Customer Reviews

Savannah Grey: A Tale of Antebellum Georgia

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you're looking for a book that combines historic accuracy, a fascinating plot and characters you care about then Savannah Grey is for you. The history as told in this novel is real. Few readers will be able to distinguish the fictional characters from the historic characters. This is a page turner that you will wish would never end. I recommend it very highly.

Hugh T. Harrington

author of: "Civil War Milledgeville, Tales From the Confederate Capital of Georgia," "Remembering Milledgeville, Historic Tales From Georgia's Antebellum Capital" and "More Milledgeville Memories."

Having artfully set up the historical context of his tale, Jim Jordan progresses with a wonderful description of life in Savannah prior to the Civil War.

By the end of the story, we KNOW those people and we CARE about what becomes of them. We've 'seen' the city and we find it beautiful. We shake our heads at some of their foibles and antics; we admire their strong characters and their high standards. Sometimes, we know their confusion. In fact, we think we know so much about these lively characters that we're sure we must have been there, ourselves.

So carefully is the story told that we discern no judgement of 'right and wrong' in the author but are only made aware of the very real humanity of all involved in Southern plantation life in those years. Perhaps it will surprise readers how much the North actually meant to the South and how closely they were intertwined in terms of family ties, education, commerce and culture. If we didn't understand it before, we learn how deep the wrench war between the North and the South would become to both sides.

Now we just want to know what happened to all of them, our old friends, after the book ends! Hopefully, Mr. Jordan will pick up the threads in his next book.

Best historical fiction novel to come along since Eugenia Price and her triologies on the antelbellum South. A historical feast of facts, written with incredible sensitivity and depth, and a story line that is a page turner set in none other than beautiful Savannah and its river reach plantations. Wonderful ! Charles Elliott

This was a compelling historical fiction. The story was captivating and brought the time period to life. I was impressed by the amount of historical detail and by the author's ability to create such engaging characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Savannah or wants to learn about its history.

Savannah Grey by Jim Jordan is a wonderful read. The author has created an exciting storyline with powerful characters all tightly woven into the history of pre-Civil War Savannah, Ga.

The reader becomes emotionally involved with the characters and feels the joy and sorrow of their daily lives while also learning about the life and politics of the time.

Savannah Grey takes you back to one of the most tumultuous times in our country's history and gives you a real glimpse of what life was like during that time.

After reading this book, I felt that I was living in the mid-1800's in Savannah. I walked the streets and around the beautiful squares with the characters in Savannah Grey. Mr. Jordan describes a difficult time in the history of Savannah and leaves the reader guessing as to what the future will bring. His depiction of his characters is realistic--the reader cares about their fate!

Savannah Grey immediately engages the reader's interest and imagination. Because of comprehensive character development, one can rarely separate the fictional from the non-fictional characters in this superlative historical novel. Fortunately, an appendix lists the historic characters by last name, first name, and brief description; however, the excitement is finishing the novel PRIOR TO checking this list!

A particular strength of this novel is the empathetic, balanced perspective--despite the novel's having "Savannah" in the title--between Southern and Northern views. In addition, Jim Jordan's inclusion of architectural details is educational and fascinating. My next visit to Savannah will be with notes gleaned from the book to view with new insight the historic homes and architectural styles as described in Savannah Grey.

A five-star first effort, leaving the reader with eager anticipation and impatience for Jim Jordan's next novel!

I got this from the library because of my fascination with Savannah, GA. That is probably the only reason that I kept with it. The plot centers around a fictional family interacting with real historical characters in early to mid 1800s Savannah.

I don't mind historical fiction when the fictional characters are minor and create a better story as in Jeff Shaara's books, however, here the made-up characters actually influence the decisions and actions of some of the real individuals. One instance is when Andrew, the slave of the central subject, Joseph McBain, saves the life of the real-life individual Charles Lamar aboard the tragedy of the Pulaski sinking.

The dialog is shallow. The characters talk in the same manner when they are in their 40s that they did as young children, still putting their arms around each other saying "best friends forever."

The storyline finally picked up around page 300, but the ending was very odd and we are left open with no closure. I don't mean just happy, good-ending closure either. The book just ends on a random note that didn't really make much sense.

On the plus side, I did learn some things about the history of Savannah that I hadn't learned before.

This book held my attention from the first page and took me on a wonderful journey. The characters became part of my life. I laughed, I cried and I hated for the book to end! I could see the places the characters lived and visited. I felt I was there with them! All my senses were acknowledged and entertained. The book combines all favorite subjects: the Old South, Southern History and Southern Fiction!! I can't wait for the sequel!

Before a recent trip to Savannah-my first- I wanted to get a feel for the history of the place. I went to Amazon and noticed a new book called"SAVANNAH GREY". The write-up looked interesting and I ordered it.

It turned out to be a very lucky choice.The book paints a picture of old Savannah that I don't think I could have gotten anywhere else.It does so through a fabulous story with real and fictional characters who come to life with the first page and grow on you up to the explosive ending. I did not want the book to end.I'll be waiting for the sequel.