The Hornet's Nest by Jimmy Carter (2003, Hardcover)

I bought this book because I am a writer working on a historical novel--which is also my favorite genre to read--and because, as a book collector, I wanted to own this particular title. I couldn't get very far into it. Although I have no doubt it was carefully researched (which I respect), unfortunately, the story displays many pitfalls of amateur fiction writing and, for me, proved a boring read. It is grammatical and correct but lacks style and the spark of creativity, the passion with which a good storyteller infects his audience and keeps us turning the pages. With all respect to the author, I can't help thinking that this novel would not have been published, given today's tough book market, if it had not been written by a former president.