The Captives

by Emma Leslie

available from Amazon

*****

The ancient Britons considered themselves free and noble, scorning the idea of being Roman subjects. But the cruel bondage of the Druid elders was far worse than any the Romans could inflict. While Guntra struggles with a tragic choice, her defiant son meets a Roman soldier in the woods. The Roman, curiously, claimed not to worship the gods of his countrymen, but "the Lord who dwells in heaven, and not in temples of hands." Jugurtha, the Briton lad, was amused to learn that the Roman worshipped the God of the whole earth who "is not cruel like your forest spirits; He is the God of love and kindness." What power could shuch an effeminate god wield? Love was of all things an emotion to be despised and smothered. But the Roman was to show that love and kindness had far more power than the dread of the Druids. It did not take long for such sunshine to melt reserves of hatred and anger. Will Guntra be able to save both her children's lives? Can Jugurtha reconcile his fierce patriotism with his new faith? What would God have him to do, and can he get that past the Roman conquerors?

This story brings Christ and His work to one of my favorite settings. Emma Leslie gives us a touching, fast-paced adventure where the love of Christ is made preeminent.

Twelve Youthful Martyrs

by Esther E. Enock
Available from Keepers of the Faith and Amazon
****

I read this book aloud to my husband in the car, and we both marveled at the constancy which these martyrs held to the Lord Jesus. Most of the characters were under 20, and the sweet simplicity with which they refused to deny their Lord touched our hearts and made us wonder if we would be as faithful. We have the same wonderful Savior, and we may one day be called to suffer for His sake. These held Him precious, and as He had saved them and given them new life, they could not turn from Him, whatever the consequences. Their witness proclaimed that they knew Someone worth more than life, and that their lives would be far richer with Him than on this earth. The eternal glow of their lives and deaths puts so many things of this world into their proper perspectives.

This book was well researched, and the author gives detailed names, places and dates in these short accounts. Each story is just a couple pages, and the whole book only numbers 63 pages. Although this was obviously written for children, adults will also be glad to read the testimonies of these young martyrs who “loved not their lives unto death."

Hostage Lands

by Douglas Bond
Available from Amazon
*****

Fifteen-year-old Neil Perkins lived a reasonably good life. He lived on Hostage Heath, a farm near Hadrian’s Wall in northern England, and his parents let him go where he please on his four-wheeler, as long as he accomplished his chores. Yes, he had a good life, except for his Latin classes with the ridiculous Miss Klitsa. Perhaps she would have been better off teaching a drama class.

After wrecking his four-wheeler near the Wall, Neil finds a spearhead and packet of tablets in the hole he made in landing. The tablets were all written upon, and in Latin, no less! He took them to Miss Klitsa and asked what they said, but she was too much of a teacher to tell him.

All of this merely serves as the introduction to the tale which Neil laboriously translated. The epic tale of Celts and Romans scheming, spying, fighting and dying around Hadrian’s Wall is reminiscent of the tales spun by Rosemary Sutcliff. We follow the centurion Rusticus, who must decide where his loyalties lay. The story is well told, and readers will hold their breath, instead of easily guessing the way everything will resolve itself. To make this drama even better than Sutcliff’s, one of these characters, Calum, is a Christian, although he does not proclaim it to everyone he meets. When the Celts sit around the fire at night, and call on him for a story, he tells them, “My tale is of a great King,” and gives the whole gospel. Calum’s service to the Prince of Peace does not however, make him any less valiant a soldier.

The book concludes with Rusticas telling a story of “a great King.” Neil wonders if the whole story is true, and asks questions. Will Neil, will the reader believe the story? What about the tale of “a great King”?

I have always loved Sutcliff’s books, but Hostage Lands ranks even higher on my list. I wish I could give it more stars, and highly recommend it to those 13 and up. Travel back to the misty, dangerous Britain of the Celts, when Romans built their wall, and flaunted their standards. You will learn to think like a Celt, and step quietly behind a tree when you hear footsteps. And maybe you finish this book, and read it again, and give it a place with your favorite Celtic books.

City: A Story of Roman Planning and Construction

by David Macauley
Available from Amazon
*****
In this book, David Macaulay expertly describes and illustrates the construction of the imaginary Roman city of Verbonia. It is based hundreds of real Roman cities built between 300 B.C. and A.D. 150. I was amazed at the planning that went into the city, and the systematic and precise manner that everything was managed. I was fascinated to learn how they built the aqueducts for the city's water supply, even going through hills, and the sewer system underground to keep the city sanitary. The architecture of the forum and baths was so intriguing. Of course, this might be expected from the author of "The Way Things Work"! His detailed drawings are fabulous. This a terrific book for learning about Roman cities in this time period and for studying the way the cities were put together to provide for all the needs of the inhabitants.