Customer Reviews

On Secret Service

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was only in grade school when North and South and the other chapters in Jakes' Civil War trilogy (Love & War and Heaven & Hell) were television events that would draw the older members of my family around the television--like campers around a fire listening to a great storyteller. My memories of plot and characters have since faded, but to the day I have always associated John Jakes with the Civil War. When I saw that Jakes had written a new Civil War novel I was compelled to pick it up. Absolutely epic! Jakes recreated a world that has always fascinated me, and come to think of it - it was Jakes who inspired my interest so many years ago. Detailed down to the smell, Jakes captures lightning bugs of emotion, anguish, tragedy and romance, only to have them released for his readers with the turn of each successive page. Most impressive to me was that even though the story was set on familiar ground, the perspective offered was one I had yet to experience. I am shocked that The Pinkertons and the original Secret Service have had as little historic exposure as they have. I had no idea the NY riots even took place, and watching them unfold was bearing witness to a few clouds of deception being revved up into a hurricane of the darkest human emotion and behavior.

Fantastic story! A Must Read! Highly Recommended!

Having devoured John Jakes's American series, the North and South trilogy and The Crown Family Saga, I couldn't wait to read his latest book, On Secret Service. And this furthur illustrated to me why I consider John Jakes to be one of my favorite historical writers as he once again delivered to me a first rate reading experience.

As he has done in his previous books, Jakes introduces us to two fictional characters who are involved with notable and famous people as they embark on adventures and participate in historical events. The book begins in Washington and then we, as readers, witness some of the battles of the Civil War, to the beginnings of the Secret Service. And eventhough we may know the climax of the book, it is getting there that is most fascinating.

This is a large book filled with an unforgettable cast of charatcers, during a momentous time in American history. I suggest you have lots of time to read when you begin this book. You won't be able to put it down.

I'd never read a John Jakes novel before, but when I saw this in the bookstore I figured it was about time. What a treat! Not only did the characters and story draw me in and keep me turning the pages until way past my bedtime, but the way the history is portrayed is great--so much information woven in so skillfully that you don't even realize what you've learned until you've finished. The machinations of the spies are as devious as Cold War Berlin. The NYC draft riot chapter blew me away. I've lived in New York all my life, and somehow this subject has managed to escape notice--no placques, no commemorations--and no wonder. It is one of the uglier moments in this nation's history. Aside from the historical aspects, this is a thrilling read with lots of exciting action, and a surprisingly sexy love story! I see that his NORTH AND SOUTH trilogy is back in print now--guess I'm going to have to read these too. I really recommend ON SECRET SERVICE. I'm going to give it to my dad for Father's Day!

I vividly remember when John Jakes's The Bastard hit the TV screens in the 1970s. It was my first introduction to the power of historical fiction, and I've never forgotten it. Since I'm in a mystery frame of mind these days, I purchased a copy of his new book, On Secret Service, because its main subject is the origins of the US Secret Service and the espionage that took place during the American Civil War.

I wasn't disappointed. Jakes has a way of describing historical situations and characters that is very persuasive--especially male characters. If you're a fan of the Kent Family chronicles or North and South, there are some differences in this book. First, the enormous cast of characters is hard to get to know because family affiliations (a great organizing tactic in the earlier books) are not the main thing here. I don't know the Civil War period very well, and I think that Civil War buffs will be most satisfied with On Secret Service because it features a lot of key players in the War (Stuart, Mosby, Grant, McClellan, Stanton)who may not be as familiar to those who don't avidly read about the War.

The descriptions of warfare, torture, and under-hand tactics are very explicit, but are not overblown. This is, after all, a book about the bloodiest conflict in US History, and Jakes gives us as accurate picture as we can probably stand of that conflict.

Civil War buffs and fans of 19th century US History will probably enjoy this book a great deal, and even fans of mystery and spy novels will have a good time!

As he did so well in his Civil War trilogy and Kent Family Chronicles series, in On Secret Service John Jakes provides a very fast-paced story while blending in lots of interesting and little known facts about the Civil War and the role of the secret service. Also typical of his other works, Jakes provides such vivid descripions of his "good" and "bad" characters (both real-life and fictional) and of the historical period that I felt that I was right there observing these people and events -- rather than just a reader of a vey good book.

