry lost his life. I have laid in bed at night thinking about all the things that our country went through, men and women of all color. This book this Trilogy is a must have.

Gripping

This story, while long, was so detailed it felt like I was alongside them in the worst of it. I found myself wanting to know what happens next almost immediately after a change of scene. It audibly exclaimed and gasped at the shocking bits (characters dying that I didn't expect and such) and happily smiling at the good bits. I look forward to diving into the next book soon.

Not your average Civil War book

Would you listen to Love and War again? Why?

I will definitely listen to Love and War again. If history class had been this interesting in school, I probably would have paid more attention! This is NOT another factual account of Civil War battles. This is a look at all the things you didn't learn in history class tied together in a story line that will let you see and feel both sides of the the most atrocious event in American history. The characters were so real. You loved them, you hated them, you understood them, and you didn't. You come away from it feeling like you have lived through that period in history.

What other book might you compare Love and War to and why?

Obviously, North and South, however, I liked this one much better. Often you think you will be disappointed by a second book in a series, or by a book that has been made a movie or t.v. show, but this one will change your mind.

Which scene was your favorite?

Without spoiling anything, it involved Sport, the horse.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Impossible due to the length, but I listened non-stop for days!

Any additional comments?

If you like historical fiction, don't miss this one! I was very moved by it. It is definitely one of the best uses of my credits in recent years. I can't wait for the third installment in this series to be released in Audio!

Great sequel to original

There were a few slow parts in this book but all in all a very enjoyable listen. This book gave me new insights to the Civil War which I did not previously have and that is also worth something.