Customer Reviews

Beric The Briton: A Story of the Roman Invasion (Works of G. A. Henty)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Luck was with us when my kids and I discovered the obscure author of this book, G. A. Henty. As a homeschooling mom I am always looking for books that bring history and geography to life. Mr. Henty accomplishes this beautifully and his books are rapidly becoming our favorites.

This is the story of a young Briton during the Roman occupation of Britain. He is captured and taken as a slave to Rome where he has one adventure after another. Mr. Henty provides such rich detail in his narration that the reader gets the "feel" of the Roman and British cultures he is describing.

The Henty books are a mainstay of our social studies curriculum and I know the kids learn and retain much more history by reading these novels than they do by working out of a dry social studies textbook. I highly reccommend these books !

I'm studying Roman History in school. This book was fun, interesting, and it brought to life the people who lived in Rome's empire. I couldn't put it down! I cheered when Beric, a man of strong character and wisdom, prevailed against his enemies. I highly recommend this book to anyone studying Roman or British history, as well as anyone just looking for a good read that encourages good values.

This is Definitley my favorite book by the "boys own historian" the Plot is great and the charachters are well devoloped

Henty presents an wonderful look at the history of England under the domination of the Roman Empire. This is a story of great courage and daring on the part of Beric and a look at Rome in its declining stages. However, not all the honorable men and women belonged to England.

Beric the Briton was a very well written book about a young man in the time of the Roman Empire. He lived a peacefull life in Briton until Rome came and conquered it. In full defiance of Rome he gathers an army and is defeated. He is captured and it leads to a thrilling tale of his adventurous escapes and eventually rulling Briton under Roman authority.

This is an excellent book, one of the best I have ever read. All of G.A.Henty's books are great, but not for someone who has trouble with reading or comprehension, because these books use old english, being written over 100 years ago. I am a great fan of Henty's books, and this on is no exception!

I didn't enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed "Wulf the Saxon". There was just a slight section of the Book dedicated to events in Britain. The rest of the story occurred in Rome and Italy. I would really have much preferred to have read more about Britain and the rebellions & defeats in the battles against the invading Romans.

Christianity IS a part of the story. None of the major Biblical Characters. But the faith, the persecutions, the catacombs are all there.

Boadicea and the Iceni do appear in the story, but only briefly. Nero is there quite a bit. But at least he is not presented as having played the Fiddle while Rome burned.

The story seemed "contrived" to me. It's hard to explain, but throughout all of the events that happened to him, Beric always landed on his feet, suffered very little, was always the leader, never did anything stupid (like the rest of us!). Had he been Irish, I'd have said he must have been born in a Bed of Four Leaf Clovers with a Four Leaf Clover indelibly stamped upon his very existence.

In spite of the above, it was still enjoyable reading. And I DID read the whole Book! The first time!

Beric the Briton is among the best of Henty's works. I first read it in Jr. High, and totally loved it. The story gives kids a very realistic understanding of both British and Roman cultures during the time of Nero. The language is beautiful, but is targeted towards more advanced readers. If I had to choose just one of Henty's books, this would recieve my vote.

Amost all of the Hentys are the same; the strapping young Eglish lad gets into a tight spot, finds a damsel in distress, saves her, then makes a darring escape. This is a unique spin off the original Henty theme

an amazing and beutifully told book. the story of beric the briton goes from the battles beric fought as a young tribal leader to the gladator circus to the right hand man of the evil emperor Nero. also has a great story of christians in rome who are under persecution. loved it.