Black Point

by Jerome T. Burke

On a spring day in 1895, Lora Lockerby, fresh from Eugene Debs' Pullman Strike trial and troubled over her relationship with Clarence Darrow, arrives in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Thrust backward in time by a bicycle accident, present-day lawyer Jeremy Sloan lands in Lake Geneva on the same day. Jeremy must contend with being marooned in time and must find a way to rescue Lora from lake Geneva's worst boating disaster of which he has foreknowledge. All this while dealing with his own feelings of love for a woman from a hundred years in the past!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance

373 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1994

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesnt like a time travel book especially if you know the area. Lake Geneva is a 20 minute drive up the road from where I live. It's a beautiful lake with crisp, cool clear water. Now imagine riding a bike down that hill, locals are so familiar with, and being hit and thrown into the air land 100 year into the past. Your clothes dont match and heavens, what's in your pocket and wallet.
Jeremy Sloan/Slater must navigate this time change. At least hes familiar with the area. Hes able to heal from his injuries and manages to land a job as a bookkeeper at the construction site of Yerkes Observatory. And good news, his boss has a place for him to stay and a pretty daughter who arrives after the Pullman riots and the Debs trial.
I loved seeing my familiar town and routes through 1895 eyes. Open farm land, the Woodstock jail, the looks on people faces after the newlyweds spend a night at the local hotel. Shameful!
Maybe I'm sentimental, or a softy, but the ending made me cry.

[Bj · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife visited the area where this book takes place a couple months ago. While there we took a tour of the Conrad Seipp family home on Black Point at the Geneva Lake. The tour was wonderful and in the tour shop before we left we bought a copy of this book. Since I have family origins in the area and know some of the surrounding towns, this historical fiction was very interesting to me. I love how the author takes a us back in time and the various historical figures introduced along the way. The author created main characters that are very engaging. Also a love story. A great read for people interested in time travel, historical fiction and some knowledge of southeastern Wisconsin.

[Merida Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging time-travel, romance story with historical background on Pullman, Eugene Debs, and Clarence Darrow. If you have ever been to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin or northern Illinois the story provides an additional impact with its description of the area in 1895. I researched the author, Jerome T. Burke, an attorney and judge. His obituary (https://www.isba.org/barnews/2013/03/... ) notes how proud he was of his authorship of Black Point. The ending of the book was both satisfying and bittersweet.

[Susan Leaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable book for me, but not what I would say an important book. It is historical fiction. The fantasy part of this book includes time travel. Part of the reason I loved this book is because the setting , - Lake Geneva , was a very important place for my mom and dad when they were young and also for me and my kids. Our family has made their own history in this special place. It was a fun book to read and to share with my son, Steve.

[Ramona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be one of my favorite reads of the year. I found this "autographed" copy at a thrift store, and I am glad I picked it up. The combination of time travel, romance, historical aspects of the 1900s in Wisconsin, and the great descriptive writing make this a definite "pass on to others" book, for me. I am looking for more books by Jerome Burke, hoping for another Great Read!

[Kathy Kornatz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I am familiar with the Lake Geneva area, this book held special interest. It combines history with the modern day. I was engaged by the writing and descriptions of the towns, then and now. I also enjoyed the relationships and personalities of the characters.
I was really curious how the author would conclude this story and was very satisfied with the end result.

[Barb Wisniewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this time travel book and that it's based in Lake Geneva, where I have family. Recommended by my cousin who is a docent at Black Point. This is a book I plan to keep and share with friends.

[Jennifer Bako · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading this historical fiction, time traveling, love story. I had to look up a lot of the historical references to get a clearer picture of the events. Really enjoyed the familiar settings and the characters.

[Tracy Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really disappointed with this book. I picked it up at the Black Pointe mansion on Lake Geneva so I was excited to read about some place I had been. It was almost 400 pages and absolutely no character development. My advice skip the book and tour Black Pointe.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book. I highly recommend it. Don't read the summary on the back cover, I believe it reveals too much.

[Marla Shultz Isaacs · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this before a bookclub weekend in Lake Geneva, where this story takes place. It was just okay, but as I neared the end of the book it really picked up for me, and I'm glad I read it.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the history and places all along Lake Geneva (WI). Some rather odd plot turns but fairly compelling story.

[Heidi Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this time travel book as it took place in nearby Lake Geneva, WI. I enjoy fantasy books.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have to admit I was disappointed in the ending, however, I enjoyed the book. Very different subject matter to most.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this time travel love story, especially having just been to Lake Geneva, on a boat ride to Black Point, and to the Observatory.

[The other John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some books are written to tell a great story, others are written to share a specific idea. The story in the latter case is merely a vehicle to showcase the information the author wishes to share. In the case of Black Point, Mr. Burke wanted to share his love and knowledge of Geneva Lake in Wisconsin, the 1893 Columbian Exposition and the Pullman labor dispute. To carry these nuggets of knowledge, he wrote a tale of a modern day lawyer who through some unexplained method is transported back in time to 1895. There he meets and falls for a woman who happened to be involved in the Pullman strike and, before then, happened to be a guide at the 1893 fair. All in all, it's not a bad book. It's certainly good waiting room material. The characters are likable and while the story is not compelling, it did manage to keep my interest. The weakest points of the book were typical time travel clichés: the traveller not only manages to meet famous people, but he also is fortunate to be befriended by people who are a bit "ahead of their time" in their thinking. I think an actual time traveller would probably be stuck amoungst historic nobodies who would avoid him because he was so weird. But for the "lake" people who live or vacation around Geneva Lake, I'm sure such shortcomings will be readily forgiven.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1995, Jeremy Sloan is in a bicycle accident and finds himself in Lake Geneva in 1895! He is hired to maintain the books for the construction of the Observatory. His boss, Paul Lockerby, also hires him to be the overseer of his estate. Jeremy meets Paul's daughter, Lora, and falls in love with her.

This was a highly interesting historical fiction novel about Lake Geneva and Chicago.

[Jillrya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sucked at the start, but got better as it went on. Has some historical facts mixed in - I read it to learn a little something about the area surrounding Lake Geneva, WI. It worked - and it was not too painful of a journey along the way;)

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a MUST READ.. Very good book.. Best if read after Devil in the white city. Devil in the WHite City is about the Chicago Worlds fair and Black's point takes place right after that.. Fictional History but many true points.. In Lake Geneva WI

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow to start and a little too much details on Pullman and some of the minor characters but it was pretty good. Could see it made into a movie around Lake Geneva. Reminded me of Somewhere in Time film.

[Nini · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a treat! I always find literature of an area I visit. This book takes you back to a past time and incorporates events and places of that time. Fully developed characters, great history, detailed and poetic descriptions so you feel the story. Thanks!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

surprisingly good book. i read it more for the history on Lake Geneva but was pleasantly surprised by the story.

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, Love, Love this book! It combines history, romance and time travel together in one great read! It's one of those books you can read over and over again. It gives me goosebumps every time!

[Maddly Peculiar · Rating 2 out of 5]

i have so many questions

[Gem Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved This!! Then drove around Lake Geneva just to imagine.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being familiar with the area this was an interesting read. I bought it while vacationing there.

[Melody]

I especially enjoyed the setting of this book. Lake Geneva, Waterford and Racine are all local areas for me. The construction of the observatory was very interesting, as I have vistied there. I do want to take the tour of Black Point in the coming summer.

[Amy B · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting tale of time travel on Lake Geneva