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Savannah (Abridged): Or a Gift for Mr. Lincoln Audiobook
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(2.99) - 689 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The author of sixteen consecutive New York Times bestsellers sets his sights on the jewel of the South—Savannah—and brings it to life in his inimitable style.
Georgia, 1864. Sherman's army marches from Atlanta to the sea. In its path, the charming old city of Savannah, where the Lester ladies—attractive widowed Sara and her feisty twelve-year-old daughter Hattie—struggle to save the family rice plantation. When Sherman offers the conquered city to President Lincoln as a "Christmas gift," Hattie and the feared general find themselves on a collision course that will astonish both of them.
In this rousing new tale, the "godfather of the historical novel" (Los Angeles Times) tells a story of battlefield danger, wartime romance, and indomitable courage. The rich cast of characters includes a corrupt judge; a fast-talking, piano-playing reporter from New York; a pair of thwarted young lovers; a raffish Indiana cavalryman; a valiant former slave; and a whole bagful of rascals, rebels, and real soldiers who marched with Sherman.
Together they bring to life an almost-forgotten moment in the Civil War: a season of simmering hostilities, rising hopes, and empty stockings—perhaps the most strife-torn yet heartwarming Christmas in all of American history.
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"This was a great book to read after The Kent Family Chronicles #5 - The Titans. (It was an accident, but a good one) In the Titans, I believe Lincoln had just been elected and the war had just gotten off to a good start. This book isn't part of the Kent Family Chronicles, but it is about Sherman's ravaging the country, burning Atlanta Georgia, and marching on to take over Savannah. This all happened right at Christmas time, so someone suggested that Sherman offer Savannah to President Lincoln as a Christmas present. The writing is excellent and gives a good feel for the horrors of the war. It was a great addition to the Kent Family Chronicles between books 5 and 6."
— Marilyn (5 out of 5 stars)
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“A charming, light, old-fashioned, Dickensian morality play with golden-curled heroines and villains so evil they do everything but twirl their mustaches…Jakes is a master of the genre and is clearly having fun with this little gem…[He] entertains and informs as he weaves historical tidbits into the story.”
— Cleveland Plain Dealer -
“A compelling picture of the life of the Southerners as the war was grinding to its end: their attitudes, privations, and spirit…Jakes [breathes] life into an important bit of history.”
— Indianapolis Star -
“Readers of John Jakes know that he is America’s most successful and prolific historical novelist and that he is no stranger to the sound and fury of America’s Civil War…Savannah is a delightful Christmas story…Don’t let the spare style fool you; Jakes’ novel is supported by wide-ranging historical research and personal observation. Savannah would also make a fine Christmas film.”
— Charleston Post and Courier -
“[Jakes] effectively captures the tensions, hatred, and even a curious nobility as a dying civilization tries to stand against an irresistible force…He re-creates the spirit of the times, in the process of telling a whopping good story. His characters, both fictional and historical, are well drawn, and his protagonist, a plucky twelve-year-old girl, Hattie Lester, is a memorable creation. The result is a fine work of popular historical fiction, and even Civil War ‘purists’ should find it absorbing fun.”
— Library Journal
Savannah Listener Reviews
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" This is an amazing Christmas story that takes a break from a brutal war and devastation. The characters are memorable and you get a look at the humanity on both sides of the U.S. Civil War in the middle of suffering and brutality. I love the tenacity of the main characters, Sara and her daughter, Hattie. I recommend it. "
— Dianne, 2/20/2014 -
" Read this book just prior to a vacation to Savannah. I love reading historical novels and having the setting in Savannah was a plus. Part of the story takes place on Tybee Island where we stayed, it was fun to walk around the city and place the story. The story itself is about a young girl with the gumption to stand up to General Sherman. "
— Ginny, 2/19/2014 -
" A fictionalized version of Sherman's arrival in Savannah. Focuses on one Southern family greatly affected. Didn't seem up to Johnn Jakes' usual good historical fiction. "
— Aldafan, 2/11/2014 -
" SUMMER READING CLUB: "General Sherman marched to the Atlantic Ocean through Savannah during the Civil War. His army caused great destruction to the south by burning and looting. the autor creates a fictional offset about a little girl, Hattie, that detaches you from all the misery." -Ruth Ellen Carlsen "
— Valley, 1/18/2014 -
" It was ok. I like many of his other books better. Quick read. "
— Barb, 1/14/2014 -
" We 'listened to this on our way to the Outer Banks, NC from Michigan. It was okay....but not something I would recommend. That said; My partner in crime loved it....but this is my review so I'm sticking with just okay. "
— MavaMarie, 1/12/2014 -
" I have enjoyed most of the John Jakes books that I've read. However, this one seemed mujch more fiction than historicall. A good light read for a busy time of year (Christmas season). "
