He readily explains that there were many who simply could not accept equality and chose to exterminate those who thought they could use the end of the War to take up their place in society. Jakes also illustrates the birth of the KuKlux Klan from this unrest.

The view of the free man took many a long time to accept and, truth be told, it was only the pressure that people like LBJ brought to the issue a century later that brought equality, in some form or another. The Lincoln and Johnson proclamations to end slavery did not become a decision accepted in all household without issue. Jakes has done a fabulous job in Heaven and Hell to illustrate that the end of the War was not the end of all issues between Americans.

Any reader who wants a multi-dimensional view of the times, complete with great character development, is sure to be impressed by reading the North and South series. A classic piece of fiction that, if the reader has the time to invest, is well worth the effort. By the end, the story comes full circle, with some strong editorial commentary from the perspective of life at the US Centennial. Heaven and Hell is not without its dramatic nature and Jakes keeps the reader on the edge of their seat as he pushes the story along. Meanwhile, some of the scheming characters who were banished from their homes in parts of Book One and Two return to claim land or status within the family.

The US Government chose to begin its westward expansion in this third novel, faced with the daunting task of settling the west and ‘taming’ the Indian population. His attempts to serve are met with scorn and drastic measures, exemplifying that the divisions between the northern and southern states remain strong. Charles Main becomes the new main character from the South, who grapples with life as a Confederate soldier who wishes nothing more than to assimilate back into society and serve his country. In some cases, it only served to fan the flames and make things worse. Using his strong collection of characters and their various situations, Jakes shows that the end of the War was not the end to all issues. In the final installment of the North and South series, Jakes examines life in the United States after the Civil War.

Heaven and hell book john jakes