I find that I read this book again and again. Mary Sage Elliot is no Nancy Drew. She has real problems that she would rather hide from, just like so many of us. During the first reading I had no idea who the killer was until the very end although in later readings I see the clues were there all of the time.

My grandmother was one of the authors of this book, but that isn't the reason I like this book. The book has a lot on my ancestors, and it is so cool to learn where I cam from. I definatly think that if you live in the low country, it is worth reading.

Hunter, barely past the age of 16, enlisted in the Federal Navy in November 1862 as a "ship's boy." He was never a regular seaman, but more or less a steward, or waiter in the officers' wardroom. He had great curiosity about everything he encountered in the new world of the Navy, and somehow found astonishing freedom to explore it as he liked. His book is based upon a rather sketchy diary he kept at the time, and greatly expanded with (one hopes) a good memory for details. Hunter later became a schoolteacher, and his writing is entirely readable. His vessel was the monitor "Nahant," one of a class of Federal ironclads similar in design to the original "Monitor," but larger. And every bit as slow, cranky and unseaworthy. Hunter writes often of the bad air and cramped conditions belowdecks, giving a personal closeup view of the Civil War Navy that's available in few if any other books. His monitor saw action in several significant naval assaults by the Union's South Atlantic Squadron. It took part in the failed Federal attack on Sumter in April 1863. The "Nahant" also participated in the capture of the Confederate Ram "Atlanta," and in the famous and deadly Union assault on Fort Wagner, like Sumter a part of the defenses of Charleston. Hunter's story is basically a memoir, written 60 years after the events, a likeable old veteran's gift to his grandchildren. This is a superb book, one that deserves top rating except for the qualification (for historians) that such a large part of the text was necessarily written from an old timer's memory. All the same, both scholars and we enthusiasts are lucky to have it. Great reading.

Mr. Rosen, who passes himself off as a native Charlestonian (after a mere three generations) should stick to practicing law. The book is attractive enough, almost indistinguishable from the Time-Life books that could be its template. It is, unfortunately a politically correct, polemical treatise on Charleston as the cradle of slavery. In lawyerly fashion, facts are cherry-picked, amplified or ignored to drive home the point. Nullification is predictably underplayed. Is this another indoctrinated Southerner who feels he must 'dance naked before his sins' in order the tell his story or does he really believe this stuff? I'm keeping it for the illustrations, otherwise it would be the first book I have ever returned. What a terrible disappointment. I have been to this great city many times, and my own family spilled blood in her defense at Battery Wagner in 1863. The story of Confederate Charleston deserves a far better story-teller than this!

A wonderful book with pictures you will not find elsewhere. Thoroughly enjoyable before and after our trip to Charleston. A great way to prepare, for the Civil War enthusiast who will travel to this, 'time capsule,' city.

As an avid fan of the Civil War, Charleston in particular, I've read about 40-50 books and I thought I'd read everything I could. I was wrong. This book alone has so many facts that I had never read and pictures I'd never seen. The author really went into detail about the city that I haven't found in any other book.

As someone who has followed John Jakes through his Kent Family Chronicles to the North and South trilogy and the subsequent novels, I found myself a bit disoriented by Charleston.

The book seems hurried and tries to fit so many events and so much history into one novel. And a short novel (by Jakes' standards, at least) at that. I felt that he could have taken more time to unravel the story aspect as opposed to the history aspect of the book.

I don't know if Jakes is starting to wind down but his latest novels are losing the detail and thoroughness that marked his earlier books. It feels like he's coasting. Which is sad considering that Jakes is one of America's premier historical novelists.

I received this book for a gift, and being a great fan of history and a lover of Charleston, it couldn't have been a better choice. This was my first book by John Jakes and I found it quite enjoyable. Yes, the story was light and fluffy in some spots and sappy and melodramatic in others. Yet, it still covered many heavy topics including the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, the division of families over these wars, the horrors of slavery, the abololitionist movement, the destruction of the way of life for the Charleston elite, and the rebuilding of the city. I found it to be a real page turner and couldn't wait to get to the next chapter and the next to find out what happens. My one major complaint about this book is that sometimes events seemed to take place out of order, and in several spots, the story doesn't follow the family trees in the front. Also, as historical fiction, I don't think Jakes can compare with James Michener. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to start North and South real soon.

