What happens when boys play with cannons:
Preparing for Battle!
The Sudden Death strikes terror into the heart of the bravest toy soldiers!
To see an ENN on how to make your cannon shoot thunder go here.
The Charge of the Light Brigade took place during the Battle of Balaclava on October 25, 1854, one hundred and fifty four years ago today, during the Crimean War. The charge itself was led by Lord Cardigan.
G.A. Henty first volunteered for the British Army in 1854 at the beginning of the Crimean War. He was assigned to the Hospital Commissariat. The Commissariat helped to supply food for the staff and patients of the Army. In 1855 he was sent to Crimea. While in Crimea, he learned just how horrible war really was. I have always wondered what Henty's thoughts were about that final "Charge of the Light Brigade."
"Forward, the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Someone had blunder'd:
Their's not to make reply,
Their's not to reason why,
Their's but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.
Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turn'd in air,
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wonder'd:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro' the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reel'd from the sabre stroke
Shatter'd and sunder'd.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell
,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.
Honor the charge they made,
Honor the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred.
By Alfred Tennyson,
Even though I am a girl, I LOVE the Coral Island, and the Gorilla Hunters. I have read both books over and over again. My mom loves his [Ballantyne's] books, too. She's hunted continually for great books for boys to read, and with Ballantyne, she says she hit the jackpot. Thankfully, she lets me read them, too! - Jayne P.
Thats great Jayne! Its always great to hear from people who enjoy Ballantyne. - Joshua
Anyone who has read G.A. Henty's book Bonnie Prince Charlie knows of the songs and ballads which stirred the Scottish nation to "raise the banner of the bonnie Prince." And anyone who has heard Mr. Charlie Zahm sing the ballads of The Young Pretender knows just how stirring the feelings were on both sides of the border. It was said that after the rising of forty-five, Scotland became the "home for lost causes." Sadly, this led to Scotland becoming part of the United Kingdom. On the other hand, the memory of battles won and lost helped the Scots to remember their heritage and identity as they journeyed all over the world.
Ballads of Bravery and ManhoodHere is a song that should be an inspiration to any Scot, or anyone who is a Scot at heart for that matter. You can get this song here from Behemoth.com.
Chorus:
Hatcheen foad'm, foam, foam,
Hatcheen foam, foam, foam,
Hatcheen foam, foam, foam,
Rise and follow Chairlie.
From every hill and every glen,
Are gathering fast the loyal men,
They grasp their dirks and shout again.
Hurrah for Royal Chairlie.
Chorus
On dark Culloden's field of gore,
Hark they shout 'Claymore, Claymore,
They bravely fight what can they more.'
Than die for Royal Chairlie.
Chorus
Now on the barren heath they lie,
Their Funeral Dirge the eagle's cry,
And mountain breezes o'er them sigh,
Wha' fought and died for Chairlie.
Chorus
No more we'll see such deeds again,
Deserted is each highland glen,
And ye lonely cairns are o'er the men,
Wha' fought and died for Chairlie.
Chorus
Note:
"Hatcheen foad'm" in the chorus means "it comes upon me" or "I have the wish."
I have recently found this site and also started learning of Christian authors. I am so impressed with how many there are to chose from. What a great discovery! As the subject line states it is time for "Christian Courage." I recently heard this from a Christian leader and feel like it is time for youth everywhere to gather Christian Courage. And reading these fine Christian influenced authors can give the youth (and adults) that courage to be a Christian in todays world. Keep the faith and keep the courage to do the right. -Chris
Thanks, Chris, for your encouragement. - Joshua Titus
A couple of comments from this week.
I had a question concerning Ballantyne's books. I have never read them, yet was wondering this - what time period are his books set in? Would they be in the 1800's, or an earlier time? Thank you! -G.W.
Thank you for your question. Ballantyne wrote books set in many different times. A lot of his books take place in the mid nineteenth century. But there are some books that take place in other times. The Norsemen in the West is one book that tells about Leif Ericsson who first discovered the North America Continent in the tenth century. So, Ballantyne wrote about many different time periods and locations. -Joshua Titus
If you could only suggest one Ballantyne book to read, which one would you pick and why? Thanks, Jeremy
If I could only read one Ballantyne my whole life I dont know which one I would pick. But if the question is what would be my first Ballantyne to read, I would say that it probably would be The Coral Island. This is because I think it has one of the best plots. - Joshua Titus
I just put up a new book review on the book Fighting the Flames: A Tale of the London Fire Brigade. In this story Ballantyne explains what a life of adventure you can have when you are working around the clock to save London from one of its biggest fears; Fire! To read the book review by Matthew Wells you can click here.