— Diane, 1/8/2014 -
" Pretty lame - used to really like this author. I did learn some things about the Civil war, but not enough to justify it. "
— Lori, 1/8/2014 -
" Told primarily from the POV of a young woman resident of Savannah as Sherman's army approaches. This is more of a relationship novel, rather than an action story. "
— Tom, 10/13/2013 -
" I read it because I love the city of Savannah. But the book is too shallow for my tastes. "
— Rick, 7/12/2013 -
" Good historical fiction. I wish I could follow the characters further but I understand the significance of focusing on that interlude in Savannah's history. I love the city of Savannah. "
— Collette, 6/20/2013 -
" This book was quite interesting and yet fairly wordy. It gives a very good perspective of personal life in the south during the Civil War, one of which is rarely seen in typical American History class. "
— Michael, 6/6/2013 -
" I enjoyed the book but then I find "Professor Jakes" to be a great historian and great story teller. "
— Anthony, 5/23/2013 -
" Loved this book. Gave me a better insight to my most famous relative, William T. Sherman. This showed what gumption it took to put an end to the Civil War. Read this sometime in 2011. After reading North and South trilogy. "
— Stephanie, 1/19/2013 -
" Good story, and goes along well with Charleston - a similar novel about a similar city. Not the best Jakes book I read, and I was disappointed considering how intriguing and beautiful Savannah really is. Still a good book and very entertaining. "
— Joe, 12/31/2012 -
" Sherman's Christmas, 1864 gift to Lincoln of the city of Savannah after "disappearing" after burning of Atlanta. "
— Jerry, 12/11/2012 -
" I didn't finish it. Didn't capture my interest in the first chapter "
— Lorna, 9/5/2012 -
" I had hoped for a bit more from John Jakes, whose Kent Family Chronicles enthralled me many years ago. This seemed to be a "by the numbers" sort of book, and was a disappointment. "
— Graceann, 7/29/2012 -
" Enjoyed the book, but a light read for John Jake authors "
— Julie, 6/5/2012 -
" Listened to audio while driving. Good story "
— Dave, 2/17/2012 -
" Really unusual for John Jakes to write a Christmas story. Very well done and with a history lesson as a bonus. "
— Bill, 1/23/2012 -
" Read like a Nicholas Sparks novel with historical events intermixed. "
— Christy, 1/10/2012 -
" Not my favorite John Jakes book, but good, and a quick read. "
— Paula, 12/10/2011 -
" Not one of his best, but an easy read "
— cristina, 11/29/2011 -
" Civil War story through eyes of young girl. Interesting, new look at Gen. William T. Sherman. "
— Barbara, 5/24/2011 -
" Tape, "
— Dawn, 1/20/2011 -
" Pretty lame - used to really like this author. I did learn some things about the Civil war, but not enough to justify it. "
— Lori, 10/5/2010 -
" Told primarily from the POV of a young woman resident of Savannah as Sherman's army approaches. This is more of a relationship novel, rather than an action story. "
— Tom, 9/21/2010 -
" enjoyed this historical fiction story but not as much as the earlier John Jakes books. Maybe it's because I was much younger, and more of a romantic, when I read "North and South" and the rest of the series! :-) <br/>Anyway, still a good story. "
— Carolyn, 7/1/2010 -
" I read it because I love the city of Savannah. But the book is too shallow for my tastes. "
— Rick, 5/31/2010 -
" I have enjoyed most of the John Jakes books that I've read. However, this one seemed mujch more fiction than historicall. A good light read for a busy time of year (Christmas season). "
— Diane, 12/1/2009 -
" Own <br/>This book must have been intended for teens to read. The characters seemed to be introduced as an after thought. The book included graphics which detracted from the experience. "
— Deb, 10/19/2009 -
" We 'listened to this on our way to the Outer Banks, NC from Michigan. It was okay....but not something I would recommend. That said; My partner in crime loved it....but this is my review so I'm sticking with just okay. "
— MavaMarie, 10/18/2009 -
" Read like a Nicholas Sparks novel with historical events intermixed. "
— Christy, 10/8/2009 -
" I love Jakes' epics. I've read them all and loved them. As Sherman's army marches from Atlanta to the sea in 1864, the city of Savannah lies directly in its path, threatening the livelihood of widow Sara Lester and her twelve-year-old daughter Hattie, who struggle to save the family plantation. "
— Sarah, 9/30/2009 -
" Not one of his best, but an easy read "
— cristina, 9/9/2009 -
" A fictionalized version of Sherman's arrival in Savannah. Focuses on one Southern family greatly affected. Didn't seem up to Johnn Jakes' usual good historical fiction. "
— Aldafan, 8/13/2009 -
" Civil War story through eyes of young girl. Interesting, new look at Gen. William T. Sherman. "
— Barbara, 7/28/2009 -
" Liked it, but not as epic as his previous books. "
— Cheryl, 7/22/2009
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 John Jakes
Dylan Baker is an American stage, screen, and television actor. He attended Georgetown Prep and William and Mary College before earning his BFA at Southern Methodist University, where his passion for acting was ignited with numerous stage roles. Later refining his talents at Yale’s School of Drama, Baker turned professional with big screen roles in movies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Delirious, and Love Potion No. 9. His audiobook narration has won him eleven AudioFile Earphones Awards.