Customer Reviews

Two Crowns for America

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

 

 

I expected a good story from Katherine Kurtz, the author of the Deryni books that I've enjoyed so much. And this book does have the attention to historical detail that I expected. Too much, in fact: there are several lengthy scenes depicting Masonic rituals that read as if Kurtz just wanted to show off her research.

Overall I was very disappointed. The characters were unconvincing and seemed like they were just going through their paces, and I never cared about any of them; there was never any real sense of urgency to the story; Kurtz spends way too much time *telling* what happens instead of showing us what happens; and basically, I didn't see any real *plot*, at least not one that caught my interest! Those few aspects that seemed intriguing -- the nature of the Master, for instance -- are the ones that are least delved into.

It may be worthwhile reading if you're avidly interested in U.S. history, particularly of the American Revolution; but if you're just looking for an entertaining story, I'd pass it by. I feel bad giving this book only one star -- it's not *badly* done, exactly -- but frankly, I only finished it out of a sense of duty.

Katherine Kurtz does a credible job with the historical setting. Her ploy of using Freemasonry as a recruiting ground and cover for a deeper esoteric group, which shares considerable common interests with the Jacobite movement is compelling.

The author's only flaw is during the initiation of the lady, when she exempts her from one requirement, but maintains another. This displays modern sensiblities, not those of an age where a proper lady would feel no compunction nursing an infant in public, but when no woman could expose her legs to view without scandal. The lady, her husband and the gentleman preparing her for the ritual, should have found it no more uncomfortable, and perhaps eaisier, to bare the left breast than to bare the left leg from the knee down. Knowing how modesty was practiced in that day, it was for me a jarring note.

This is not at all what I expect from KK. I waited a while before reading this book and a week later I can't even remember character names. The rituals that are usually so wonderful and full of meaning fell short. The historical setting didn't add to this story as it did in _Lammas Night_, a book at least 10X better than this one. My advice is save your money and get TCfA out of the library if you feel you must read it.

I consider a book great if, after I finish it, I can't stop thinking about it. After I read Katharine Kurtz's Two Crowns for America, I became so interested in colonial history that I visited George Washington's birthplace in Westmoreland County, VA and other Washington historical sites in Fredericksburg, VA. As a fan of historical fiction, my favorites are the ones that make well known figures more real and human; they do more than describe the heros and heroines as GREAT FIGURES IN HISTORY. The story is a wonderful blend of history and fantasy, making me wish it really happened this way. I would recommend this book to anyone hated history class in high school. They will find history is much more entertaining when Katherine Kurtz tells it

I have not read any other books by Kurtz but picked this one up on a whim. She really mixes the Freemason myths and the American Revolution together well. I was amazed to discover that St Germain was a real person.

Seeing the real Founding Fathers such as Washington, Revere, and Franklin alongside the fictional members of this conspiracy was great and I hope some producer decides to make it a movie.

This book takes us back to the dark days when there was a very real possibility that the United States would fall back into the hands of the British government. Ms Kurtz' depiction of Freemasonry is sympathetic and treats the Craft far better than many authors have. But the meat of this book are the characters. She successfully depicts the character and morality of George Washington as few can. Well worth the price, and worthy of an honored place in your library.

Fantasist Katherine Kurtz's book, "Two Crowns for America" combines historical fiction with fantasy as a sort of deus ex-machina ploy to tell the story of two continents. After a brief prologue of English history and rebellious forces of the 18th century, "Two Crowns for Amerca" leaps into George Washington's nomination as Commander in Chief and the journey to Boston where unbeknownst to them, a shooting war had already begun.

Ms. Kurtz also introduces a host of major figures of the day, a list longer than the number of original signers to the constitution in the American rebellion from its represssive master, Great Britain. A delight in this case is the portrait of emissaries to Europe establishing new relationshps and strengthening old ones on behalf of the emergent ntion of united Colonies. Also of paticular interest is the expansion of the Craft, the mysteries of freemasonry to which many of our famed forefathers belonged. This also dovetails nicely with author Kurtz's interest in fantasy.

Rich in historical detail, this novel treats the reader to the sweep of the colonies' leaders as they determine that war was inevitable to throw off the autocratic imperialist environment and that they must create a new social order with their daring new constitution. Author Kurtz handles the drama of these early constitutional conferences well, allowing us to understand the courage demanding of the signers who knew they would be -- like Nathan Hale -- branded as traitors and put to death for their actions. While I believe the book is weak in character development, individuals are painted as unvaryingly white or black, a fault somewhat mediated by the wealth of historical detail. Another confusing detail of "Two Crowns for America" is that Ms. Kurtz tends to use long sentences that separate modifiers from their roots, thus losing the reader in the process.

But, even so, the refreshing point of view of this book about a tale often told overwhelms its small problems. You'll want to add Katherine Kurtz's "Two Crowns for America" to your shelf.

I'm a Scot history buff as well as enamered by tales about our founding fathers. Lots of good background information, however it didn't seem to have much of a plot and if someone didn't know anything about Freemasionry you would be left very much in the dark.

Proof that excellent research and the ability to put words together nicely doth not a good book make can be found herein. Kurtz seems to have forgotten the rule of "show, don't tell," as much of the novel is descriptive summary of the progress of the Revolutionary war. Such few scenes as dramatize character development seem to have been cut-and-pasted from _Lammas Night_ and the Camber of Culdi novels. One can entertain oneself by matching the characters with characters in the Camber novels, but one might better spend one's time rereading those books and skipping this one.