Standing in the midst of searing heat and flames licking at the rotting woodwork beneath his feet, a fireman presses forward into the depth of the burning [Read more...]
The Ballantyne Series-Joshua Titus
One of my favorite Henty books is Under Drakes Flag. This book has a great mixture of history and fast paced adventure. The main character, Ned Hearne, also known as "the otter," experiences a number of fascinating adventures as he escapes the dons and the Inquisition, travels across South America, and fights in furious sea battles!
Furthermore, I find that the illustrations by Gordon Browne are superb! I appreciate the way he catches the attitudes of the characters and the tone of the scene.
"Silver Enough to Make Us All Rich" The sack of the town Nombre de Dios by Drake and his men.
"A Race for Life."
"A Moment of Peril!"
I love this image. I think that this woodcut captures the spirit of the Henty boy: someone who takes command and becomes "master of the situation."
When I first read this, I stopped to really think about what I had just read. This isn't the mad battle cry of some fierce war lord or [Read more...]
This is the best price in America. For one more day, save 50% on the Henty Classics library! Please don't miss this great opportunity to get this collection of books that have inspired boys for generations. I would encourage all of you to take advantage of this great offer and build your Henty collection immediately. If you already own a Henty set, purchase a second one to give as a gift. This is a set of books that I plan to give to each of my children some day. As my dad says;
When your child picks up a G.A. Henty historical novel, he will travel back in time to some of the greatest events in Western civilization. He will rejoice with an ancient barbarian who receives Christ, ride with Lee through the battlefields of Virginia, travel with the Conquistadors to distant lands, and watch the fall of the Temple of Jerusalem. Most importantly, he will see the world through the lens of biblical Christianity. In this world, he will learn that men are to live a life of duty and sacrifice, and that God requires even little boys to act with nobility.
Also, as a special bonus for readers of my blog, Vision Forum has agreed to send an additional $10 coupon to anyone who writes in with a comment on G.A. Henty. (One coupon per family please.) Please go to the contact page to leave me your thoughts. Make sure the subject line reads "Henty Bonus." This sale ends tomorrow, so take advantage of this opportunity right away and get what I consider to be one of the greatest sets of boys classic literature in the last hundred and fifty years.
-Joshua Titus
I just finish reading Through the Fray by Henty, and I was very blessed by it. What you wrote in your recent blog was just what I was thinking after I read Through the Fray. Ned (the main character), had less physical battles, but rather spiritual battles. He fought to conquer his temper, and to honor his parents. He fought not to completely despair when he was falsely accused and treated brutally. He had to have faith that the Lord would work all things together for good. Henty also showed the value of true friends. Ned's true friends stuck to him, believed in him, and were ready to sacrifice their time, energy, and even their life for him. When all others failed and treated him wrongly, they were there for him. If his friends had not encouraged him and cheered him on, he probably would not have made it "through the fray". This really made me think of what a true friend is and their value. It has inspired me to try to be a truer friend to my siblings and my other friends. Also, to make friendships that really do count, friendships that will weather any storms. In this book both young men and young women can learn heaps of lessons. I was both very blessed and inspired by reading it. -Julia B.
I also enjoy reading Henty's books because of the humanity of the characters. I have read other books before where the hero didn't really grow in character much throughout the book. Henty gives readers a chance to see how everyone can grow in character and not have to be perfect to get through life. -J.M.
"You are all soldiers of Christ," he said, "and now is an opportunity given to you to show that you are worthy soldiers. When the troops of a worldly monarch go into battle they do so with head erect, with proud and resolute bearing, with flashing eye, and with high courage, determined to bear aloft his banner and to crown it with victory, even though it cost them their lives. Such is the mien that soldiers of Christ should bear in the mortal strife now raging round us. Let them show the same fearlessness of death, the same high courage, the same unlimited confidence in their Leader. What matter if they die in His service? He has told them what their work should be. He has bidden them visit the sick and comfort the sorrowing. What if there be danger in the work? Did He shrink from the Cross which was to end His work of love, and is it for His followers to do so? 'Though you go down into the pit,' He has said, 'I am there also'; and with His companionship one must be craven indeed to tremble. This is a noble opportunity for holding high the banner of Christ. There is work to be done for all, and as the work is done, men should see by the calm courage, the cheerfulness, and the patience of those that do it, that they know that they are doing His work, and that they are content to leave the issue, whatever it be, in His hands." -Mr. Wallace, from G.A. Henty's When London Burned.
