'North and South' is an American television miniseries set before, during, and immediately after the American Civil War. It was based on the 1980s trilogy of novels North and South by John Jakes and follows its general storyline, despite some deviations. The three series were produced in 1985, 1986, and 1994 and follow the novels quite closely, although there are considerable differences, especially in Book Two. All three series (called "books") aired on the ABC-TV network in the United States. The first two series, entitled Books I and II, were an enormous success with audiences and critics, and remain among the highest-rated television miniseries in history. However, Book III, which aired eight years after Book II, was poorly received by both critics and audiences. Many of the actors in Books I and II did not appear in Book III.North and South is about the enduring friendship that develops between two young men that meet as cadets at West Point Military Academy in the 1840s. One of... more