Savannah, or A Gift for Mr. Lincoln

by John Jakes

Georgia, 1864: Sherman’s army marches inexorably from Atlanta to the sea. In its path: the charming old city of Savannah, where the Lester ladies—attractive widowed Sara and her feisty twelve-year-old daughter Hattie—struggle to save the family rice plantation. When Sherman offers the conquered city to President Lincoln as “a Christmas gift,” Hattie and the feared general find themselves on a collision course that will astonish both of them.

In this rousing new tale, “the godfather of the historical novel” (Los Angeles Times) tells a story of battlefield danger, wartime romance, and indomitable courage. The rich cast of characters includes a corrupt judge who positively exudes Dickensian wickedness; a fast-talking, piano-playing reporter from New York; a pair of thwarted young lovers; a raffish Indiana cavalryman; a valiant former slave who practices birdcalls with surprising results; and a whole carpet-bagful of rascals, rebels, and real soldiers who marched with Sherman.

Together they bring to life an almost forgotten moment in the Civil War—a season of simmering hostilities, rising hopes, and empty stockings—perhaps the most strife-torn yet heartwarming Christmas in all of American history.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Civil War, Historical, Audiobook, Adult, American Civil War

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

John William Jakes, the author of more than a dozen novels, is regarded as one of today’s most distinguished writers of historical fiction. His work includes the highly acclaimed Kent Family Chronicles series and the North and South Trilogy. Jakes’s commitment to historical accuracy and evocative storytelling earned him the title of “the godfather of historical novelists” from the Los Angeles Times and led to a streak of sixteen consecutive New York Times bestsellers. Jakes has received several awards for his work and is a member of the Authors Guild and the PEN American Center. He and his wife, Rachel, live on the west coast of Florida.

Also writes under pseudonyms Jay Scotland, Alan Payne, Rachel Ann Payne, Robert Hart Davis, Darius John Granger, John Lee Gray. Has ghost written as William Ard.

Reviews

[William · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only other work of Jakes that I have read was Charleston. Savannah is a completely different type of book. The main character is a young girl, which makes the book feel like it is geared toward the teenage crowd. Descriptions are not very detailed and all of the action that takes place is void of any feeling of excitement. I was expecting something similar to Charleston with its complex families and detailed descriptions of places and events. My main purpose for reading this book was the hope that I would learn a little more about a city I enjoy visiting. Obviously, I was unable to get a better view of the city of Savannah and I got little worth out of the book in general.

[Leigh Butler · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was by far the worst John Jakes book I've ever read. There was no compelling plot or story arch at all, and everything was completely unrealistic. It reads like a children's novel (the edition I read even had pictures.) I usually can tolerate Jakes' whimsical and simplified/stretched versions of history, but this was just laughable - women living alone in the South during the civil war, having a pet pig while everyone is literally starving to death, Sherman befriending a little girl and giving their family Christmas dinner, union generals giving a sh*t about soldiers threatening to steal a piano, Sherman personally doing a bust on an underground slavery ring and punishing the perpetrators? What in the white-washed history...? And so many plot lines went nowhere - i really thought tybee Jo was gonna give the judge something to cry about, but he just eloped with his daughter ...on Christmas Eve during the peak of the civil war? Ok. And don't get me started on the predictable and cheesy "love stories" between the fragile unaccompanied women and the union boys. Oh and the girl starting her period??? What are we doing Jakes? I would say it's a good book for a middle schooler, but I would rather them read something that actually has a plot and some basis in historical reality.

[John Findlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a quick and easy read, I found this book enjoyable. It also covers a portion of the Civil War which I knew little about, the end of Sherman's "March to the Sea" in Savannah at Christmastime 1864. In contrast to the destruction that he wreaked through other parts of Georgia and later South Carolina, he took it easy on Savannah, and sent a telegram giving it to President Lincoln. Beyond the historical background, however, the story itself was pretty unbelievable and the characters were stilted. I did not find this book to be up to the standards of other historical fiction of the Civil War, such as the books by the father and son Shaaras.

