Jakes's Bicentennial series follows several generations as the families become part of America's history. The Furies (1976) shows how the Kent family lives through the days of the Wild West. The Titans (1976) deals with the turbulence of the Civil War, whereas The Warriors (1977) depicts the postCivil War period. The Lawless (1978) covers labor unions and their struggle for acceptance. The Americans (1980), which deals with aspects of American life ranging from immigration to practicing medicine in the slums of New York, concludes the panorama.

Shortly after the publication of the Kent Family Chronicles, Jakes created a trilogy which, like its predecessor, is historical fiction. Unlike the Bicentennial series, which appeared in paperback, North and South (1982), the first of the trilogy, appears in hardcover. Similar to his preceding works, North and South is set during the pre-Civil War days and intertwines the stories of true personalities with fictional characters.

North...