Picture an American storyteller who spun history into gold, bringing the drama of the Revolution and Civil War to life—meet John Jakes! Known as 'the godfather of the historical novel,' Jakes captivated millions with his sweeping sagas, blending meticulous research with heart-pounding narratives. His books didn’t just sell—they became cultural touchstones, adapted into TV miniseries that glued families to their screens.
Born in Chicago in 1932, Jakes’s journey from pulp magazines to bestseller lists is as epic as his tales. Let’s dive into the life, works, and legacy of a writer who made history feel like a front-row seat to adventure.
The Making of John Jakes
John William Jakes grew up in a Chicago household where his mother, a teacher, fueled his love for reading. As a kid, he devoured pulp magazines, dreaming of crafting his own stories. By 18, while studying at Northwestern University, he sold his first short story for $25—a paycheck that changed his life. He later earned a creative writing degree from DePauw University in 1953 and a master’s in American literature from Ohio State. Jakes juggled advertising jobs by day and writing by night, churning out sci-fi, fantasy, and westerns for pulp magazines. In 1971, he took a leap, quitting his job to write full-time, setting the stage for his historical epics.
John Jakes’s Unforgettable Stories
Jakes hit the jackpot with The Kent Family Chronicles, an eight-book saga launched in 1974 to celebrate America’s Bicentennial. Following the Kent family through the Revolutionary War, it sold 55 million copies, blending real historical figures like Benjamin Franklin with fictional drama. Readers couldn’t get enough of titles like The Bastard and The Rebels, which brought gritty, human stories to the founding of America.
His North and South Trilogy (1982–1987) tackled the Civil War, focusing on two families—the slave-owning Mains and the industrialist Hazards. With 10 million copies sold and a star-studded ABC miniseries featuring Patrick Swayze, it became a cultural phenomenon. Jakes’s secret sauce? Deep research paired with soap-opera flair—think betrayals, romances, and battlefield heroics. He also penned Homeland and American Dreams, part of The Crown Family Saga, tracing German immigrants in 20th-century Chicago, and Charleston, a 2002 bestseller revisiting the Revolution and Civil War.
His style was unapologetically bold: big casts, vivid historical detail, and emotional stakes that kept pages turning. While critics sometimes sniffed at his lack of poetic prose, fans adored his ability to make history accessible and thrilling.
Why John Jakes Matters
Jakes didn’t just write books; he taught America its history. His novels inspired readers to dig into the past, sparking curiosity about the Revolution and Civil War. The TV adaptations brought his stories to new audiences, making characters like Orry Main household names. With 16 consecutive New York Times bestsellers and honors like the National Cowboy Hall of Fame’s Western Heritage Literary Award, Jakes proved historical fiction could be both popular and profound. His work paved the way for modern historical novelists, earning him the title 'America’s history teacher.'
- Born: March 31, 1932, Chicago, Illinois
- Key Works: The Kent Family Chronicles, North and South Trilogy, Homeland, Charleston
- Awards: Western Heritage Literary Award (1995), South Carolina Academy of Authors (1996)
- Fun Fact: Jakes wrote under pseudonyms like Jay Scotland and even adapted A Christmas Carol for the stage!
About John Jakes
Ready to time-travel with a master storyteller? Snag North and South or The Bastard and dive into John Jakes’s epic historical adventures!