Customer Reviews

The Lion of the North: A Tale of the Times of Gustavus Adolphus

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With the Thirty Years' War (1618-48) raging in Europe, sixteen-year-old Malcolm Graheme, and other Scots sign up to fight in the army of the great Swedish King, Gustavus Adolphus (1594-1632). The Scots form the very backbone of Gustavus's army, and Malcolm Graheme is right in the thick of things, finding himself in adventure after adventure as he fights his way across a Germany racked by war and religious hatred. With daring and panache, Malcolm outwits and outfights his opponents from 1630 through to the battle of Nordlingen in 1635.

George Alfred Henty (1832-1902) is largely forgotten today, but prior to World War II he had many young fans of his adventure books. Muscular fiction at its exciting best, Henty's stories follow a brave and upright young man through a series of adventures during great historical happenings (usually great happenings of British history). Teaching lessons largely out of step with today's world (bravery, daring, military service, etc.), this book is nonetheless a cracking good read. So, if you are interested in historical fiction set during the Thirty Years' War, then I highly recommend this book to you.

G.A. Henty wrote 'boy's adventure books' a genre which has been somewhat unfashionable for a number of years. This is rather sad as writers such as Henty wrote quite rousing tales which managed to show the importance things such as honesty, courage, and initiative without being preachy.

While the book's plotting and rendering of secondary characters are often skimpy, it is fast-paced, and has an excellent grasp on the historical era in which it takes place.

I thought that this book was a classic portrayal of a lad that had great morals trying to prove himself. I recommend this book along with all the other G.A. Henty books to everyone, young or old.