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This Side of Innocence
Beautiful Amalie Maxwell, low-born, but driven by limitless desires, came to Riversend and instantly touched off a holocaust of passion, hatred and intrigue that blazed through three generations of the lordly Lindseys...
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1946
351 people are currently reading
443 people want to read
About the author
Taylor Caldwell
152 books558 followers Also known by the pen names Marcus Holland and Max Reiner.
Taylor Caldwell was born in Manchester, England. In 1907 she emigrated to the United States with her parents and younger brother. Her father died shortly after the move, and the family struggled. At the age of eight she started to write stories, and in fact wrote her first novel, The Romance of Atlantis, at the age of twelve (although it remained unpublished until 1975). Her father did not approve such activity for women, and sent her to work in a bindery. She continued to write prolifically, however, despite ill health. (In 1947, according to TIME magazine, she discarded and burned the manuscripts of 140 unpublished novels.)
In 1918-1919, she served in the United States Navy Reserve. In 1919 she married William F. Combs. In 1920, they had a daughter, Mary (known as "Peggy"). From 1923 to 1924 she was a court reporter in New York State Department of Labor in Buffalo, New York. In 1924, she went to work for the United States Department of Justice, as a member of the Board of Special Inquiry (an immigration tribunal) in Buffalo. In 1931 she graduated from SUNY Buffalo, and also was divorced from William Combs.
Caldwell then married her second husband, Marcus Reback, a fellow Justice employee. She had a second child with Reback, a daughter Judith, in 1932. They were married for 40 years, until his death in 1971.
In 1934, she began to work on the novel Dynasty of Death, which she and Reback completed in collaboration. It was published in 1938 and became a best-seller. "Taylor Caldwell" was presumed to be a man, and there was some public stir when the author was revealed to be a woman. Over the next 43 years, she published 42 more novels, many of them best-sellers. For instance, This Side of Innocence was the biggest fiction seller of 1946. Her works sold an estimated 30 million copies. She became wealthy, traveling to Europe and elsewhere, though she still lived near Buffalo.
Her books were big sellers right up to the end of her career. During her career as a writer, she received several awards.
She was an outspoken conservative and for a time wrote for the John Birch Society's monthly journal American Opinion and even associated with the anti-Semitic Liberty Lobby. Her memoir, On Growing Up Tough, appeared in 1971, consisting of many edited-down articles from American Opinion.
Around 1970, she became interested in reincarnation. She had become friends with well-known occultist author Jess Stearn, who suggested that the vivid detail in her many historical novels was actually subconscious recollection of previous lives. Supposedly, she agreed to be hypnotized and undergo "past-life regression" to disprove reincarnation. According to Stearn's book, The Search of a Soul - Taylor Caldwell's Psychic Lives, Caldwell instead began to recall her own past lives - eleven in all, including one on the "lost continent" of Lemuria.
In 1972, she married William Everett Stancell, a retired real estate developer, but divorced him in 1973. In 1978, she married William Robert Prestie, an eccentric Canadian 17 years her junior. This led to difficulties with her children. She had a long dispute with her daughter Judith over the estate of Judith's father Marcus; in 1979 Judith committed suicide.
Also in 1979, Caldwell suffered a stroke, which left her unable to speak, though she could still write. (She had been deaf since about 1965.) Her daughter Peggy accused Prestie of abusing and exploiting Caldwell, and there was a legal battle over her substantial assets.
She died of heart failure in Greenwich, Conn
Taylor Caldwell was born in Manchester, England. In 1907 she emigrated to the United States with her parents and younger brother. Her father died shortly after the move, and the family struggled. At the age of eight she started to write stories, and in fact wrote her first novel, The Romance of Atlantis, at the age of twelve (although it remained unpublished until 1975). Her father did not approve such activity for women, and sent her to work in a bindery. She continued to write prolifically, however, despite ill health. (In 1947, according to TIME magazine, she discarded and burned the manuscripts of 140 unpublished novels.)
In 1918-1919, she served in the United States Navy Reserve. In 1919 she married William F. Combs. In 1920, they had a daughter, Mary (known as "Peggy"). From 1923 to 1924 she was a court reporter in New York State Department of Labor in Buffalo, New York. In 1924, she went to work for the United States Department of Justice, as a member of the Board of Special Inquiry (an immigration tribunal) in Buffalo. In 1931 she graduated from SUNY Buffalo, and also was divorced from William Combs.
