As the sixth volume of the Kent Family Chronicles, The Warriors doesn’t lose any of the passion and action of the preceding five books. One of the great things about this series (in my opinion) is that it is difficult to say that one was so much superior to another. The books relate the times in which they were written and history unfolds in all of its glory. The Warriors is set in a continuation of the Civil War and its aftermath. The horrors inflicted upon the civilian population in Georgia and South Carolina by Sherman’s infamous “March to the Sea” is vividly portrayed. As the United States licks its wounds and reconstruction begins, the movement west again gains momentum and the country grows once more with the Kent families playing a vital role. The seemingly impossible task of constructing a transcendental railroad is explored and serves as a tribute to immigrant Americans. The saga continues in a well written, interesting and colorful book. I have now re-read this book thirty years after my first read and have now given it another star. I can only attribute it to my age as that is the only thing that has changed in all those years as the book has stayed the same. Re-reads, especially after a long period of time often offer the reader another insight. I would still recommend this book (and in fact the whole series) to everyone that loves a great story and a gripping read.
Book #6 in the Kent Family Chronicles. It deals with the Civil War and exposes the death and destruction that war brings. I'm reading my way through this entire series. One thing I want to mention to potential readers is that these books were written right after the end of the Viet Nam war (mid 1970's). This was a period in American society when the U.S. (who lost the war and quickly vacated the country) was figuratively "licking its wounds". Thousands of young people had died during the Viet Nam war and the author repeatedly drives home the utter waste and brutality of war. He eviscerates the belief that war is ennobling and glorious. His characters mourn the fact that rational people didn't discuss the problems leading up to the Civil War and attempt to PREVENT a war at all costs (as they should do with ANY potential conflict). The "flag waving" evidenced in these books prior to the Civil War is indicative of the political rhetoric that Americans were exposed to prior to the Iraq invasion in 2003. Those in power who want war, who make a profit from war, will always advocate it as a necessary thing. Those who understand the destruction that war brings will always strive for peace and diplomacy. It's a profound message and I believe the author has done an excellent job weaving it into these books.
Shortly after I finished the fifth book in John Jakes' Bicentennial Series, The Warriors. This book focuses on Gideon Kent, a former Confederate soldier now struggling in the dangerous rail yards in New England, as well as honorary Kent family member Michael Boyle, worked on the transcontinental railroad. Gideon's younger brother Jeremiah also makes an auspicious appearance. Notably (or perhaps not *g*), this is the second Jakes book I will have to replace after reading it to the point of it literally falling apart. Yep, love my John Jakes!
—Bonnie
Book VI of The Kent Family Chronicles. Civil War.----------Another fabulous book in the Kent Family Chronicles. This episode in the family's saga covers the end of the Civil War, Reconstruction, expansion west, and troubles in the east. As in every family, there are scoundrels, idealists, and warriors of every kind. It had been a while since I read the previous Kent Family book, but as soon as I picked this one up, it was like meeting with old friends, and I easily slipped right back in to the family and Jakes' rhythm of storytelling and history. I LOVE these books!
—Tiffany
I read books 2-7 of this series in the last weeks of Feb 2013. While I liked the continuation of the family name through each generation, I could have done without every single important female of the Kent family being raped, sometimes repeatedly. They no sooner got power and money than they lost it, and family members ran the gamut from good to brilliant to corrupt to sleazy to fierce to insane to bloodthirsty. Lots of historical info, also, which made the story more real and interesting. But I would not recommend this series, save book #4.
—Tara Hall
