Customer Reviews

Double Eagle

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

 

 

The way the characters were written, specifically Mike, was superb. It was truly like entering a 14 year old mind. Reminded me of my own thoughts in that age and how free and careless we are when an adventure arises.

I think kids will love this book, not only because they can relate to the main character, but because there is action, jealousy, love, and fear.

I couldn't find anything wrong with this book. Because of this, this will become one of those rare books I will place on the high shelf, to be given to my son in a couple of years to enjoy.

Very well done.

I purchased the book to see what young teens are interested in now. The story was set in 1973 about 14 and 15 yr old boys - the idea of Conferderate gold and the history of the story was really interesting with the book well laid out for the adventure. But I didn't like the swearing, smoking and lying of the two main characters though I grew up in the South during the 1970's and as I remember it this was a very accurate depiction of teen boys, expecially the smoking - but I would make sure I discussed this with any young readers before I let them read it, we're still trying to get over the image of the cool kids walking around with a cigarette - I know so many middle age people who wish they had never begun smoking as teens in the '70's - we don't want to give young readers the wrong idea -

I got this for my kids but they had other books ahead of it. So I read it. I LOVED IT. Sneed B. Collard writes with such real human emotions and real situations, I instantly fell into the storyline and got hooked. This is a page turner for sure. A mystery with a big lesson in history without even realizing it. My daughter is reading it now and is telling me no wonder I read it without putting it down. I hope the author creates more with these characters and many many more books. His writing is lighthearted, full of interesting characters and so very engaging.

I looked at this book for my 15 year old because he had been into coin collecting and ended up reading it myself first. This book is a treasure hunting adventure that includes the history of the Civil War, friendship between two boys from vastly different backgrounds, an imperfect hero challenged by a long distance relationship with his father and his preconceived notions of the South, marine biology, and coin collecting. There's a lot to this book and I suggest that teachers give this book a look. It's the type of book that a kid reads for fun and he ends up learning things by accident - science, history, people. I must admit that since reading this book I've started looking for old coins in my change. Sneed Collard writes in a way that is impressively clear and creates a rich setting of a Southern gulf community. I read that he spent time at a Southern harbor with a historic Civil War fort for research. The characters are depicted in a realistic way and it made me think of my own childhood friends, and the adolescent thrill of adventure, rebellion against parents and just plain sneaking around.
My 15 year old is still reading, likes the book and agrees with me that it reads easily. Definitely a great book for boys (and girls who don't understand boys.)

Double Eagle is a delightful, fun and educational (without knowing it is educational, lol) historical fiction book, geared toward young adults. Based loosely on historical facts taken from the Civil War time period, in the location of the Alabama Coast, readers are taken back in time, to April 24th, 1862 when a Confederate ship, called the Skink is attacked by Union forces and sinks. It is believed that gold coins were being carried upon the Skink and have been much sought after, since it's demise.

Fast forward to the summer of 1973 when fourteen-year-old Mike is sent to stay with his dad for summer break. Living the "divorce shuffle", as Mike calls it, is difficult enough and though he loves staying with his Dad, it is an adjustment. That adjustment is being blown out of the water when he finds out that his Dad has taken a summer job teaching, at a new marine lab on Shipwreck Island, bear Mobile Bay.

Not sure what to expect, Mike is naturally nervous and hesitant, until he becomes friends with another boy, Kyle, who is a year older than him and whose Dad also is working at the lab. It doesn't take long for the two of them to forge a close bond, exploring, hanging out and once they learn of the missing treasure of double eagle coins, their treasure hunting excursions.

Sneed Collard III does an excellent job of intertwining fact with fiction, to quickly and easily draw the readers into the story. Double Eagle is the perfect book to engage any age, particularly young adults, girls and boys alike. Another wonderful aspect of Mr. Collard III's writing is his ability to cross generational information. One such instance, that sticks in my mind, is when Mike meets some of the other people at the lab and one was wearing a ZZ Top shirt, but he had no idea who ZZ Top was. I had to chuckle at this. What a perfect way for young adults and adults to be able to relate to the same book and story. Of course this is just one small example, as there are several throughout the story.

Mike, Kyle, Mike's father and all of the characters are brought to life effortlessly, complete with little idiosyncrasies such as Mike's habit of counting his teeth with his tongue when he is nervous or bored. I also loved the way the author brought the past to life, through Mike's thoughts and ponderings. Here is a small excerpt from page 37:

"I used to hold an old coin in my hands and wonder about all the people who had held it since it was minted. A Standing Liberty quarter might have been in the pocket of a soldier at Pearl Harbor. An Indian head penny could have been spent to see Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show."

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I have often done the same thing with material objects, or just looking around at my surroundings, be it a building or outdoor area.

Another aspect of Mr. Collard III's writing, that I greatly enjoyed, was his amazing talent at bringing visual aspects to life with his words. The following excerpt from page 49 is a perfect example of this talent:


"Our heads whipped around to see a tall man with white, wispy hair standing behind us. He wore a faded red fishing cap, and his pale blue eyes peered out from beneath bristling eyebrows. The skin on his face was the texture of ancient brown leather, and an unlit pipe dangled from the corner of his mouth. Despite his age he stood straight as a piling in his long-sleeved button-down shirt and faded blue seaman's pants."

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I can't stress enough what a wonderful and delightful book Double Eagle is. It is a story rich with educational lessons and openings to the desire to learn more about the Civil War, coin collecting, and so much more. Do keep in mind that the author is rather sneaky about adding in these educational and historical facts within the story - enabling the reader to learn without even knowing they are doing so! I truly feel that Double Eagle is a story that even the most hesitant and picky of reader will dive into and love. Though Double Eagle is the first work by this author that I have read, I am incredibly anxious to read more!