Helpful Score: 2
The author brings the characters and setting to life with his easy-to-read novel. Without noticing, the reader finds themself "a part" of the story without much imagination.
Helpful Score: 2
This was a great historical novel about the early beginnings of our country and its financial institutions. The main characters are fictional and delightful. Also in the book are Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr and William Duer. Well written and highly recommended.
Helpful Score: 1
Great historical fiction. Loved reading it even though it is a long (550+ pages) book and a BIG topic and tale. Being from Pittsburgh I enjoyed the initial locations of western Pennsylvania and the descriptions there. Informative from a historical viewpoint and entertaining form a fiction viewpoint. If you enjoy Historical finction and/or the Amercian Revolution, then this is YOUR read.
The book has some true based facts to it; however, it is fictional. It combines history facts with story facts. The time frame is based on when good were traded for items instead of using money. Whiskey is made which becomes their form of funds. Lots of betrayal. Good book.
I don't usually read these types of books but the title intrigued me. I loved everything about it. The plot keeps you guessing until the very end.
This story alternates between the believable and engaging viewpoints of two characters, Ethan Saunders and Joan Maycott, each of whom is sympathetic in his/her own way. The wry voice of Saunders is often laugh-out-loud funny, a great counterpoint to that of Maycott, a brilliant and perceptive woman who not only refuses to be cowed by the sexism of the times, she manipulates it to her own ends. It takes a good two-thirds of the book before these two characters' narratives intersect, but it's an interesting and well-crafted two-thirds. Unlike in many stories with a similar set-up, I enjoyed each narrative in it's own right rather than impatiently anticipating their convergence.
This was my first experience reading David Liss; it won't be my last.
This was my first experience reading David Liss; it won't be my last.
A very enjoyable historical novel. Good read.
This story alternates between the believable and engaging viewpoints of two characters, Ethan Saunders and Joan Maycott, each of whom is sympathetic in his/her own way. The wry voice of Saunders is often laugh-out-loud funny, a great counterpoint to that of Maycott, a brilliant and perceptive woman who not only refuses to be cowed by the sexism of the times, she manipulates it to her own ends. It takes a good two-thirds of the book before these two characters' narratives intersect, but it's an interesting and well-crafted two-thirds. Unlike in many stories with a similar set-up, I enjoyed each narrative in it's own right rather than impatiently anticipating their convergence.
This was my first experience reading David Liss; it won't be my last.
This was my first experience reading David Liss; it won't be my last.
