Love and War by John Jakes
This is, without a doubt, one of the best books set against the backdrop of the Civil War that I have ever read. After finishing the first book in the trilogy, I immediately began the second installment, which exceeds 1,000 pages. The time flew by as I immersed myself in the lives of the Hazards from Pennsylvania and the Mains from South Carolina.
The story begins with the first shots fired in Charleston, South Carolina, as families send their members off to war. The inevitable occurs: Billy Hazard joins the Union, while Charles Main enlists in the Confederacy. Despite their differing loyalties, Billy and Charles manage to remain friends, even though they know they won’t see each other for some time. Their paths cross again when Billy is sent to Libby Prison, where he encounters Charles once more. I don’t want to reveal too much, but the suspense had me on pins and needles throughout.
The novel beautifully captures the sorrow of lost love, the joy of love found, the horror of mankind’s inhumanity, and the tragedy of war. "Love and War" is truly a stunning achievement.
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