On Secret Service has something for all readers -- lots of action, lots of interesting facts about the period before, during and immediately after the Civil War, well-developed characters, and romance. It is a book that I think you will enjoy very much. Actually, if the Amazon rating system allowed it, I would have given On Secret Service 4 1/2 stars. Enjoy!

I loved Jake's Kent Chronicles and North and South trilogy so I already knew the format and style I was about to encounter. No surprises there. I was pleased he used little known facts about the Civil War like Lincoln's high voice, the balloon observatories, the NY riots, how train tracks were destroyed, and the story of Rose. I was disappointed with the lame attempt to tie Charles Main from the trilogy into the book. I also thought he could have given better context for the plot by referencing more famous events. Surely spies would have read the papers more.

Nevertheless, it was a good story that I read until 3:00 am. I didn't think about the relationships among the sexes as being as strained or shifting as portrayed - they must have been. Pinkerton's character was completely different than I had ignorantly envisioned. In a world where civil rights hadn't been established yet, the police methods were fascinating to read. These are the pleasant surprises that gets one hooked into the story. It's not an epic, but it's a worthwhile book.

Set during the Civil War, this is an interesting look at the early origins of the Secret Service via main character Lon, first a Pinkerton man and then US Secret Service. He is a committed abolitionist and works in and around Washington DC throughout the Civil War. We meet all of the major political and military players in DC at the time, including Lincoln, and that is very detailed and fascinating stuff. Naturally, Lon's romantic interest is allied with the South and even operates as a spy for it. I was interested in this story throughout. There were other good supporting characters including Hanna, an actress, and a black man, Zach, who helps Lon after escaping from the South. Although the North is committed to abolishing slavery, it is clear from Zach's life in the North that although free, he is nevertheless considered infinitely inferior. This I found great stuff and could have stood a lot more of it in the book. The only problem with this novel is that I was not strongly gripped by it and could always put it down easily. In fact, I read it before going to sleep every night for about 45 minutes or so. Five star books do not do this. They keep you up until close to dawn. I'm willing to give Jakes another try and have already bought "The Seekers" to do so. This novel was my first try of his work and I am a bit surprised to discover that he is a huge bestselling author.

ON SECRET SERVICE is the first book I've read by John Jakes. I must say that I'm impressed. The thorough knowledge and understanding of the Civil War period displayed by Jakes in this book is impressive. The literary portraits he draws of relatively little-known, but real, historical figures such as Alan Pinkerton, Lafayette Baker and Elizabeth Van Lew, combine with his well-constructed fictional characters to pull the reader into the story. His sense of the public moods of the times and his use of arcane historical detail, such as the use of balloons for surveillance, lends the story added interest and greater credibility.

With all of these strengths, however, the book also has a certain melancholy inevitability about it. In spite of all the effort and all the suffering of the hero, Lon, President Lincoln still ends up dead at the hands of John Wilkes Booth. Nothing can change that. Moreover, the romance between Lon and Margaret follows a rather predictable course. Finally, when all is said and done, everyone ends up deeply scarred by their experiences in the War. As fitting as this probably is, it is nice to feel that the survivors are headed for happier lives once the War is over, but one of the final images is of Margaret crying as she and Lon leave Washington to go west.

ON SECRET SERVICE is an excellent book in many ways. The quality of the writing is first rate, the characterization is good, and the historical detail is fascinating. There is plenty of action and it holds your interest all the way. But, in the end, Lincoln still dies. This isn't the author's fault, but the inevitability of it, and the mundane romantic storyline, hold my rating to four stars. Good, but not quite great. I do recommend it, though, especially for Civil War buffs.

From the very first page, John Jakes weaves yet another splendid mix of fact and fiction about our great American past. Jakes' unique understanding of the people and the period depicted in his latest classic make this book perhaps his best to date. Beginning in the bustling metropolis of Chicago(pop. 100,000)and the rumors of the southern states seceding from the Union, the author takes you through the many quandries that faced both the high-minded abolitionists and stubbornly independent south. The land is in turmoil and few have any idea of what is coming.

If history had been taught like this in classrooms we would all be historians.

If you want to get some good historical insight into at least some of the crosscurrents of political and sociological issues during the Civil War, this is a good book to read. If you expect a reasonably credible depiction of characters in a novel, and a story line that keeps your interest, you may be disappointed. I was.