[In North and South] Jakes describes the tumultuous tearing years that lead to the war between the states. He thus highlights, through the lives of … two families, the most poignant aspect of our Civil War. The book is a feat of research. The characters, both fictional and real, make this era seem almost current. This is historical novel writing at its best.

Anne G. Adler, in a review of "North and South," in Library Journal (reprinted from Library Journal, February 15, 1982; published by R. R. Bowker Co. (a Xerox company); copyright © 1982 by Xerox Corporation), Vol. 107, No. 4, February 15, 1982, p. 473.