The Swamp Fox of the Revolution

by Stewart H. Holbrook
Available from Amazon
*****
Forget about history being boring. This book brings Francis Marion and his campaigns to life like an adventure story. We start off in his camp on Snow Island, and see his men carry out their guerilla type missions from there. We meet the men he fought with, and learn about the men he fought against. We travel to all the places where Marion was involved in the South Carolina campaigns, and see the scenery. Most of all, we follow Francis Marion, and see the brilliant daring and heart of kindness that makes a hero.

The author combined his history and descriptions to make this nothing more than true history, but to make the people, places and events memorable. A great book by itself, a good biography, and a wonderful history tool.

This is number 90 in the Landmark Series, designed to teach important history to children. Children will certainly enjoy the reading, but adults wanting to learn a little more about different areas of history will find Landmarks easy to breeze through. Not in depth studies, but with more information than the average person knows about the subjects, including Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox of the Revolution.

Against the Tide: The Valor of Margaret Wilson

by Hope Irvin Marston
Available from Amazon
****
When I saw the title of this book, I knew I needed it. I recognized the heroine as one of the two Margarets martyred together on the Solway Firth. I enjoyed the book very much. The author brought the period to life, and showed the fear and courage of the “killing times”, when one’s life was not much safer at home than abroad.

The book begins when Margaret was very young, and tells of the few years of maturing she had before her betrayal and martyrdom. Knowing the tragic but glorious end makes each part of Margaret’s life more poignant.

There is a little romance between Margaret and a close neighbor, with three mentions of “innocent kisses.” Fergus eventually asks Margaret to marry him and flee to Ireland, but Margaret believed she should stay single, though she loved him very much. I don’t know whether this is actual history, but it fits nicely in the book.

One thing that did trouble me was the portrayal of Margaret’s disobedience to her father, and her arguing with him in front of the family. I do understand that her conscience dictated that she not go to the church meeting with her family, but rather meet secretly with true believers. Also Margaret’s father is shown as not being able to choose between his cattle and his Saviour, when he was trying to protect his family. Even though they were not being fed at the state church, he went to protect his family, and he did teach them the Scriptures at home. I’m not saying his decision was the best one or not; it’s hard to tell what someone should or should not do when you’ve never been in their shoes. Also, Margaret’s determination to separate from her father’s authority caused her two younger siblings to follow her example, which was a good example except in the way she treated her father. And I do realize that this is historically accurate. I just wish Margaret might have been portrayed showing her father more respect.

Altogether, I would recommend this book, and will keep it on my shelf and read it again. I really appreciate the author’s work, and am happy that a book has been written for young girls about Margaret Wilson.

A Child Is Born

by Lennart Nilsson
Available from Amazon
****

I really enjoyed reading through this book, which is the 1977 edition (I have not seen the later editions). The photos on nearly every page are great enhancements to the information, from conception to fetal development, parental adjustment and preparation, birth, and immediately postpartum. The photos of the unborn growing child at different stages were particularly spectacular! Many things about the pregnancy from the biology to how the mama can expect to feel are discussed in an easy reading style. There is nudity in some of the pictures, obviously in the context of childbirth, and some evolutionary propaganda is included in the beginning. Even so, I would highly recommend this book to expectant parents.

Hunted and Harried

by R. M. Ballantyne
Available through Vision Forum and Amazon
*****

Young Will Wallace (not to be confused with the Scottish hero William Wallace) is first seen as the book opens as a dragoon under the command of Claverhouse. Appalled by the atrocities he has seen, he feels very uncomfortable with their mission to find and persecute the Covenanters. Will, however, considers that this wanton cruelty is done by the wish of evil men, and that surely the commanders would also be horrified. He is soon enlightened. On a mission to locate one of the Covenanting preachers, he attacks his companion when the man attempts to insult one of the Christian girls they meet. After realizing the way his commanders would view this act, Will deserts the king’s employ.

While Will is considering his next course of action, as an unemployed and soon-to-be wanted man, he captured as a spy by the very man he had been hunting. His defense of the man’s daughter is soon made known, and he joins the Covenanters.

Over the next few years, we live alongside Will, as he believes in Christ, attends meetings, aids in the escape of others, and witnesses the martyrdom of his friends. We are given a picture of the Covenanters’ lives, perpetually hunted from place to place, not knowing whom to trust, and seeing their dear ones killed. For what? For the lordship of Christ. For declaring that He alone, and not the king, is the head of the church.

This is learning history the easy way, through an engaging story. We are drawn in the very lives of these people who suffered so long ago. This book makes a great story by itself, but for studying Scotland and the Covenanters, it should be on every educator’s history shelf.

The Mystery of the Indian Carvings

by Gloria Repp
Available from Amazon
****
Julie knew she wasn’t wanted at home. At least, her stepmother didn’t want her there. She was sent to Uncle Nate on Canadian Bartlett Island; maybe he would let her stay for the summer. Julie hoped so: it was either that or some camp.

When she arrived, no one was there to meet her, and when a friendly islander did take her to her uncle’s pier, a frosty welcome from her aunt and cousin Karin only increased her nervousness. Karin obviously disliked Julie from the beginning, and did her best to get her into trouble. Julie does make friends, and learns something of her uncle’s work and research. Her uncle trusts her enough to tell her of his secret tutoring of a young Indian boy, Robert. Uncle Nate told Julie that her aunt and cousin wouldn’t be happy if they heard of it, so she kept her information to herself. Her aunt didn’t ask too many questions anyway. She seemed very anxious, and with her sullen daughter, the home wasn’t a happy place for Julie to spend time. She stayed away from the nosy “reporter” that arrived at the same time she did. There seemed to be something fishy about her.

When Julie came to Bartlett Island, she was a brand new Christian. She used to have a fiery temper, but her Bible told her that God was not pleased with her anger. She turned to Jesus Christ in her uncomfortable and sometimes frightening situations, and He gave her comfort, peace and direction. Julie prayed for a love for her cousin, and the Lord even gave her that, as difficult as it was.

In the midst of the tangled relationships, Julie becomes involved in a confused adventure. In the end, everything is made plain; the mystery is solved, Uncle Nate realizes he has neglected his daughter, his wife and daughter understand his love for them, and Julie is accepted into the family for the summer.