I love John Jakes' books. I have always found them to be incredibly well researched and deep. Charleston does not disappoint. The characters are interesting and well-rounded. I particularly liked Alex, Edward and Edgar. Mr. Jakes incorporates some little known aspects of the American Revolution, and Civil War into this book. I also liked how he occasionally mentions the Mains from "North & South" in this book.

There were times when the battle details went on too long for me, but over all it is a wonderful book--full of insanity, passion, and interesting parallels from the beginning to the end.

Enjoy!

I did not find this book any more helpful than the Charleston Area 2003 Official Visitors Guide that I ordered for free on the internet (I'd give you the url, but it's not allowed, so do a search). It did offer information on hotels, which the free guide did not. However, the free book gave more information on local events, tours, and sightseeing. This book is not worth the money, get the free one!

This little guide was very helpful in planing my trip to Savannah, Ga and Charleston, SC. Great companion to "The Best Little Map of Savannah, GA" and The Best Little Map of Charleston, SC", also, must haves for vactioning in these two cities.

This was a great portable guide for Savannah. We were only there for 3 days and we went to a number of the restaurants and sites listed. I had also bought Moon Guides' Savannah and Charleston book and it was not as well organized as this guide was. It fit perfect into my little bag also.

A little too in-depth for the casual tourist - and we really like old homes and gardens ! Probably great for architecture or Charleston history buffs. Also, most (95%) of the houses listed are private and not open to the public.

This is a must-have book if you have a love affair with the city of Charleston SC. I lived there for 4.5 years, and I still carry this book with me on trips there.

One of the best features about this book is its layout -- it divides the city into the various historic districts and/or sections, and gives you ten walking tours to take. If you'd like a shorter tour, I suggest the French Quarter or Mazyck-Wraggborough; for a good LONG walk, try the Harleston Village trek. It also gives you points where the city trolleys can pick up passengers.

If you're planning to visit Charleston, then get this book! It will make your stay even more enjoyable!

David Robinson attempts to define the life of Denmark Vessey. Since Vessey is little known, and not much has been written about him, this short book attempts to define what motivated Denmark Vessey to try to lead on of the largest slave rebellions. Good background material about Barbados and Charlestown's links with the slave island. One of the previous reviewers called Vessey a Haitan, but his name indicates origin in the Danish Virgin Islands, as Robertson asserts. Because his origin is so obscure, Robertson puffs up what is known and makes it book length. More research could have led to a more interesting book. However Robertson does shed light on an interesting time in U. S. History.

The more History I read of this Country the more I seem to read about South Carolina. I am not a concentrated reader of The Civil War, and while South Carolina played key roles in that conflict, it also was the locale of a number of additional notable events in this Country's History. If I were to pick one State the approximate vintage of South Carolina, I cannot make a better argument for a single State that was as independently oriented, and that defended its independence from influence outside its borders, and defended it with even greater passion from any Federal influence. To the very present, South Carolina has been expressing the same theme through the issue of what Flag they will fly over their Capital, and who the decision will be made by. A decision was reached, the flag may no longer fly over the Capital, but it shall fly not far from it.

Denmark Vesey's birthplace is unknown contrary to the conflicting commercial reviews. From the book, "It is not confirmable whether Vesey was born in Africa or The West Indies". If there is a consistent thread through the book, it is how much is not known about this man who attempted what would have been a massive Rebellion, Slave in makeup or otherwise composed. This is not to say the book is not well done, quite the contrary. I believe that the documentation achieved by Mr. David Robinson is nothing short of remarkable when the effort to destroy all remnants of the rebellion is considered. The book loses no credibility because we don't know from what tree he was executed, nor where his body was finally buried. These issues are more legend than they will ever be fact, but these issues do not change the heart of the event, and the facts of what took place. Even Mr. Vesey's appearance is unknown except for the most impressionistic of drawings; the man visually is an enigma.

The story as related is brief, 153 pages. But as evidenced by photographs and 40 pages of notes, the Historical detective work was clearly done. The Author presents what he knows, makes very little speculation, and to the extent he does, he places his feelings in a distinct chapter, "A Personal Conclusion".

