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The Hornet's Nest: A Novel
of the Revolutionary War by President Jimmy Carter (Author)
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- Hardcover: 480 pages ; Dimensions
(in inches): 1.33 x 9.22 x 6.56
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster;
(November 11, 2003)
- ISBN: 0743255429
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Book Description
The first work
of fiction by a President of the United States -- a sweeping novel
of the American South and the War of Independence
In his ambitious and deeply
rewarding novel, Jimmy Carter brings to life the Revolutionary War
as it was fought in the Deep South; it is a saga that will change
the way we think about the conflict. He reminds us that much of
the fight for independence took place in that region and that it
was a struggle of both great and small battles and of terrible
brutality, with neighbor turned against neighbor, the Indians'
support sought by both sides, and no quarter asked or given.
The Hornet's Nest follows a cast of characters and their loved
ones on both sides of this violent conflict -- including some who
are based on the author's ancestors.
At the heart of the story is
Ethan Pratt, who in 1766 moves with his wife, Epsey, from
Philadelphia to North Carolina and then to Georgia in 1771, in the
company of Quakers. On their homesteads in Georgia, Ethan and his
wife form a friendship with neighbors Kindred Morris and his wife,
Mavis. Through Kindred and his young Indian friend Newota, Ethan
learns about the frontier and the Native American tribes who are
being continually pressed farther inland by settlers. As the
eight-year war develops, Ethan and Kindred find themselves in
life-and-death combat with oppos- ing forces.
With its moving love story,
vivid action, and the suspense of a war fought with increasing
ferocity and stealth, The Hornet's Nest is historical
fiction at its best, in the tradition of such major classics as
The Last of the Mohicans.
Surprisingly
great history AND strong story!
While not a Democrat or Carter fan, I read Carter's
last book - Hour Before Light - which was wonderful and reminded
me of growing up in rural Iowa in the 60s. I love history and
this is history told through the story of a family in Georgia
during Revolutionary War.
While we are all familiar with what was happening in Boston
and Philadelphia, this is the fascinating - and well researched
- story of what was happening in the South. Highly recommend for
students of history plus just a good read!
Reviewer: A reader from Chicago, Illinois United States
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Interesting with a lot of action and detail
I liked this book and think it worth your time, regardless of
your politics.
+ Action and attention to detail.
+ Just enough moralizing to give it a substantive feel. Carter does
a great job explaining why "hearts and minds" and not committing
atrocities help a campaign win. He gives a version of the facts that
rings more true than the sugar-coated glossed over version that I
was fed in high school.
- There are lousy, stilted, and awkward sex scenes. Seems like an
editor was saying there had to be some horizontal action to make it
a novel. The book would have been a lot stronger if these had been
edited out completely. After all, this was written by Carter, not a
more, ahem, experienced president :-)
- The "story" aspects run out of steam about 2/3 of the way
through. Part of the problem is that we all know who won the war.
Also, some of the more interesting characters are killed off with a
lot of book left to go.
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Reviewer:
A reader from San Diego, CA United States
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