Homeland Book

At 1200 pages, this book is long--but there is really a lot of good writing in here. A great blend of history and fiction; the type John Jakes does so well.

There are two events showcased. The Pullman Strike in Chicago is the first. Joe Crown, Paul's uncle is a brewery owner,quite rich and opposed to the untions. Joe, Jr. his son, is rebelling against his father, who likes to control people. When the strike erupts in violence and one of Joe Crown's trusted employees is killed, he is furious with his son. Paul helps Joe , Jr. escape so Paul flees to the Chicago slums and Joe, Jr. heads west.

We follower three seperate lives--Paul learning photography and the early days of motion pictures. Joe, Jr flees to California but still cannot escape his sympathy with the underdog and agains is caught between owners and workers in a strike. And Joe Crown , Sr. is tryingep his marriage together, for his wife blames him for the loss of their son and their nephew, Paul.

The climatic event of the book is the Spanish American War. Joe Crown,Sr.; a Union veteran is called back to service as an officer.Paul is sent to get the first real photgraphs of an historic event--taking his camera into the war zone in Cuba. The story of Paul and his uncle's meeting in the war zone is very well done. I especially like his portrayal of Joe, Sr.--he is not an ogre or a fool--he is just resistant to change. But he does change,slowly, and endss up a more sympathetic character.

All the main characters are well done--true to life, rather than stereotypes. Mixed in are historical characters such as Teddy Roosevlet, Jane Addams, Stephen Crane, and dozens of others.

The descirptions of Paul's trip in steerage (horrid); the early days of photography and films; a good picture of Chicago in the 1890's and much, much more is waiting for you in this book.

I almost gave five stars but there were just a little too many coincidences. Also, most everything ended fairly happily for our protagonists, and I found happily ever after a bit unrealistic. I mean, everybody comes out okay?

Still one of Jakes' better books---lots of drama, good historical research, good character development and a fast and interesting story. The story kept me reading for 1200 pages--about all, it is a strong STORY. The strength of the storytelling overrides the few rough spots.