The Pirate City:An Algerine Tale

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

A merchant and his two sons leave Sicily on a voyage, and are taken captive by a pirate from Algiers. They are enslaved, and during their many exciting adventures, we learn of the way of life in the pirate city. There is plenty of history included, along with some of the terrible ways of enforcing discipline which were used. Our main characters behave nobly, rise and fall in favor with the Deys (title of the king of Algiers), and eventually make their escape when all the slaves in Algiers were freed by the British.

I appreciate the fact that Ballantyne’s historical adventures are explicitly Christian. In this one, the gospel is presented to a dying man in the slaves’s prison.

Until reading this book, I had no idea about much of the history of Algiers, and this book was an easy and exciting way to learn.

One Woman Against the Reich

by Helmut W. Ziefle
Available from Amazon
*****

This is a timely book for today. Maria Ziefle was a strong Christian woman, and was very concerned about the Nazi influence on her family. As they dealt with the Hitler Youth, Nazi neighbors, the draft, horrors of war, pressures from “the Party”, the heartache of seeing so much wickedness, and so much more, Maria prayed that their family would remain alive and faithful to God.

Today in America we do not live with the horrors the Ziefle family faced. But as our culture becomes more Godless, our children can innocently be drawn into it, just as Kurt was attracted to the Hitler Youth. Parents must be vigilant in prayer and in teaching their children what is good and right and honoring to God. This woman’s story will be an encouragement for many parents. Especially as the book was written by her son.

Everything was not ideal in the Ziefle family. Georg was not the family’s spiritual leader; his wife was. Everyone may not agree with certain stands they chose to make, but ideal families exist only in fiction, and to agree with everything in a book, we must write it ourselves.

Many photographs are included throughout the book of the people and places described. The story unfolds in an easy way, although the events make for less than easy thoughts as we comfortably read about the Ziefle’s struggles. The war is not the focus, but rather the experiences of a Christian German family who did not support the Nazis. Readers of all ages will enjoy this biography, but parents in particular will be blessed by the account of a woman who fought for her family.

Love Notes On His Pillow

And Other Everyday Ways to Keep Your Love Alive
by Linda Gilden
Available from Amazon
*****

What is a love note? Sometimes it’s just a sweet little note that says “I love you, Sweetheart”, but it could be quite different. Linda Gilden describes lots of other ways to say “I love you” on paper and by other means. She also explores many other places to leave a love than a pillow. There are many stories in each chapter of couples who communicated a message of love in various tender and meaningful ways.

Although the author is a Christian, this is not a book about Christianity or the Christian marriage; it rather deals with a fun and practical side of marriage. There is a chapter on using Scripture in love notes, which I consider very helpful. A few verses are sprinkled through the pages, but even so, I believe any couple, Christian or not, would enjoy this book.

This is a book not to read through in one sitting, but rather to read a little, mark with a little flag, and try a suggestion before reading on. I enjoyed this book very much, and it has helped to enrich our marriage by giving both of us new ideas of expressing thoughtfulness and love. I recommend it to every couple, whether newlyweds or grandparents!

To Have and To Hold

By Mary Johnston
Edited by Joshua and Sarah Wean
Available from Vision Forum and Amazon
*****

This is one of the most captivating novels I’ve read in a long time. Originally published in 1907 for the Jamestown tercentennial, it was republished last year for the four hundredth birthday of the Jamestown settlement. Appropriately, the setting is colonial Jamestown. Several history characters are introduced and become a part of the story. James Rolfe is the best friend of the story’s hero. A good writer can bring readers to laughter and tears, and Mary Johnston does both. The story has been revised by Joshua and Sarah Wean. Whatever you may be looking for in a novel, from romance, adventure, intrigue, history, forgiveness, repentance, and the mercy of God, this book has it all.

Captain Ralph Percy is our hero, and a hero worthy of the name. He goes into Jamestown at the suggestion of a friend, who had informed him that he ought to take a wife. Many single young ladies were just arriving from England to be wives of the settlers, so the present time was an excellent opportunity. Captain Percy is a gentleman, and delivers a lovely young woman from being insulted. She accepted his marriage proposal on the spot. He is a Christian gentleman, and vows to love, cherish, and protect his wife with his life, though it’s little she seems to care about it. Throughout the book, Percy battles hostile Indians, Spaniards, haughty English nobles, his wife’s indifference to him, and his own natural desire for revenge, to eventually win his heart’s desire. He constantly affirms and follows through with his duty, even through the many dangerous and precarious situations it brings him to. At last when he can conquer his bitterest enemy, he cannot bring himself to kill him as it would displease and dishonor God.

This book is definitely to be highly recommended for the storyline, never mind the excellent history content. Boys and girls of all ages will relish the adventure, admire a clear picture of a valiant, Godly man, and respect a woman who chooses truth, honor and love.

The Doctors Who Conquered Yellow Fever

by Ralph Nading Hill
Available from Amazon
****
Doctors Walter Reed, William Gorgas, and Carlos Finlay come to life in this easy to read exploration of the fight against Yellow Jack. We see glimpses of Walter Reed’s young life and his early quest to become a doctor. His army career follows and before long we see the grim face of Yellow Jack. Reed searches for a cause, and finally proves to the world that the mosquito is the carrier of the dread disease. Heroic volunteers willing contract the disease in the journey to conquer yellow fever. Some of the researchers give the ultimate sacrifice of their lives to finding an answer. We follow Dr. Gorgas through Havana and Panama in his war against the mosquito, and see his final success. Yellow fever is eventually discovered to be caused by a virus, and a vaccine is produced. Today, the world no longer lives in dread of yellow fever thanks to the tireless effort and sacrifice of these great men.

This is a great resource for children, although it is also perfect for adults wanting to learn about the fight against yellow fever without having to study a comprehensive work on the subject. It is number 78 in the Landmark Series.