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Start with the good: I liked the historical details, I liked learning about the Civil War time period and specifically about city I would love to visit someday.

But this story was also cheesy and somewhat predictable. The characters were skin-deep, stereotyped, and superficially developed, and I found Hattie's character to be unbelievable as a 12-year-old girl. Meh! There's gotta be better historical fiction out there, maybe just not on audio CD at my local library (which is where I got this one).

[Kyle Kerns · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very uncharacteristic John Jakes book, Savannah never seemed to get going, and I didn't find myself drawn into the characters and time period of the book. Rather than an in depth (though fictional) account of historical events, this book was quite simply a "light read." From the young girl (the main character) having a pig as a pet and taking it for walks on a leash to the very fact that the book had pictures (drawings like a kid's book), I just couldn't take it seriously and cannot consider it even close to the classic Jakes book.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Jakes is one of my favorite authors but this book didn't do it for me. It was slow reading and I forced myself to finish the book. The concept of a young girl and her mother during the Civil War during the siege of Savannah was good but her relationship with Sherman was unbelievable. However I am looking forward to reading Charleston by John Jakes next. I hope that it will match up to all of his other books

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book before a trip to Georgia. I was surprised to learn that he writes for an adult audience, because this book reads very much like a stylized, safe, somewhat contrived YA book. That said, it did provide some good history of the time, so I made a point of finishing it. I'd recommend it to young female readers, age 9-12 or so. Or a good family read-aloud book.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read approximately a dozen of John Jakes' historical novels and enjoyed them all. After reading fifty pages or so of Savannah I thought, "This is not the John Jakes I remember." In addition to the "historical novel" label you could also add his previous novels to your "thriller" list. It started rather slowly, in my opinion, and never did develop into a "thriller;" it served up action but is not a thriller. The protagonists include a relatively young widow and mother, her daughter, and their friends who are, for the most part, women but it falls short of the "chick lit" label. It is a "slice of life" story about how the residents of Savannah deal with the Union occupation of their city. I think this is a very good story.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I had just gotten back from visiting Savannah, I thought this book would be awesome to read. I was sorely disappointed. Although I did enjoy the history part of it and it was fun to recognize so many historical places in the city, the story itself just didn’t grab me. It’s based on a girl and her widowed mother having to leave their estate to move in with a friend in Savannah as Sherman marches from Atlanta to the city to overtake it. It just didn’t have the same appeal to me that other John Jakes books have.

[Patricia · Rating 1 out of 5]

For a book about the civil war era there was more fatphobia than there was racism. It wasn't just the characters that were fatphobic but the author himself. Had these lines describing larger characters been more concise and less aggressive in their negativity the story as a whole would have been more enjoyable. Also there was one scene at the end that felt completely unnecessary for the reader to be privy to.

[Jo Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Savannah, so I really looked forward to reading this work of historical fiction. I enjoyed the historical details, Sherman's march on Savannah, and his Christmas gift to Lincoln of preserving this beautiful city, yet conquering it. The book and its characters just seemed shallow and trite to me, though, and on the whole, I was disappointed.

[Joe Farley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Charleston before Savannah and expected it to be as good. However I found Savannah to be difficult to read because of the implausible premise. I couldn’t believe that General Sherman would develop a relationship with with an adolescent southern girl.

[Ellen Klock · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for one of John Jakes sweeping sagas, then Savannah is not the book for you. This quaint little (by Jakes' standards) Christmas story, if you can call any book set during Sherman's March to the Sea "quaint", Is a somewhat quiet interlude lasting from the newly established Thanksgiving, 1964, through a couple of weeks into the new year. Yes, there is looting and destruction by both Yankees and Rebs, but Savannah plays the perfect host, welcoming their enemies hoping to avoid the burning experienced by the neighboring city of Atlanta. Here we meet General William T Sherman, an unusual type of soldier, slovenly in appearance but determined to end this war once and for all.