Staying away from the story so as not to spoil it, there was however an aspect of the South in 1822 that I had never read about in such detail. There were not 2 groups, there were many. Slaves, freed slaves like Mr. Vesey, and very defined and distinct groups among the black and white Communities. The distinctions amongst the people that Vesey wished to lead were the same that lead to his rebellions defeat.

It is necessarily a brief story unless more information comes to light. With the material at hand and the documentation the Author found, I believe he did a very credible job of relating a relatively unknown event in our History.

The question of what would have happened had Vesey succeeded, and the implications on this Country are not to be found in the book, nor do I believe it would be appropriate for such counter-factual debate to be placed in a Historical work. The "what if" scenarios are varied and certainly would have been momentous. However History did not take place as Mr. Vesey planned, and the historical record was systematically destroyed to the extent possible.

What is important is that Denmark Vesey and other leaders like him take their place in our Historical record. Whether positive, negative, or aborted, events like these must be recounted or our History is incomplete.

The subject of Denmark Vesey and his slave revolt is interesting and required reading for anyone who desires to know what pre Civil War America was like. The book does an excellant job generally describing the interaction of slaves and masters in 1820's South Carolina; espically in how slaves dealt with their opression. However, the book falls short in the specifics of planning and failure of Vesey's revolt. This could be because the information is scanty, but the book left me with the feeling that there was more.

Vesey organized a revolt that if sucessful would have devestated Charleston, including the massacre of the white population. How Vesey came so close to suceeding is not adequately discussed. It is left to generalizations.

On the whole the book is very worthwhile reading. However, it is only a start and suceeds in wetting ones appetite.

Unfortunately, this woman knows very, very little about tea but persists in writing about it. Her editor seems to know very little about good writing - these books with flat characters and poor plots keep getting published.

Spend your money on a packet of good tea instead of this book and you will be far happier in the long run.

I didn't actively dislike this book, but I came close. As another reviewer noted, the characters all seemed one-dimensional and silly, and the mystery, such as it was, wasn't all that puzzling.

What made this a less than average mystery was the way Theo went about unraveling the mystery. She puts forth ideas that at best could be called unlikely (and at worst ridiculous), and no one calls her on it. Everyone she talks to seems to agree with her, even when she's putting forth something that is at base a physical impossibility.

I really enjoyed the first two in this series and had high expectations for this one. I was disappointed.

This was an enjoyable read. Laura Childs delivers yet again a wonderful cosy setting with descriptions of different teas and desserts to make your mouth water. The characters are great and everything is so lighthearted that it makes me happy to read her books.

The only drawback is the mystery itself. I was able to guess the identity of the cat burglar long before the ending and the plot is slow throughout the book. Then again this is not meant to be a thriller. The beautiful setting, the teashop atmostphere and the delightful characters more than make up for the flat mystery.

If you love cosy mysteries, Laura Childs Tea Shop Mystery Series is a MUST READ.

I read constantly and seldom have I encountered a more repellent group of characters. I had to read the entire book for a book club (or I would have tossed it away after 50 pages), and found myself hoping for a plague, a nuclear holocaust, anything to remove such repulsive people. Vain, apathetic, stupid, cruel, selfish...it's difficult to care about a book when you despise ALMOST all of the characters. Even Iris had her moments of cruelty. I wonder why the author created them and hope they're not based on real people. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.

i loved this book, especially the characterization of Alice. She makes me feel normal, with her strange outbursts and feelings. She's a woman who goes by omens, including what's carved by strangers' fingernails on a frozen package of chicken. She strangely salivates as she picks at her daughter's head for scalp buildup. This isn't all what the story's about, but i just couldn't put the book down. Josephine makes each of the three characters a star for one chapter, so you can really get inside their heads and receive information that the other characters don't know. It's about hope and despair and human relationships, the darkness of marriage and the light at the end of it. I loved how Alice follows Claire around, almost stalking her that way, like the wife does with the other woman. i like how she smokes just as it gets dark, when she feels the most despair. i really related to alice. i think josephine is a very gifted writer.