Back Bay 498

by William Martin

Book Overview

The powerful Pratts have searched for generations for a lost family possession--a breathtaking Paul Revere treasure. A centuries-spanning tale of romance, greed, lust, and murder reissued to tie-in with the paperback release of Martin's latest bestseller Cape Cod, featured above.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0517536021
• ISBN13: 9780517536025
• Release Date: January 1979
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 437 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.

Customer Reviews

BACK BAY redux

With HARVARD YARD, William Martin's current bestseller, still fresh in my mind, I decided to re-visit an old friend, his first book, BACK BAY. I wanted to re-acquaint myself with the younger Peter Fallon and the Kennedy-esque Pratt family, whose 'march across the 19th century,' as Martin explains, was 'a parade as sweeping, in its own way, as Sherman's march to the sea.' I wanted to once again walk the streets of that old Boston through Martin's eyes and imagination. And, of course, I wanted to re-join Peter Fallon's quest for the Paul Revere Golden Eagle Tea Set, lost to the Madisons when they left Washington. My re-visit was every bit as enjoyable as the first time around, about a quarter century ago, when BACK BAY was first published. That it is still in print, so many years later, attests to the popularity of this effort. William Martin writes enduring stories with enduring characters while ably illuminating the history of the times. If, by chance, the recent HARVARD YARD was your first of Martin's books, don't miss the opportunity to pick up BACK BAY and start from the beginning. It's a very good place to start!

The test of time

I read this gripping saga when it was first published some 20 years ago. Since then, I've recommended it to friends and to newcomers to Boston. Recently, I bought a copy at a local library sale and began to re-read it. I am as caught up in it now as I was all those years ago when I first read it. Martin's "Back Bay" does withstand the test of time. The story is cleverly told by the use of flashback. The reader learns the secret and the mystery of the Pratt family early in the book but must wait for the revelation and solution along with the characters who live in the 20th century. The story is a marvelous blend of fact and fiction and is a must read for anyone who loves Boston, history, and mystery. I would also recommend, as a companion book, Walter Muir Whitehill's topographical history of Boston.

From Southie to Brahman

William Martin takes his place as the premier historical novelist of our generation. He capably wears the mantle passed down from Michener as story telling historian. He makes us want to learn history. His stories are living entities not a collection of memorized dates. Back Bay carries on the tradition of Cape Cod in both educating and entertaining the reader. This is an art he has refined in Annnapolis and Citizen Washington. While I loved Michener, I often found his introduction a bit laborious. Martin immediately immerses the reader in the story and pulls you along with such compelling force that one rarely knows when to one can take a break. Having live in Boston, I learned more intwo days of reading than in the 3 years of living. From South Boston to the Commons and Beacon Hill, this story brings one of America's first cities alive. The city is the main character.

A great historical mystery

unfolds through the clever use of past history with present day characters. It's a mystery based on missing treasure, originaly stolen from The White House just before the British burned it in 1814. It remains hidden and the facts from the past intertwine with modern characters. It has greed, power, lust, murder, and mystery all in one excitingnovel. Martin's scenes of old Boston are a wonder. I can't say more about the plot without ruining it foryou, but I will say this book deserves more than the 5 stars they will allow me

One of my all-time favorites!

I read the book in just three sittings because I couldn't put it down! I was tempted to go to Boston and look for the treasure myself! It was great to see the tea set make a guest appearance in Martin's "Annapolis"! If you're just getting into reading historical fiction, or have been reading it for years, this is a great book to add to your collection! "Cape Cod" is right up there with it! Lots of history and lots of mystery!