Yet, Sherman is not the main event. This is the story of twelve year old Harriet and her widowed mother, Sara Lester, who are forced to leave behind their rice farm and move into Savannah when the fields are flooded by the rebs to help slow the advance of Sherman's army. Moving in with her best friend, Mrs Vastley Rohrschamp (who both fears and secretly welcomes the idea of being somehow defiled by the enemy), the three women try to get by as best they can in times of uncertainty and poverty. Hattie, a headstrong, reckless young lady, is the main focus as she wages her own battle against the Yankees, even going so far as to kick General Sherman in the shins. His reaction surprises her, and afterwards she feels comfortable enough to ask him for assistance when the need arises. Still, Hattie admits they can never be friends since her heart belongs to Dixie and she cannot forgive the deaths of her father and others who were killed in the war.

There's some violence, some love, some evil doers, and some kindhearted gentlemen looking out for the three companions. As I said, a sweet little wartime Christmas story.
This one was perfect for listening, with an abridged audiobook read by Dylan Baker.

Oh, and the subtitle "A Gift for Mr Lincoln" refers to the telegram Sherman wired to President Lincoln on December 22nd with the message, “I beg to present you, as a Christmas gift, the city of Savannah, with 150 heavy guns and plenty of ammunition, and also about 25,000 bales of cotton.”

Three stars.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book is bleak and grim as it describes the lot of the people living in and around Savannah, Georgia, in late 1864, dreading the arrival and destruction of Sherman's army. It is rather slow-going, but still captured my interest, due to a recent trip I made to that area. About half way through, the story really picks up the pace and becomes much more focused on a few interwoven families and characters. It was hard to put down, from that point on. That is not to say that it was amazing, because it still suffered from some glaring flaws, namely in the relationship between the 12 year-old girl, Hattie, and her long-suffering mother, Sara. Hattie is what would have been called a "hoyden" in those days; she is loud, brash, and pig-headed! (appropriately enough, since she owns a pet pig!) Her mother allows Hattie to talk back, go her own way, and generally behave in a much looser way than would have been tolerated at that time! I found it difficult to remember that Hattie and Sara were of the Planter Class, because of the way Hattie behaved and that they were in such reduced circumstances. They went to stay with Miss Vee, who owned a comfortable house in a nice part of town. I also found it hard to accept that so much attention would have been paid to the relatively mild vandalism they suffered. The book even talks about the greater destruction that took place all around the city.
There were several romantic threads throughout the book, all of which were handled fairly well, except for the elopement scenario which seemed unlikely in the exgreme!
The book presents a sympathetic view of Sherman, with a few bits of authentic history thrown in to qualify this fiction as "Historical."
One more thing worthy of mention, is how much this tale owes to iconic books about the South, i.e. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and GONE WITH THE WIND, to name just two.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been on my shelf for at least three years, as many others, and just grabbed it on the way to the dentist. Glad I did. Got into it right away. As an immigrant to America, my education on the Civil War was nil. I mean, after all, I only ever got as far as Elizabeth I in British History, we have so much, how on earth can the British school systems get to other countries! Arriving in GA as a young bride in 1967 I really should have taken an interest in history, and lived several places mentioned in this book and had no clue! Although, I was blessed to learn a lot of history from friends great grandparents who told me their reflections with stories passed on. These were stories from middle Georgia.

This book tells a tale of General Sherman, a very different take from my history lessons from my Southern pals in the 1960's, who were not a bit kindly towards this man. This book paints a different picture, of a man who could also be generous. Personally I don't see it myself, however, it made a good story for the book!

Young girl of 12 named Hattie, who lives with her widow mother, tells the story from her perspective of the winter and Christmas after Shermans March thru Georgia. The burning of Atlanta is a small mention and the wicked march towards the sea to Savannah, (one of my favourite towns in GA). Life is not easy, the Yankee troops burn, steal and cheat their way across the Georgia countryside, destroying, raping and pilfering on their way. Hattie, the young lass, tells the story of how she and her mother survive a wicked winter and Christmas with help from friends and also a confrontation with General Sherman himself, the man who left death and distraction through Georgia at every place he went. An interesting read.

