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On Secret Service Audiobook
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(3.02) - 669 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
John Jakes, the author of over 60 books, including the eight-part Kent Family Chronicles, The North and South trilogy, and innumerable short stories of the American West, returns to the Civil War in the engrossing On Secret Service. The story of a war within a war on various levels—the North v. the South, the Union's Pinkerton Detective Agency v. the Confederacy's agent provocateurs, youthful idealism v. youthful lust—On Secret Service chronicles the lives and times of four young Americans, from the war's early tremors in January 1861, through its bloody conclusion, Lincoln's assassination, and John Wilkes Booth's murder in May 1865. "Jakes combines encyclopedic command of historical fact with unmatched storytelling. Carefully researched and filled with colorful characters who move in an authentic Washington atmosphere."—Booklist
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"Difficult read for me ... hard to keep all the characters straight. However, if this historically 'correct' regarding the beginnings of the Secret Service -- it was very enlightening. Not sorry I read this. Would make for an interesting movie."
— Maureen (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“On Secret Service draws you back into the Civil War and the wrenching days preceding Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. The factual details are simply astonishing: You walk the muddy streets, smell the acrid smoke of battlefields, and experience firsthand the inner workings of a vast conspiracy.”
— Patricia Cornwell -
“The author saves the best for last in dealing with Lincoln’s assassination, bringing the drama to life by giving each of his protagonists a crucial role as the conspiracy unfolds with expert pacing and suspense. Jakes uncovers the little-known history of espionage and counterespionage during the War Between the States with his signature combination of meticulous research and epic narrative.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Gripping, exciting, and historically accurate…A very good book.”
— Library Journal -
“An absorbing study of how human affairs stubbornly fall outside the simplistic categories of ‘right’ and ‘wrong.’”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“John Jakes has written another fine historical novel about his favorite period—the Civil War…Jakes is a wonderful storyteller, mixing fiction with fact and capturing the feel and flavor of that turbulent time.”
— Sunday Oklahoman -
“Perhaps no author has made popularized American history more his own province than John Jakes…[He] does the invaluable service of any historical writer in transforming history’s dusty pages into a living account. An excellent job of conveying the horror of that war now dimmed by the passage of the years.”
— Florida Times-Union
On Secret Service Listener Reviews
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" Story of the FBI's origins in the Civil War -- compelling characters and story line. "
— Krista, 1/28/2014 -
" I love novels that I can easily picture as films, and this piece is definitely one of them. All the action that follows within the era just keep the book exciting! Also, the "forbidden love" discovered within the lives of the characters is what really kept me entertained! As a plus, I felt it was really faithful to the time and place it was set in. "
— Bianca, 1/25/2014 -
" I love most of John Jakes' books and am totally hooked on Civil War period novels. This was disappointing though because it read more like a history book and I never really felt connected to the characters or really cared what happened to them. It seemed promising though, about a spy from the north crossing enemy lines and of course falling in love with the beautiful southern bell but it was actually pretty boring. "
— Erin, 1/9/2014 -
" john jakes doesnt change much "
— Amy, 1/5/2014 -
" American Civil War,historical fiction,Secret Service "
— Wisteria, 1/2/2014 -
" Entertaining read. Will definitely have to check out some more John jakes. "
— Jake, 12/19/2013 -
" Jakes is such a good writer. I appreciated his different view of how the Civil War affected civilians. "
— Marianne, 12/3/2013 -
" One of the best examples of developing a character you can find. Jakes does an amazing job of making the reader feel what the protagonist is experiencing over a time frame of several years. "
— J.J., 11/18/2013 -
" Did not enjoy this book as much as the other John Jakes books. "
— Terrie, 11/2/2013 -
" I liked Jakes' book The Bastard about the American revolution, but this book is generic. The characters seem types not individuals, and the novel is filled with cliche, genre descriptions. Yes, he can plot rather well, but the characters are not particularly vivid or complex. "
— Craig, 10/14/2013 -
" Interesting reading. Diffeent story line. Another John Jakes "goodie". "
— Pat, 9/22/2013 -
" I like John Jakes books. THey are a way of learning about history while a fictional character lives the historical event. For some reason though this book isn't as much fun as his others. It is about the formation of the Pinkertons and takes place during the Civil War. "
— Susan, 5/28/2013 -
" John Jakes is a master of weaving historical facts and people into an accurate rendition, albeit, in a fictional account. Read this book. You will have search for it or download to your reader. "
— Anthony, 5/3/2013 -
" Great look at the possible intrigue during the civil war. Reminds me of the current climate in this country. "
— Gary, 3/12/2013 -
" Really fascinating read, learned a lot about the beginning of the secret service! "
— Christina, 11/30/2012 -
" Interesting historical fiction about times during the Civil War. "
— Mary, 1/22/2012 -
" I just couldn't get into this like I did with North & South, which is surprising given my fascination with the Pinkertons. But I just didn't care all that much about the characters. "
— Michelle, 12/18/2011 -
" Jakes again uses the Civil War as his subject matter. This time the beginnings of the Secret service and spying between the North and South in Washington. Good detail, but not his best novel. "
— Ginny, 10/5/2011 -
" Story of the FBI's origins in the Civil War -- compelling characters and story line. "
— Krista, 3/15/2011 -
" A historical novel concerning espionage during the Civil War. <br/>Similar to William Safire's Freedom. Good story. <br/> "
— Chuck, 4/10/2010 -
" Interesting reading. Diffeent story line. Another John Jakes "goodie". "
— Pat, 12/3/2009 -
" Did not enjoy this book as much as the other John Jakes books. "
— Terrie, 11/4/2009 -
" <br/>Interesting historical fiction about times during the Civil War. "
— Mary, 8/29/2009 -
" Historical fiction about spies during the Civil War. A choppy script that really didn't capture the moment or the essense of war for me. <br/> <br/>Jakes describes some of his research in the last few pages of the novel. You could skip this one. "
— Janette, 3/11/2009 -
" Jakes again uses the Civil War as his subject matter. This time the beginnings of the Secret service and spying between the North and South in Washington. Good detail, but not his best novel. "
— Ginny, 9/2/2008 -
" American Civil War,historical fiction,Secret Service "
— Wisteria, 7/23/2008 -
" I just couldn't get into this like I did with North & South, which is surprising given my fascination with the Pinkertons. But I just didn't care all that much about the characters. "
— Michelle, 4/9/2008
About John Jakes
John Jakes is the bestselling author of Charleston, the eight-volume Kent Family Chronicles, the North and South trilogy, California Gold, and others. He has received a number of awards and accolades for his achievements as a writer, most notably a Cooper Medal from the Thomas Cooper Library and a Career Achievement Award from the South Carolina Humanities Association. He is a member of the Authors Guild, the Dramatists Guild, and serves on the board of the Authors Guild Foundation. A graduate of DePauw and Ohio State universities, Jakes currently lives in South Carolina and Florida.
About Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer is an AudioFile Earphones Award winner, a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, and recipient of a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award. He is also an actor and director in the Washington, DC, area, where he is active in the area’s theater scene and has appeared in productions at the Shakespeare Theatre, the Kennedy Center, and Theater J.