Savannah {or} a Gift for Mr. Lincoln [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio CD]

John Jakes (Author), Dylan Baker (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 4, 2004

Georgia, 1864: Sherman’s army marches inexorably 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 who positively exudes Dickensian wickedness; a fast-talking, piano-playing reporter from New York; a pair of thwarted young lovers; a raffish Indiana cavalryman; a valiant former slave who practices birdcalls with surprising results; and a whole carpet-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.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The final leg of Sherman's march from Atlanta to Savannah provides the backdrop for Jakes's latest Civil War novel (after Charleston), focusing mostly on the fate of a comely widow. Sara Lester is the owner of the magnificent plantation Silvergrass, but her continued possession of the place is threatened on two fronts: by the Union soldiers steadily advancing on Savannah ("a gift for Mr. Lincoln") and by corrupt Judge Drewgood, who pressures her to sell the property. When the retreating Confederate army lays waste to Silvergrass, Sara and her feisty 12-year-old daughter, Hattie, take refuge with Sara's best friend, Miss Vastly Rohrschamp. Hardly are they settled at Vastly's house in Savannah when a band of rogue Union soldiers breaks in and wreaks havoc. Thankfully, an unlikely rescuer comes to their aid: Stephen Hopewell, a journalist traveling with the Union Army. Stephen's subsequent wooing of Sara is pleasing, but other story lines are contrived: an African-American slave named Zip attaches himself to a Union officer and comes to his aid, and Hattie befriends Tecumseh Sherman after an unfortunate encounter with the Union leader in downtown Savannah. Jakes continues to explore the nooks and crannies of American life during the Civil War, and while this isn't one of his best efforts, it's an enjoyably lighthearted take on an otherwise underexplored stretch of Sherman's march.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

It is the winter of 1864, and the port city of Savannah has a bad case of the shakes. Union general William T. Sherman has burned Atlanta, and his two massive columns are "making Georgia howl" as they burn or seize anything of military or economic value in their relentless march to the sea. On the flanks of the army are "bummers," who act as freelance looters and send chills down the spines of virtuous Southern women. Jakes, the hugely popular author of historical novels, has emphasized the Civil War period in his writing for more than 20 years. This time he effectively captures the tensions, hatred, and even a curious nobility as a dying civilization tries to stand against an irresistible force. Although Jakes occasionally takes liberties with historical facts, he does re-create the spirit of the times, in the process telling a whopping good story. His characters, both fictional and historical, are well drawn, and his protagonist, a plucky 12-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. Jay Freeman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio; Abridged edition (October 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743533380
• ISBN-13: 978-0743533386
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,363,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not his best, but good entertainment nonetheless, October 22, 2004

By 

Ratmammy "The Ratmammy" (Ratmammy's Town, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Savannah or A Gift For Mr Lincoln (Hardcover)

SAVANNAH or A GIFT FOR MR. LINCOLN by John Jakes
October 22, 2004

I've read a number of books by John Jakes, and this one is definitely going to be remembered as my least favorite. John Jakes is known for his epic-like historical novels that have almost soap-opera-ish story lines, but they are great entertainment and always are known for name-dropping. And while SAVANNAH does include a few famous historical characters, for the most part it is does not compare to the likes of THE KENT FAMILY CHRONICLES or the NORTH AND SOUTH trilogy.

SAVANNAH is a much simpler novel, a story focusing on several people living in the South at the height of the Civil War. It takes place in this famous town of Georgia, and reads pretty much like a Young Adult novel, which I suspect, was intentional. This story line leads to Christmas, and one can imagine that Jakes wanted this book to be read by young and old alike.

One of the main characters is Harriet, a precocious twelve-year old who is outspoken and head strong. She is an endearing character, stands out and helps makes the novel interesting. In fact, the characters are what kept me reading. Jakes has a talent for creating characters that are likeable, and he uses them to tell his stories that are right out of the history books. This book would have been so much better if it were geared towards adults, but it is possible Jakes wanted to try something different. I am not sorry for having read SAVANNAH, but it is not a book I would highly recommend except for the most ardent fan.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A different viewpoint on this book, June 11, 2005

By 

Robert C. Rogers (Rincon, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Savannah or A Gift For Mr Lincoln (Hardcover)

I do not review this book as a fan of John Jakes, but as a fan of Savannah. I live just outside of Savannah, and I am a student of history. This is the first John Jakes novel I have read, but I know much about the history of the area.
I found the book extremely accurate in the historical details of Christmas 1864 in Savannah. I would agree with the other reviewers that the plot was not too complex, although in fairness to Mr. Jakes, the plot does have some twists and surprises, especially in what happens to Tybee Jo and an ex-slave named Zip. The book may have been written for a young audience, particularly with the young boy and girl featured so prominently in the story, and the lack of profanity in the book, but I'm 47 years old, and I found the story very enjoyable. There is a lot of humor, such as the feisty little girl, Hattie, who dares to kick the shins of General Sherman. I read the book over the Christmas holidays, which was perfect for the season.
I would recommend this book for anybody who wants a clean historical novel about the South, or desires an entertaining read over the Christmas holidays.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The wages of war during a holiday season, October 25, 2004

By 

Corinne H. Smith (Athol, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Savannah or A Gift For Mr Lincoln (Hardcover)

Georgia, November 1864. Sherman's Army has taken Atlanta and is continuing its march to the sea, aiming for Savannah. Residents of the area prepare for the worst, based on the stories and rumors they've heard of the atrocies caused by the Union forces. Twelve-year-old Hattie Lester and her mother Sara live alone on their rice plantation, now that the slaves are gone and Ladron Lester was lost in the war. Hattie is a tomboy and a spit-fire in her own right, and she can often be seen leading her pig Amelia around on a leash. Hattie is convinced that she'll reach out and kick any Yankee that tries to come near her. (And she eventually does!) Much of this story follows Hattie and her mother as they deal with their situation.

Along the way we meet other representative characters who interact with the Lesters and with each other. Legrand Parmenter is a neighbor and friend to Hattie who leaves to join the fight. Captain Stephen Hopewell is a reporter attached to the Union army, originally from New York state. Zip is a newly-released slave who follows the army ranks. Tybee Jo Swett is a prisoner released from the capital city of Milledgeville, and he makes his way back to Savannah to finish his business. Alpheus Winks is a Union sergeant from Putnam County, Indiana, whose small band of men "forage liberally" throughout the countryside. Isaiah Flegg is a New Jersey carpetbagger who kidnaps blacks and ships them north to substitute for Union men choosing not to fight. The Drewgoods are relatives of the Lesters who deem themselves in a higher class. And then there's General William Tecumseh Sherman himself, who makes a few appearances and interactions of his own.

"Savannah" is not as long or as detailed as past Jakes volumes, and it is not the best book he's ever written. It's still worthy of reading, though, especially since it highlights a portion of our history that I suspect is unfamiliar to many of us. And it will surprise those readers who believe the same stories and rumors that Hattie and her mother heard before encountering the Yankees themselves.