Literature: Homeland - A masterpiece from the author of the 'North & South' trilogy

"Thirteen year old Pauli Kroner travels from Berlin to join his uncle, a successful brewer, in America, firmly believing that the New World is indeed a 'land of opportunity'. But the country in which he arrives is one of turbulence: where political corruption is still rife and the true spirit of democracy and racial equality has yet to become a reality after the bloodshed of the Civil War..."

So reads the first paragraph of the dustcover of this, the first installment of 'The Crown Saga'. Every once in a while one comes across a book that affects one further than being a storyline or a tale. Author John Jakes has written a book that compares with the great epics such as James A. Michener's 'Hawaii'. I for one see the world with different eyes after reading this, what will for me remain, classic work set against the backdrop of 'turn of the century' America.

If ever there was a story illustrating the time, this book is it - delving into the issues of runaway unchecked capitalism, and a burgeoning imperialism that remains to this day. Certainly, this is a 'must read' for any lover of the historical epic. I look forward reading the sequel.