Heaven and Hell by John Jakes

This was the exciting conclusion of the novel trilogy of this Civil War era by John Jakes. This third and final portion deals with the years following the war between the US states. It was a turbulent time due to the permanent wounds created by the war. Although the slaves were free in the south and the rest of the nation, difficulties remained and especially in the south. Carpetbaggers came in droves taking advantage of the opportunities created by those weaknesses. Politics were dominated by new freed men and northerners alike. There was much resentment in the south and brought rise to such groups as the KKK and other forms of resistance.

New national laws caused more misery and deflation to former slaveholders in the southern states. Southerners were being punished even though the war was over. Former fighting soldiers of the confederacy were not allowed to join the northern dominated military. Those who joined needed to sneak in under false names. Usually their southern accents gave them away and they were kicked out or jailed. There was a great deal of resentment on both sides. It would be several years before the union would be whole again. Those first few years, there were many hardships.

Most of the fighting had been in the south so the south suffered the most. Those killed were from North and South so that was why there was so much hatred after the conflict was over. The Indians in the western expansion felt the full blunt of angry soldiers who were pushing them beyond their natural homeland. Many were exterminated. Generals like Custer were sent to the west and mistakenly killed entire villages of Native Americans.

Other generals were more in tune to making peace and working with the Indians. The railroads pushed farther into the western prairie and mountains along with those following the reports of gold discovery in the far west. There was a rush for those seeking gold as well as land in the new nation. There were many hardships for settlers as well as the Native Americans as the rapid western push continued unabated. The spread of new diseases from the east contributed to the decline of the Indian in his natural habitat.

The saga of the Main and Hazzard families continue with new dynamic lifestyles. There is new wealth created and more misery in both families too. They continue to have their distant relationship. Some members were politically motivated, alienated by independent ideas and still others increasing their wealth. The trials and tribulations of family members make the reading interesting. It helps us to understand the changing atmosphere and the attitudes in this epic adventure of these families from both sides of the Mason Dixon line. It covers a great deal of our history during that time and keeps us entertained and motivated throughout.

Heaven and Hell by John Jakes