[Kim Boulware · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is my first John Jake's book. I loved that it was set in Savannah during the Civil War at Christmas. But overall the story seemed a bit cheesy.
It is a story about a young widow, Sarah and her daughter, Hattie and their pet pig Anabelle during the Sherman March to Savannah. They lived in Silverglass Plantation, 10 miles SW of Savannah. Tales of characters in the war. Concerned with Sherman's soldiers Sarah, Hattie, and Anabelle move to downtown Savannah off Wright Square with Miss Vee. Hattie has interactions with Gen Sherman which are very entertaining and funny.

Rough notes on the story lines including spoilers Winks a kind union spoiler saves a slave from drowning in ebenezer creek.
Me vee home off is invaded. And Stephen likes Sarah. And they play the piano together. Union soldiers destroy toys that Hattie had made.
Hattie and her pig are walking thru the squares and get in a tussle with the union soildeors and ends up kicking Gen Sherman in the shin.
He invites her to his headquarters at the green meldrim house. And they have a nice talk. He wants to be friends.
Hattie finds out that union soldiers are selling slaves to the north. She gets Sherman to help free them.
All have New Years dinner together. Sarah and Stephen fall in love and he vows to return after the war. Ms Vee and gen winks also fall in love and she will move to Indiana.
Sherman calls on Hattie again. They form a friendship. The union soldiers march out of Savannah.

[Bob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining But Reads Like Historical Fiction Targeted To Pre-Teens/Early Teens!

I had been a very big fan of John Jakes' The Kent Family Chronicles and of his North and South Series. I also enjoyed, but to a lesser extent, Charleston, which did a decent job of marrying historical fact with fiction. Having finished Savannah, I found it entertaining enough to finish but not good enough to recommend to anyone other than the most die-hard Jakes fans or young readers ranging from, perhaps, 10-14 years of age.

Basically, I would classify Savannah as a "John Jakes-Lite" book. This is because I found it to be "lite" in several areas I look for in a good book. Specifically, I found its plot to be overly simplistic and his most simplistic to-date; and his characters to be one-dimensional, clichéd and only serviceable, at best. Further, while the book had moments of tension, it lacked sufficient action and suspense, and what it did provide was predictable. And, the historical perspective offered about Savannah at the time GEN Sherman and his troops captured the city lacked sufficient depth.

[Jacqui H. Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another John James historical fiction, this one set at the end of the Civil War. This portrays General Sherman's siege of the city of Savannah at Christmastime, after burning a path across Georgia. As history tells it, he was so taken by the grace and beauty of the city (even after the devastation of war) that, instead of burning it to the ground, he presented it to President Lincoln as a Christmas present.

While history colors Sherman as a pompous ass, Jakes portrays him in this story as an affable, humorous, untidy fatherly sort. Part of this story is about the tenuous, tolerable
friendship he develops with Hattie, a defiant outspoken 12 year old Southern girl who is trying to survive a dangerous Union Occupation with her mother and aunt during the Christmas season.

Good depiction of the Savannah phase at the end of the Civil War.

[Andrea George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hidden gem found at the semi-annual "Friends of the Library" book sale! I am a fan of Mr. Jakes and I thoroughly enjoyed the Kent Family Chronicles and the North and South Trilogy. "Savannah, or A Gift for Mr. Lincoln" was also an enjoyable read. The plot follows the lives of twelve-year-old Hattie, her family, and their acquaintances. The setting takes place mainly in Savannah during the Civil War. The characters are mainly believable, with the exception of the encounters between Hattie and General Sherman. Hattie's over-the-top behavior gets to be too much at times, and in my opinion, took away from the plot. Overall, a well-written story with interesting characters. If you're looking for an older published (2004), historical fiction of the civil war, you will find some little-known historical facts that will definitely hold your interest. I would recommend.

[Murrel Lowry · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Jakes is an excellent author of historical fiction. This book took place primarily in Savannah, GA during the Civil War and also in the Christmas season. In order to write this book, he had to do some serious research and in my opinion, he did an awesome job. I just finished a vacation in Tybee Island and Savannah, GA as well as some time in Hilton Head Island, S.C and I was able to imagine some of the places he describes, as well as some of the destruction that came to bear in a time of war. Sometimes I like to travel back in time to know what once was. My thanks to John Jakes for a job well done and now I can get into some of the dozen or more of his books that I already have in my library.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

With my reawakened interest in the writings of John Jakes, I chose this one due to its title alone. Savannah is one of my favorite southern cities and … John Jakes.

