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Charleston is reviewed on bookreporter.com.
Charleston is reviewed by Tom Linthicum of the Baltimore Sun.
American Dreams is reviewed by Patricia Ann Jones on the Business Know How web site.
American Dreams is reviewed by Robert C. Jones on the BookPage web site.
Additional criticism and review of John Jakes's works can be found at your local public library.
The following reviews can be accessed online only by an individual who has a current library card through this address.
North and South.
Critic: Mel Watkins.
The New York Times Book Review, March 7, 1982, p. 24.
"North and South is John Jakes's first novel since he completed his immensely popular The Kent Family Chronicles. Although as his first hard-cover publication this novel represents something of a departure for Mr. Jakes, it remains solidly within the historical fiction genre of his previous work…"
"John Jakes: Overview."
Critic: Christopher Swann.
Contemporary Popular Writers, edited by Dave Mote, St. James Press, 1997.
"Beginning as a writer of pulp Western novels and science fiction tales, John Jakes earned widespread fame with his historical fiction, which includes the American Bicentennial Series and his North and South trilogy. The thorough research, vivid prose, and lively plots of these works have gained much praise for Jakes from readers and critics alike, making him…"
"John Jakes: Overview."
Critic: Gary Westfahl.
St. James Guide to Fantasy Writers, edited by David Pringle, St. James Press, 1996.
"Today, John Jakes is a thoroughly respectable author who writes articles for Parade magazine extolling the virtues of libraries and who, as a kind of all-American James A. Michener, generates vast historical epics glamorizing and mythologizing America's past by describing fictional families whose members conveniently happen to meet the legends of American history or conveniently happen to participate in its major events. One could argue such novels are…"
"John Jakes: Overview."
Critic: Carl B. Yoke.
St. James Guide to Science Fiction Writers, 4th ed., edited by Jay P. Pederson, St. James Press, 1996.
"Unfortunately, as far as his science fiction writing is concerned, John Jakes is best known for creating Brak the Barbarian. This is not to demean the Brak stories but rather to rue the fact that Jakes has written several other excellent novels which have gone virtually unnoticed…"
"John Jakes: Overview."
Critic: Sobhana Rowland.
Twentieth-Century Romance & Historical Writers, 3rd ed., edited by Aruna Vasudevan, St. James Press, 1994.
"Few writers have succeeded in popularizing the American Civil War as John Jakes has. He has now joined the ranks of the likes of Margaret Mitchell and James A. Michener in re-creating a highly evocative portrayal of a particular period of history through the eyes of memorable characters. Jakes is probably best known…"
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