Caldwell then married her second husband, Marcus Reback, a fellow Justice employee. She had a second child with Reback, a daughter Judith, in 1932. They were married for 40 years, until his death in 1971.
In 1934, she began to work on the novel Dynasty of Death, which she and Reback completed in collaboration. It was published in 1938 and became a best-seller. "Taylor Caldwell" was presumed to be a man, and there was some public stir when the author was revealed to be a woman. Over the next 43 years, she published 42 more novels, many of them best-sellers. For instance, This Side of Innocence was the biggest fiction seller of 1946. Her works sold an estimated 30 million copies. She became wealthy, traveling to Europe and elsewhere, though she still lived near Buffalo.
Her books were big sellers right up to the end of her career. During her career as a writer, she received several awards.
She was an outspoken conservative and for a time wrote for the John Birch Society's monthly journal American Opinion and even associated with the anti-Semitic Liberty Lobby. Her memoir, On Growing Up Tough, appeared in 1971, consisting of many edited-down articles from American Opinion.
Around 1970, she became interested in reincarnation. She had become friends with well-known occultist author Jess Stearn, who suggested that the vivid detail in her many historical novels was actually subconscious recollection of previous lives. Supposedly, she agreed to be hypnotized and undergo "past-life regression" to disprove reincarnation. According to Stearn's book, The Search of a Soul - Taylor Caldwell's Psychic Lives, Caldwell instead began to recall her own past lives - eleven in all, including one on the "lost continent" of Lemuria.
In 1972, she married William Everett Stancell, a retired real estate developer, but divorced him in 1973. In 1978, she married William Robert Prestie, an eccentric Canadian 17 years her junior. This led to difficulties with her children. She had a long dispute with her daughter Judith over the estate of Judith's father Marcus; in 1979 Judith committed suicide.
Also in 1979, Caldwell suffered a stroke, which left her unable to speak, though she could still write. (She had been deaf since about 1965.) Her daughter Peggy accused Prestie of abusing and exploiting Caldwell, and there was a legal battle over her substantial assets.
She died of heart failure in Greenwich, Conn
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 6, 2022
DNF at 45%
Enough. I hate this book, I hate all the characters and I don't care what happens to them.
Taylor Caldwell's A Prologue to Love is a book that mesmerized me as a teenager. I thought I would revisit her as an adult but Captains and the Kings was "meh" and I just can't with this one. I think I'm done with her.
Enough. I hate this book, I hate all the characters and I don't care what happens to them.
Taylor Caldwell's A Prologue to Love is a book that mesmerized me as a teenager. I thought I would revisit her as an adult but Captains and the Kings was "meh" and I just can't with this one. I think I'm done with her.
August 8, 2011
A very dated novel, Caldwell sometimes veers off into extensive philosophical or social posturing, leaving one to wonder what is happening with the characters. Some of this extra writing is alright, but I felt most was excessive, since it seemed to spoon-feed her personal viewpoint to the reader. I was also concerned about much of the description of costume and setting for the early period of the book, which is set in the early 1870s in New York State. Her description of dress was almost Victorian, rather than shortly after Lincoln's assassination. Ditto her description of house interiors.
December 29, 2012
I read this long ago, when I was say, in my early teens. I reread it periodically until I got to be an adult. It's a real tear jerker of a story that centers around two men and a woman. It's set in rural New York State after the Civil War. It's a page turner, plus this time, I noticed all of the commentary about the change from an agrarian economy to an industrial economy and the resulting effects on social relations. Interesting. Since that is the economic reason why the Civil War was fought (simply put, the South was holding the whole country back and it was no longer content with just the South, it also wanted the West, too), I guess Taylor Caldwell had her facts straight.
It was a great re-read, especially because I read it while having the flu (still lingering). I bought this, along with two bags of books, at the annual Saranac Lake Free Library Winter Carnival book sale. $22.50 for two bags of books isn't too bad. Funny thing is that I bought a copy of "The World is Flat" by Friedman - it was in the "Travel" section. Had a bit of a laugh on that one.
You probably don't want to waste your time on this. There are so many better books out there, but when you're sick, there's nothing like a trip down memory lane.
