Helpful Score: 1
I completely loved this book and I reccomend it to anyone.
Helpful Score: 1
Another excellent John Jakes epic.
Helpful Score: 1
If there were 8 stars to show my approval, it still wouldn't be enough. John Jakes' riveting manner of telling this story about a young immigrant, Pauli Kroner, coming to America from Germany and why it was necessary is a fascinating journey. This is almost 1200 pages of John Jakes at his usual excellent storytelling. If you like stories which go on for more than one generation, this is for you. You will live right with Pauli and experience what he experienced as he moved from penniless immigrant to a force to be reconned with in the "moving picture" industry.
From The New York Times Book Review: "Pick up Homaland and read a couple of chapters and you'll very soon discover why John Jakes sells a lot of books. He is, quite simply, a master of the ancient art of storytelling." Also there is so much history in this book, it's almost, if not, an historical novel. Be prepared for a grand ride and many nights of reading.
From The New York Times Book Review: "Pick up Homaland and read a couple of chapters and you'll very soon discover why John Jakes sells a lot of books. He is, quite simply, a master of the ancient art of storytelling." Also there is so much history in this book, it's almost, if not, an historical novel. Be prepared for a grand ride and many nights of reading.
This is one of my favorite books. It inspired me to learn German. I have reread this book several times.
In 1892, an orphaned German teenager, Pauli, comes to America to live with his uncle's family in Chicago. He arrives with the typical immigrant's vision of a flawless new homeland. During the next 10 years he experiences firsthand labor strife; poverty, greed, and crime in the city's slums; and suffering in the Cuban battlefields of 1898. Increasingly, his idealistic picture of the country changes until the end of the book when he sees his new homeland as a place where "men are free." Likewise, the three-dimensional main characters have strengths and weaknesses, good points and faults. Theodore Roosevelt, Eugene Debs, Thomas Edison, Clara Barton, and Jane Addams make their appearances, and readers witness the growing labor-union movement, the women's-rights struggle, national expansionism, and the beginning of the moving-picture industry.
A German immigrant's experiences in America circa 1890-1900; a good read with historic events added.
Story of the Crown family of Chicago from 1890-1900.Huge book- 1170 pgs!
Painless history of USA in 1890s and an engaging story of a German emigrant family.
One of the best books I've ever read!
This historical fiction surrounds the immigrants who settled in the Chicago area.
I found the book to draw me back to it's pages each time I laid it down . All of the characters were compelling, and I learned some interesting history of the times as I progressed thru the book.
Another modern day historical classic!
A German immigrant, but a bold, ambitious man driven by a powerful vision. He rises from a penniless new comer to pioneer newsreel camerman. He records war, strikes, scandals and heartbreak in his chosen country. Quite an epic story! A must for John Jakes readers!
I am 84 years old,have read all my life. This is one of the ten best books I have read,
This is the first of 2 volumes of the Crown family. It begins in Germany in 1891 and brings to life an epic saga of the American immigrant experience. It covers the period of the Pullman Strike in Chicago through the Spanish-American War. This is a well written and fast moving historical novel.
Marylou S. (TheLadyOnTheHill) -
Internationally acclaimed bestselling author John Jakes brings to life an epic saga of the American immigrant experience in this story of a family dynasty in turmoil at the dawn of a new century. From the uncontrolled chaos of Chicago's infamous Pullman Strike, to the birth of the moving picture, and the bloody carnage of the Spanish-American War, the Crown family raced with the currents of a changing world. The Crownfamily saga begins........
Bestselling epic sage of the American immigrant experience in this story of a family dynasty in turmoil at the dawn of a new century. From the uncontrolled chaoes of Chicago's infamous Pullman Strike, to the birth of the moving picture and the bloody carnage of the Spanish American War, the Crown family raced with thecurrents of a changing world - and thier own limitless desires and claimed America as their own.
Enjoyed the historical fiction from 1890 - 1900.
Excellent writer -- John Jakes -- maybe the best! Paints elaborate mental pictures; you become a part of the story. Easy to read.
A good start to the series.
