The Lion of St. Mark: A Tale of Venice in the 14th Century (Works of G. A. Henty) [Hardcover]

G. A. Henty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2000 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Works of G. A. Henty

In this story, Mr. Henty gives the history of the first part of the Thirty Years’ War. The issue had its importance, which has extended to the present day, as it established religious freedom in Germany. The army of the chivalrous King of Sweden was largely composed of Scotsmen, and among these was the hero of the story.

Date: 1630
Location: Europe, Germany
Main Event: Thirty Years War

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

G. A. Henty's life was filled with exciting adventure. After completing his work at Westminster School, he attended Cambridge University, where he undertook a rigorous course of study and also enjoyed boxing, wrestling, and rowing. The strenuous study and healthy, competitive participation in sports prepared Henty for his adventures. To name just a few, he fought with the British army in the Crimea, served as a war correspondent during Garibaldi's fight for independence in Italy, visited Abyssinia, witnessed the Franco-Prussian war while in Paris, observed the Carlists in Spain, attended the opening of the Suez Canal, toured India with the Prince of Wales (later Edward II), and visited the California gold fields.

G. A. Henty lived during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) and began his story-telling career with his own children. After dinner it was his custom to spend an hour or two telling them a story that often continued for days. In fact, some stories lasted for weeks! One evening a friend happened to be present during Henty's "story hour." Watching the children as they sat spell-bound, he urged Henty to write down his stories so others could enjoy them. Happily for us, Henty did so. One of his secretaries reported that he often would pace rapidly back and forth in his study dictating stories as fast as the secretary could record them. He became known to his readers as "The Prince of Story-Tellers" and "The Boys Own Historian." Henty's stories revolve around a fictional boy hero during fascinating periods of history. His heroes are diligent, courageous, intelligent, and dedicated to their country and cause in the face of, at times, great peril. Respected historians have acknowledged his histories, particularly the accounts of battles, for their accuracy. His ability to bring his readers action-packed adventure in an accurate historical setting makes the study of history exciting, and removes the drudgery often associated with such study.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 303 pages
• Publisher: Preston-Speed Pubns (August 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887159525
• ISBN-13: 978-1887159524
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,918,415 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars G.A.HENTY AND THE ENTERPRISING SPIRIT, October 9, 2009

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Wood House (WESTERN AUSTRALIA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Lion of St. Mark: A Tale of Venice in the 14th Century (Works of G. A. Henty) (Hardcover)

The Lion of St Mark is one of the best 'books for boys' that Henty wrote. Full of danger and adventure, it also provides an easily absorbed historical background that lets the reader feel at home in the period (the late 14teenth century) and so become drawn into the tale. Henty wrote in the last three decades of Queen Victoria's reign, when the British Empire's manifest destiny, it seemed, was to civilize a barbarous world, and Henty's chief purpose was to encourage in youths a manly and enterprising spirit: this, Francis Hammond(the English hero of the story), has in spades; his very practical, yet ingenious, solutions to meet near insurmountable difficulties makes the reader aware that not every seeming impossible problem is without a solution - or at least a way of getting around it. Henty has had his critics over the years for promoting a too narrow, nationalistic spirit; however, since one of the youths who grew up in the late Victorian age was a certain Winston Churchill (surely enterprise personified), we may afford to take a broader view. Recommended for readers of all times and ages.