This quick read is unlike other Jakes novels I’ve read. It is very charming, the tale of a mother and daughter on a Georgian rice plantation who flee to the city for safety from encroaching Union soldiers. Their story takes place simultaneously with Savannah’s occupation by General Sherman and his troops at Christmas time.

There wasn’t the depth of plot, history or character I anticipated. Perhaps the story is a tad unrealistic. I did find it a fun read, though, for a summer afternoon.

[Timothy Rankin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It had been many many years since I read the Kent Family Chronicles series, by John Jakes. I’m not sure I even read the entire series, but I remember enjoying what I read. I picked up Savannah because we had visited the city a couple of times to visit a friend of my wife’s. I thoroughly enjoyed this book despite a few comments from other reviewers, that said it wasn’t as good as some of his others. The themes of Christmas, the common humanity of all people, the tragedy of war, and the overcoming nature of Human compassion, made this a great story. It made me want to read Charleston by Jakes as well.

[s. clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a stirring tale! Learned history in the best way possible.

The story makes the privations suffered by Georgia as real as if it was today. The characters were all interesting and even the criminals and their motivations made clear. There was very funny writing that made horrors of war more real. The story makes me want to dig into Civil War history to find out details of how the south recovered economic stability. And I want to know more about "Uncle Billy" and his life after the war.

[Phil Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I can understand why some who have read this book are disappointed in by it. It isn’t the usual sort of sprawling blockbuster one expects from John Jakes, rather, it is a quiet, unassuming, humorous, quiet novel with beautifully drawn characters and a simple, engaging plot. Jakes calls it a tale for Christmas to highlight some light in the darkness that was the American Civil War. His aim is successful. His novel is a delight and was a joy to read.

[Shelli · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually abandoned this read so I should give it one star. It's not that the writing was bad it's just there were too many perspective changes too soon and too often for me to care enough about the characters. I just finished another work of historical fiction that did this, but it was done all within one family so you still heard about the other characters. This just feels too all over the place.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good. I like historical fiction and I did learn some things about General Sherman, not really good things. We sure like to badmouth southerners, confederates, well keep on reading about the feelings of the union army leaders as well. If he's indication, well none of them were very accepting of differences. John Jakes is the kind of writer who will make you think, second guess, and think again.

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did like this book but I didn’t love it. It had been on my shelf for ages, and I just wanted to dig in.
The civilian characters were good, but I was confused with all of the soldiers and officers. I felt I did get a good picture of what was happening in and around Savannah & Georgia in 1864. The story only covers a few months, and the chapters had dates and locations as titles, which helped me keep track.

[James Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ersatz travel guide, perhaps, but still an entertaining introduction to the area. We’re headed there soon for a week and I wanted something to immerse myself into the region. Seasonally appropriate, too as we will be there between Christmas and New Year. This is the first title I’ve read by Mr. Jakes and I found it immensely readable and accessible. Quick read with good characters, many of which will be known to you by reputation already.

[Lori Desch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the story and plot lines so much! We recently visited Savannah so I felt at home within the setting and enjoyed the map provided so I could easily imagine the streets and even some of the architecture. I wish the sub-plots of romance could have been a bit more robust, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book as is. It has been quite a few years since I had read any of John Jakes’ books. I am so glad that I did. Already planning what to ready next by him.

[Cathy Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed John jakes historical novels since I first read the first book of "The Kent Family Chronicles" ("The Bastard") years ago.
I found "Savannah" to be a bit slow (and easy to put down) at the beginning of the book, but the ending was quite engaging. There was one storyline left unresolved making a pathway for an additional novel but I don't know if he ever wrote a sequel.
Still, if you like historical fiction, and especially John Jakes' work, I think you will enjoy this book.