It was a great re-read, especially because I read it while having the flu (still lingering). I bought this, along with two bags of books, at the annual Saranac Lake Free Library Winter Carnival book sale. $22.50 for two bags of books isn't too bad. Funny thing is that I bought a copy of "The World is Flat" by Friedman - it was in the "Travel" section. Had a bit of a laugh on that one.
You probably don't want to waste your time on this. There are so many better books out there, but when you're sick, there's nothing like a trip down memory lane.
September 9, 2018
Two men are in love with the same woman, who happens to be married to one of the men. To complicate matters, the two men are brothers, albeit by adoption, and the stage is set for high drama. The woman at the center of this love triangle is the hauntingly beautiful Amalie, a former school teacher from a poor family, who is constantly seeking validation from those around her to compensate for her “lack of breeding” and low self-esteem. Like many women of that period in history with no money or family ties, Amalie uses her beauty and considerable charm to marry into a wealthy family of bankers with multiple land holdings in rural upstate New York.
What sets Amalie apart from the ordinary gold digger is that she informs her husband beforehand that she is not in love him and is only marrying him to avoid a future of penury in a society that offers no opportunities for women of her background. The fact that her husband Alfred accepts this arrangement is a clue to his character and his state of mind at the time of their marriage.
While most of the action centers around Amalie and her suitors, for me, the most intriguing character in the novel is the enigmatic Dorothea, Amalie’s sister-in-law, with whom the married couple shares a home. While making only rare appearances throughout the story, Dorothea is always lurking in the background where she exerts an unseen but very strong influence over the other members of this dysfunctional family. While Dorothea is painted as the quintessential “spinster” of Nineteenth Century literature, she carries within her a secret love for one of the male characters, a secret that is the driving force behind much of the action in the story.
I can’t say much more about the plot without the introduction of spoilers, but suffice it to say that both the plot and the characters are complex enough to sustain the reader’s interest throughout this long novel. In addition to the depth of characterization and complex plot, the author’s impressionistic descriptions of the magnificent scenery in a remote rural setting in upstate New York are a perfect complement to the action in the story.
Where this novel fell short for me was in the author’s political and philosophical meanderings, interspersed throughout the story, about the benefits of industrialization and commerce over an agrarian society and how the concentration of wealth in a landholder class was causing the newly emergent American nation to stagnate and fall behind the rest of the world. Aside from the fact that these notions are somewhat disagreeable to me, I found them to be an unwelcome distraction from an otherwise riveting tale of family drama and intrigue. Without these unwelcome interruptions, I would have given this novel five stars. As it is, however, I give it four stars.
What sets Amalie apart from the ordinary gold digger is that she informs her husband beforehand that she is not in love him and is only marrying him to avoid a future of penury in a society that offers no opportunities for women of her background. The fact that her husband Alfred accepts this arrangement is a clue to his character and his state of mind at the time of their marriage.
While most of the action centers around Amalie and her suitors, for me, the most intriguing character in the novel is the enigmatic Dorothea, Amalie’s sister-in-law, with whom the married couple shares a home. While making only rare appearances throughout the story, Dorothea is always lurking in the background where she exerts an unseen but very strong influence over the other members of this dysfunctional family. While Dorothea is painted as the quintessential “spinster” of Nineteenth Century literature, she carries within her a secret love for one of the male characters, a secret that is the driving force behind much of the action in the story.
I can’t say much more about the plot without the introduction of spoilers, but suffice it to say that both the plot and the characters are complex enough to sustain the reader’s interest throughout this long novel. In addition to the depth of characterization and complex plot, the author’s impressionistic descriptions of the magnificent scenery in a remote rural setting in upstate New York are a perfect complement to the action in the story.
Where this novel fell short for me was in the author’s political and philosophical meanderings, interspersed throughout the story, about the benefits of industrialization and commerce over an agrarian society and how the concentration of wealth in a landholder class was causing the newly emergent American nation to stagnate and fall behind the rest of the world. Aside from the fact that these notions are somewhat disagreeable to me, I found them to be an unwelcome distraction from an otherwise riveting tale of family drama and intrigue. Without these unwelcome interruptions, I would have given this novel five stars. As it is, however, I give it four stars.
