This is another of the great books of the Kent Family Chronicles, an eight book historical perspective of life in America from Revolutionary days through the 1800s. This particular one is the first of the two Civil War novels in this series. I had previously read all of the books of the series as they were published in the mid 1970s in recognition of America's Bicentennial around the time that they were published. I decided to reread the two Civil War books as part of a historical fiction challenge and as I read them well over 30 years ago, it was more or less like a new read for me, but I am now hooked again after this one. And yes, I will be going back and picking up the ones in the series before this one and completing all eight sometime in the near future. This one was so good giving a feel in the nation for the coming of the war and through the first major battle from the typical and not so typical people living, working and enduring the hardships placed on them both in the Union and in the Confederacy. Jakes effortlessly incorporates names you recognize before they would have been recognizable in that time. And these Kent Family members, their cohorts, their love interests and their comrades all leap from the pages with realism, with depth and with true belief in their own respective causes. I loved it!!
The Titans focuses on Kent family founder Philip's great-great grandson, Gideon Kent, a cavalary officer in the Confederate Army as the Civil War breaks out. I always enjoyed how well Jakes could show all sides of the issues, especially in the complicated Civil War. He did this spectacularly in his North and South series, as well. On both sides of the Mason-Dixon line are people who are firm in their beliefs, right or wrong, people who respect the other side even when they don't agree, people who are dangerous radicals in their beliefs, and people who just don't know what or who to believe in. Instead of brother against brother, The Titans pits father against son as Gideon's estranged father Jephtha is a reporter for a Union newspaper.
What do You think about The Titans (2004)?
Joy: I am really, really glad that you are enjoying John Jakes' series. This series is a great way to enjoy a good family saga and get a good feel for how people felt in those days. He makes history very readable!
—Joy H.
Discontent spreads across the country that fought and won their independence a few short generations earlier. The fourth Kent generation lives and fights in the war that threatened to tear their country apart forever. Individual members of family dynasties often differ greatly in looks, intellect and morals. Amanda Kent was a strong but just woman. Unfortunately she past only the first of these traits to her son Louis and it will force long standing family friends to try to set him onto the path of honor. John Jakes adds new twists to a time and period that is often written in and about. The names that we once came across in our history books come alive and stay with us in this new literary light. The Kent families have prospered and wield the influence of the very wealthy. The family finds itself split into both camps. This illustrates one of the strangest phenomena of this strange modern war; brothers fought brothers and fathers fought sons in this passionate conflict. Not all of them are in agreement with the course of their nation and the conflict (as with many others) threatens to tear them apart. The Titans is a great read and I highly recommend it to all.
—Thom Swennes
In this, book 5 of the Kent family chronicles, the story begins with the election of 1860. A Kent father/son (Jeptha Kent/Gideon Kent) end up on opposite sides. At book's end, it is 31 May 1862. Gideon and Molly have daughter born that day, which they subsequently named Eleanor. General Joe Johnston received a serious wound, and was replaced by REL. The latter’s reputation had suffered due to some losses in the Valley the previous year. Gideon’s father, Jeptha, had smuggled some money to him to buy himself a horse. JEB Stuart’s cavalry rode their famous mission during the peninsular campaign. Then they returned, Gideon was listed as missing in action.
—Dick Edwards