When I first read this, I stopped to really think about what I had just read. This isn't the mad battle cry of some fierce war lord or the shout of victory coming from some mad Viking raider. Rather, this is the fervent prayer of a minister to his congregation during the fierce plague of London in 1666. This is a call to manly sacrifice given by a man who does not fear death, but rather is willing to give his all in the expansion of the knowledge of Christ during a time of darkness.
The previous quote is what we find all throughout G.A. Henty's books. Not only do we see the outward effects of Christianity in his stories, we see an amazing sense of detailed history and God's providence throughout. Otto Scott said:
"Henty's stream of books provided a knowledge of history to his young readers that the preseant generation (including our historians) cannot match." -Otto Scott, from Otto Scott's Compass, April 1995 edition on the "Hatred of History."
And this is precisely correct. Henty believed in telling the deeds of old. He would consult the greatest historical references of his time, or rely on his own eye-witness perspective, and would then sit down to begin a book that boys throughout England and America would read. Not only did Henty write detailed histories, but he would center the story around an active young man, prepared to give his all, going out to fight for "God, King, and Country!"
Another feature of Henty's stories is that boys did not have to be perfect, but they needed to exert themselves to "do their duty" whether or not it seemed an easy thing to do. Henty firmly believed that sitting around and moping, or waiting for opportunities to come knocking instead of getting up and taking initiative and looking for ways to serve only proved you were a weakling and not worthy of the title "man". Henty understood the idea that "no man behaves as a complete gentlemen at all times, but the best men never cease yearning to." He also said that if you wish to act as a Christian gentleman, you must "do your duty and a little more," to put it in his own words.
Henty so firmly believed this that he gave his books titles to fit this concept of character. One such book, "By Sheer Pluck," is about a young man who exerts himself to work his way through life literally "by sheer pluck." The Merriam-Webster dictionary says that the noun "pluck" actually means a 'courageous readiness to fight or continue against odds : dogged resolution.'
. . . not a man to be trifled with. He could walk 50 miles in a day and was a formidable boxer and wrestler. Set upon by four knife-wielding bandits in Italy, Henty disarmed them all and sent them flying. An Irishman insulted his wife on a street in Belfast, and Henty beat him to the ground. He fought a duel with a Spaniard who insulted Queen Victoria. Cultivation of personal honor, manly independence, and tenacity were character traits of George Henty, and he instilled them in his boys of literary fiction and through those characters to his youthful readers.
This really signifies the character of a true "Henty boy." When I read Henty's books, I know I am not going to read about a sap, or a wimp, who goes through life eating the scraps off other people's tables. I know that I will always see a courageous young man who does make mistakes, but gets over them; who is willing to protect his family, country, and especially his faith; who is not afraid of man, but rather wishes only to honor; a man who will defend women, protect children, and help the innocent. In other words, Henty's hero is a young man who is out to conquer for the kingdom of Christ.
My good friend Samuel Turley and I have been reading Henty's books for almost seven years now. (Sam has joined me in the past for a G.A.Henty radio show.) We are happy to see that our sisters (my sister Jubilee and Sam's sister Mary Elaine are both ten years old) have recently joined the ranks of the G.A. Henty readers. Both Mary Elaine and Jubilee have set a goal to read one Henty book a week. I think this is fantastic! To read an article on why it is good for girls to be reading this sort of literature click here. I believe that G.A. Henty is a very important tool for any Christian family wishing to understand their history. I know that all of the Henty readers in the Phillips family have grown in their knowledge of history in leaps and bounds.
This week Vision Forum is pleased to offer the complete 70 volume set at 50% off until October 7, and 20 and 40 colume sets at a substantial discount. I would encourage all of you to take advantage of this great offer and begin to build your Henty collection. If you already own a Henty set, purchase a second one to give as a gift. This is a set of books that I plan to give to each of my children some day.
As a special bonus for readers of my blog, Vision Forum has agreed to send an additional $10 coupon to anyone who writes in with a comment on this blog post. (One coupon per family please.) You can apply this to the purchase of a 20, 40 or 70 volume set for an extra bonus discoun on top of the current 50% sale price.) Please go to the contact page to leave me your thoughts. Make sure the subject line reads "Henty Bonus." Don't forget, the sale ends and the coupon expires on October 7!
-Joshua Titus
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