July 19, 2023
When I read other reviews I see they focused on the likability of the characters and the overall plot. These are not the reasons I give it a five star rating, which I rarely do and I read a lot. What is remarkable to me about this book is the author’s use of language and her prescience about American culture This was written long before America was awash in materialism and spiritual poverty as it is today. The conversations between the protagonists were so insightful. Taylor Caldwell was a thinker and wrote beautifully
April 12, 2012
All the elements of a Romantic story, love, passion, revenge, hatred and of course greed. Taylor Caldwell, delves deep into each character, displaying them with all their weaknesses as well as strengths.
The book deals with the question of Industrialisation, its effects on Society as compared to Agrarian Society, a theme which must have dominated the Eighteenth Century thought in England.
The book deals with the question of Industrialisation, its effects on Society as compared to Agrarian Society, a theme which must have dominated the Eighteenth Century thought in England.
June 26, 2019
I'm reading this late in life and find it cumbersome. Lots of interesting information about the US after the Civil War. Caldwell pushes her outlook on life with a complicated love triangle. Scenery and atmosphere beautifully presented. Overall, a nice read. May have been challenging at ages 17,27 but not so much at 87.
July 20, 2020
Excellent book. The story could be true today as well as back in the 1800's. Loved the way the characters were presented and the detail to the area she was writing about.
May 14, 2019
I find it interesting that reviewers did not seem to pick up on the fact that the whole novel is a metaphor and critique of American society and politics. The title represents the change in morality within the American culture at that time in history. Possibly, Amalie represents a new America. Whilst Jerome may represent the left (democrat) and Alfred represents the right (republican). Caldwell was in reality a staunch conservative. I.E. Jerome, while doing good things, was really cruel and could never be content. Amalie (in her youth) was tempted by the lure and charisma of Jerome, but came to her senses and realized that Alfred (and his acquired wisdom with age) was the answer in the end. Their children were the hope of the new generations.
There were a lot of remarkable prophecies regarding the long-term effects of materialism that seem to speak volumes in 2019. In philosophizing about the difference in the family class system of Europe versus the newly developed class system of America based on wealth, Caldwell states, “if we are not careful, the new leaders of America, the new statesman and politicians, will inevitably come from those with no tradition of pride, dignity and honour... I foresee a time when America will have profound weight in the world. If that weight is not accompanied by thoughtfulness, intellectual perception and decent altruism, then the world will be a sorry state indeed.”
There were a lot of remarkable prophecies regarding the long-term effects of materialism that seem to speak volumes in 2019. In philosophizing about the difference in the family class system of Europe versus the newly developed class system of America based on wealth, Caldwell states, “if we are not careful, the new leaders of America, the new statesman and politicians, will inevitably come from those with no tradition of pride, dignity and honour... I foresee a time when America will have profound weight in the world. If that weight is not accompanied by thoughtfulness, intellectual perception and decent altruism, then the world will be a sorry state indeed.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2019
I always liked taylor Caldwell books . this was a good story with a bit of political insights. she writes well of human emotions.
I found reference to this book in a recent new book and realized I hadn't read it. glad I did
I found reference to this book in a recent new book and realized I hadn't read it. glad I did
February 29, 2020
Taylor Caldwell is a favorite of mine
This is another good read that splendidly reveals human nature and thoughts of great men from a lost era. Taylor is an excellent period writer and great story teller.
This is another good read that splendidly reveals human nature and thoughts of great men from a lost era. Taylor is an excellent period writer and great story teller.
November 15, 2020
Good readable story
A delightful reading - but the ending is too cinematic. Lot of ideas have been presented which if analyzed, will prove impractical. May be it was a good book for her times, but in today’s world the story appears to be more like a fairy tale.
A delightful reading - but the ending is too cinematic. Lot of ideas have been presented which if analyzed, will prove impractical. May be it was a good book for her times, but in today’s world the story appears to be more like a fairy tale.
February 20, 2011
Brought home to re-read again. (sometime)
July 27, 2021
Far too verbose. Generally neurotic and unpleasant characters. Some interesting thoughts and ideas, but I don't have any idea why I once enjoyed her books so much.
October 21, 2024
When Jerome Lindsey rushes home to Riversend, it's to prevent his cousin Alfred from making a disastrous second marriage to Amalie Maxwell, a local schoolteacher. He does not succeed in his purpose. However, he and Amalie fall in love, and Alfred and Amalie get divorced. This breaks up the family since Jerome's sister, Dorothea, is horrified by what he has done. Fourteen years later, Jerome and Amalie's daughter Mary meets Philip, Alfred's son, at her grandfather's grave...
