The Giant of the North

by R.M. Ballantyne

Available from Vision Forum and Amazon

***

Although the adventure, wit and Christian emphasis in this book are just as satisfactory as many of Ballantyne's other books, this has been my least favorite so far. For one thing it's not quite factual, exploring the discovery of the North Pole before it actually happened. It's very interesting, but that's interesting conjecture. Also there is plenty of the kindly condescension toward Eskimos and the black "wooly" cook. The Eskimo hero is considered, however, to be unusually noble and intelligent. He warmly embraces the Gospel, which is clearly expounded to him. I realize, also, that this condescension is a Christian attitude of Ballantyne's time. Other than these objections I enjoyed this Arctic adventure.

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.

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.