As always, though, his work seems well researched and, although obviously fiction, is probably more reflective of reality than much of what passes for official histories. Jakes continues to be unsparing in his portraits of human nature as he tells the story of 'how the west was won', and this could cause some to have a negative view of this story, especially those of a righteous bent. If, like me, you love well developed charters in a historical setting, then you will still find this book very enjoyable. This 3rd book is essentially the story of Charles Main and his life 'out west'. Ditto if you are looking for a lot more insight into the main characters of the first books. If, like some, you are interested in the stories from the civil war aspect, then the third will disappoint.

If so, how you will find this third book depends on why you were reading the first two. Author tour major ad/promo.I'm assuming that if you're thinking of reading book three, it means you've made it through the epic journey's that are books 1 and 2. Chock-full of fascinating period detail, his captivating story brings to life the sounds, smells and tastes of turn-of-the-century America in a manner comparable to Michener's Hawaii and Doctorow's Ragtime.

Jakes portrays the Crowns, leading civic figures in Chicago, moving among a crowd of influential and important people, including Jane Addams, Teddy Roosevelt and Eugene Debs. Pauli unexpectedly falls in love with Julie Vanderhoff, strong-willed daughter of a Chicago meat-packing millionaire who hates foreigners, further complicating the drama. Surviving a long, perilous journey, Pauli meets his American relatives, among them Aunt Ilsa, whose progressive views cause almost as much friction in the family as eldest son Joe Jr.'s alliance with the socialist labor movement. When his consumptive aunt dies, the orphaned Pauli books steerage to America, hoping to be reunited with his wealthy uncle, Joseph Crown, who fought for the Union Army and now heads a brewery empire in Chicago. The bestselling author of North and South returns with a new first-rate historical series that begins in 1890s Berlin, where young Pauli Kroner ekes out a living as a kitchen helper in a posh hotel.

Heaven and hell john jakes