Although Taylor Caldwell talks about the big issues--the need for men to live for more than bread alone--her focus is on the impact of an illicit relationship on all the parties involved.
Although Taylor Caldwell talks about the big issues--the need for men to live for more than bread alone--her focus is on the impact of an illicit relationship on all the parties involved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2024
I should have heeded the other reviewers here. Not worth the 500+ pages. It was entirely too long, full of unnecessary scenes and an inflated vocabulary, and the characters were not even a redemption. The women were various kinds of “bring me my smelling salts” swooning Victorian stereotypes. And so many descriptions of people’s eyes and faces…So over the top. I was really hoping to like this author because she was so prolific, but I’m not sure I could make myself do another book written like this.
November 14, 2025
Taylor Caldwell’s THIS SIDE OF INNOCENCE brings renewed interest in the praising focus of America. She cleverly weaves the economic aspects of a growing country. Not so welcomed, at least for me, are the long winded descriptions of the settings. The characters were surprisingly odd. Bringing with them a multitude of personalities out of character from the beginning of the book to the end. I’ve read other Caldwell books which I enjoyed but this left me feeling the end was predictable and rushed. As long as it took to get through the meat of the novel, the ending rushed you along
September 27, 2022
This is my least favorite of the Taylor Caldwell books I've read so far. I CAN'T STAND flip-flop Amalie, though I can understand what motivated her to enter a loveless marriage for mercenary reasons. Still, she's married to one man but wants another, then (in an age when divorce was scandalous) she gets her freedom to marry the other man - whom she supposedly loves - and ends up wishing she was back with her ex! Too soap opera for me!
April 29, 2018
I am reconciled with Caldwell because we took my daughter's name from her book "Great Lion of God". We are all, not at the same time, influenced by logic. It will, does often intise us to listen. No one should take happiness at another's expense. We often let "imponderables' confuse us. But then we choose to be confused and even logic will confuse us.
March 21, 2023
American Saga
A bit long but so is history. This shows the very human side of a nations growth and the affect it has had on the people that adhere to the European aristocracy. Americans from the start should have left behind all rigid rules of society and adapted more novel beginnings.
A bit long but so is history. This shows the very human side of a nations growth and the affect it has had on the people that adhere to the European aristocracy. Americans from the start should have left behind all rigid rules of society and adapted more novel beginnings.
January 14, 2024
`I read this about 12 months ago and the book has stayed with me. I have now read a couple more of her books although they are not easy reads, they are memorable. I do love her writing. Many reviews say the book is dated. Yes the style is different from much that is written today but at the same time Caldwell creates so much tension in her work that her books special.
November 5, 2025
one of my most favourite books ever, such a good plot, described beautifully and so interesting, spreading important message on wealth, class and so much more as well as actually just being enjoyable and really engaging to read as I felt like I was transported into the characters world by the authors amazing use of description . I would definitely recommend
July 6, 2019
Remove the verbose and often contradictory philosophizing and it reads like a romance novel filled with over-the-top descriptions of shining purple eyes and trembling lips. The interesting interpersonal conflicts are what kept me reading this overly long book.
Read
January 27, 2021My first Taylor Caldwell. I was thankful I was reading on a Kindle -- I had to look up a lot of the vocabulary she used. It was a fascinating novel -- as much about the transition from an agrarian to an industrial society as it was about forbidden love.
July 31, 2024
No book is perfect. This is my 2nd book I have read of Taylor Caldwell. In every sense of the word, she is an author. Incredible depth in her writing. A forgotten
Use of the English language that shows in so many present day books.
Use of the English language that shows in so many present day books.
August 29, 2017
One of the best books I've ever read.
October 26, 2019
This book was only OK. It dragged on the first half and could have been much more concise. I liked the story line and the author has a great use of the English language. But I can't recommend it as it was way too slow for me.
January 8, 2020
I have probably read this book 6-7 times since high school. I never tire of it.
Want to read
June 25, 2020This book was on the New York Times best-seller list.
July 22, 2023
Misma trama que sus otras novelas americanas
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews