The Kent Family Chronicles facts for kids
The Kent Family Chronicles (also known as The American Bicentennial Series) is a collection of eight exciting novels written by John Jakes. These books were created to celebrate a very special event: the 200th birthday of the Declaration of Independence of the United States.
These novels became incredibly popular, selling millions of copies! In fact, John Jakes was the first author to have three of his books – The Rebels, The Seekers, and The Furies – on The New York Times bestseller list all in the same year, 1975.
The stories follow different members of the Kent family. They connect the family's adventures with important historical events, especially during the American Revolution. The first book starts just before the Revolution. It introduces a Frenchman named Phillipe Charboneau. He travels to England and then to the New World, changing his name to Philip Kent. Along his journey, he meets many famous people from the Revolution, like the Marquis de Lafayette, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, and Joseph Warren. The series finishes many generations later in 1890, with the death of Gideon Kent in the book The Americans. The author originally planned for the series to cover 200 years, ending in 1976.
The first two novels in the series were made into TV movies in 1978 and 1979. Both movies starred Andrew Stevens as Philip Kent. The third book was also made into a TV movie in 1979, starring Randolph Mantooth as Philip's son, Abraham Kent.
What Are The Kent Family Chronicles About?
The Kent Family Chronicles tell the story of one family, the Kents, through many years of American history. Each book focuses on different family members. They live through important times and meet real historical figures. It's a great way to learn about the past while enjoying an adventure.
How Many Books Are In The Series?
There are eight books in The Kent Family Chronicles. Each one tells a part of the Kent family's journey. They cover a long period of time in American history.
List of Books in The Kent Family Chronicles
- The Bastard (published in 1974)
- The Rebels (published in 1975)
- The Seekers (published in 1975)
- The Furies (published in 1976)
- The Titans (published in 1976)
- The Warriors (published in 1977)
- The Lawless (published in 1978)
- The Americans (published in 1979)
