We are still continuing our study of the history and literature of the United States of America… It seems to be an ongoing, never ending subject. Actually – I have really enjoyed the history (once I got myself into it!) and found the history of our country to be just as intriguing (perhaps more so) than that of the European countries – with the exception of Scotland… I love Scotland! :) Nearly a year ago a friend of mine suggested I read the book “See Here, Private Hargrove” by Marion Hargrove. (it was the same person who suggested I read “Private Yankee Doodle”) His description made me interested – and skeptical – but when his sister offered to lend me the book, I accepted and began reading it shortly after. I liked the book so much that I flipped through it a second time and am now reading it to Bethany. As per request, here is my review…

Edward Thomas Marion Lawton Hargrove, Jr. was born on October 13 1919 in North Carolina, USA and dies from complications of pneumonia on August 23, 2003 at the age of 84. He was the father of six children. He was the author of a couple of books and several screenplays in his lifetime including the ever popular “The Music Man” with Robert Preston and episodes of the old western TV show favorite “Maverick”.

“See Here, Private Hargrove” was first published in 1942 by Henry Holt and Company. The copy I read was published the following year (1943) by The Sun Dial Press. It is divided into 71 sections, each containing a story or “vignette” that stand alone, yet with the others. This book is 211 pages long.

In “See Here, Private Hargrove” Marion Hargrove, writer for the “Charlotte News” is drafted into the army around the time of World War II. In this book he journals his supposed experiences at Fort Bragg. From KP to rifle cleaning, trash can painting to fertilizing plants, Private Hargrove always seemed to make a tale out of everything! His perpetual forgetfulness and his aptitude to not follow orders, gets him into trouble – all woven into a comedic tale filled with sarcasm and half hearted complaints.

I enjoyed this book a lot and found it very entertaining. On a cautionary note: this book does contain some vulgar language, otherwise it is an excellent book to read!

To the KING be all the glory!

It’s been so long since I posted one… I simply haven’t been in the mood for writing them lately and now I’m so far behind – that it’s a daunting task to even think about trying to catch up!! I thought I would post a list of the books that I have read since my last review with no particular intentions of reviewing them but if there is one that you would like me to review, just let me know and I’ll do my best to comply as soon as possible. I may still review some of them on my own too – we’ll see… So the list of what I have read in the last four/five/maybe six months:

John Adams (A splendid book!! I loved it!)
See Here, Private Hargrove (Another good book!)
The first seven books of the Love Comes Softly series (Pretty good.)
Mr. Revere and I (A children’s book that I was not overly fond of.)
For the Temple (A really good Henty Book)
A Christmas Carol (To my siblings – Already reviewed it!)
Ishmael (To my siblings – Another good book!)
Calico Bush (Another children’s book – It was alright)
Nourishing Traditions (For my herb/nutrition studies. Highly recommended!)

So… I guess part of my problem is that there are a few books on this list that I just – don’t want to review. The children’s books I read (they weren’t worth a review!) and the “Love Comes Softly” series, which though I liked, I don’t really want to review… Hmm… I might review a few of these… Are there any you all want to hear about?

To the KING be all the glory!

For our study of the American Revolution, I read “1776” by David McCullough to Bethany. Due to lack of consistency in our reading times, it took us a very long time to get through it but we recently managed to finish.

David McCullough is a contemporary author, born in Pennsylvania in July of 1933. He is married and the father of five children. He has written several books about history including “John Adams” and “Mornings on Horseback”.

“1776” was published in 2005. The book that I read was published by Simon and Schuster in 2007. The actual book is 243 pages. Being the “illustrated edition” this book is unique by having copies of many of the original source documents in envelopes, between the pages. From letters by George Washington to the original printing of the Declaration of Independence, General Howe’s reports to those in charge in England, the copies are of immense interest (with transcriptions in the back of the book, for those who can’t read the handwriting on the copies).

“1776” is a minute account of the Revolutionary war during the same year. Based entirely on original documents and letters, Mr. McCullough writes with animation and interest. Beginning in the end of 1775, he follows events, ending with an American victory at the end of 1776. From the Battle of Bunker Hill to crossing the Delaware at night and surprising the Hessians, the movements of the two armies are fully documented.

I liked this book very much and enjoyed reading it. I liked how Mr. McCullough, showed both sides of the war. He constantly showed the American’s perspective and the English perspective regarding the same matters.

I would highly recommend this book!

To the KING be all the glory!

While studying the American Revolution, a friend suggested that I read “Private Yankee Doodle” by Joseph Plumb Martin. It sounded interesting and it was cheap so I decided to buy it. The day it arrived I read a page or two but it failed to really capture my attention. A few weeks later, I decided to really try to read it – and I was pleasantly surprised! The book was interesting and captivating. I finished the book some time ago now, but I am just getting around to writing the review …

“Private Yankee Doodle was first published in the year 1830 by Hallowell, Main under the very long title: “A Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier, Interspersed with Anecdotes of Incidents That Occurred Within His Own Observation”. When it was republished in 1962 George Sheere renamed it “Private Yankee Doodle” a name much shorter and easier to remember. The book has nine chapters and 294 pages

“Private Yankee Doodle” is the autobiographical account of a private in the colonial army during the American Revolution. Joseph Martin was fifteen years old when he enlisted for a single campaign. When he was sixteen he enlisted again and remained in the army until the end of the war in 1783. As an old man, Mr. Martin related his sufferings and adventures for the young people in his neighborhood by publishing them in this book.

I am not sure that I had a favorite part of “Private Yankee Doodle”  – I enjoyed the entire book very much and I would highly recommend it.

To the KING be all the glory!

I kept meaning to write this review sooner, as we finished reading this book some time ago  but I have been so busy that I could never seem to remember. Finally, however, here is the review for “In the Heart of the Rockies” by G. A. Henty.

George Alfred Henty was an Englishman who lived from December 8, 1832 – November 16, 1902. He was a married man with children. Mr. Henty was the author of at least 144 books, many of which, if not all, are written to impart real history to the reader. His works include “Captain Bayley‘s Heir”, “The Cat of Bubastes” and “With Lee in Virginia”. For reasons best known to himself, Mr. Henty chose to use his first initials and his last name for a pen name thus becoming known as “G. A. Henty”.

“In the Heart of the Rockies” was first published by Blackie and Son in 1895. Some friends of ours were kind enough to let me borrow this book from their library, so that I could read it to my sisters. The book I read was a hardcover copy, published by Robinson Books in 2002. This book contains 19 chapters and 353 pages.

“In the Heart of the Rockies – A Story of Adventure in Colorado” commences with a young man of sixteen, living in England with his sisters. Since they are recently orphaned, they must find a means of supporting themselves but there is very little that the boy can do for a living. It is therefore decided that he should go to his uncle in America. There he can earn his living and his uncle can fulfill his promise to “make a man” out of young Tom. Accordingly, Tom Wade sets sail for the Untied States and so begin his adventures. From living in a makeshift hut buried by snow, to gold digging to Indian chases and rafting down the hitherto unexplored Grand Canyon, Tom is always experiencing something new.

My favorite part of this book was the perseverance and ingenuity portrayed by the main characters.

I would recommend this book to a Henty lover but I would not suggest it to a first time Henty reader as it lacks some of the color and intensity of most of his other works. I did, however, enjoy it.

To the KING be all the glory!