Customer Reviews

Two Little Savages (Dover Children's Classics)

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Time: Nov.30,1936. Site: my high school. The Great Depression still gripped the U.S. A classmate apparently didn't have any lunch money so he offered me the hardback version of "Two Little Savages" for 10 cents. Although that was two-thirds of my lunch money, I bought it. Result: it led me into the woods, and so changed my life that, when I retired as a journalist, I moved to this mountain farm. That book now rests on my desk next to this computer, with its date and the notation: "Bought from Franklin Ramsey for 10 cents."

This book has an autobiographical feel, set in Ontario in the last quarter of the 19th century. It deals with the interaction between an adolescent loner "from town" and the people and environment of the back country through woodcraft, and with his growth in that context. Though it contains much of Seton's wonderful woodcraft and illustrations, it is most valuable for the story and the lessons about human nature and rural poverty (my own youth).

My mother first read it to me from a tattered hand-me-down copy in the early 1950's when I was too young to read it for myself. It shaped my attitudes toward the natural world and helped me understand my own adolescence. To me, it is probably the single most important book I ever read.

I first read this book as a teenager, and have re-read it many times since then, discovering new levels of enjoyment as forty years have passed by. The story is set in the early or mid-1800's. Yan is the sickly city boy who goes to visit his cousin Sam in the country to recover his health. They gradually get better acquainted, making allowances for each other's differing experiences, perspectives and education. An enjoyable story and plot line unfolds, including conflict resolution, evaluating personalities, recognizing age and generation differences, and building trust. The book is absolutely filled to overflowing with fascinating woodlore information, skills and techniques, and countless drawings and sketches to explain or illustrate what the boys are discovering, doing, making or building. I have nothing but praise for this American Classic!

I first read this book as a young boy in the early sixties. I then read it at least twenty times over the next ten years. eventually the library wanted it back. I have searched for a copy since reaching adulthood. It's the kind of book I want my children to read.

The first copy I read was a hand-me-down from my father. In 1924, at age 11 he wrote in it...

I pity the river,

I pity the brook,

I pity the crook,

that steals this book.

I read it the first time when I was 14 and have read it several time since then. It may be a little more difficult to read than more modern literature because of the writing style, but it is a wonderful story for anyone interested in wildlife, woodlore, Indians woodcraft, and young boys doing things on their own. Boy-scouting should be this good.

I read this book after my mother recommended it to me--and that was back in 1959. I remember its vivid descriptions of how to live in the style of the native americans. A remarkably interesting and charming tale, great for boys and girls alike.

Like most of the reviewers, I grew up with this book and count it as one of my all-time favorites. I just purchased 2 copies of the illustrated paperback (Cornell University) edition Two Little Savages for my two infant grandsons, and the hardcover IndyPublish edition for myself. The paperback is a good reproduction of the original, with all of the illustrations that give E. T. Seton's works much of their charm. The cover and binding leave a bit to be desired; I doubt it will hold up to the sustained use the book often experiences, but is well worth the $26 price.

Do NOT buy the hardcover edition from IndyPublish Two Little Savages. It is totally devoid of the illustrations that (again) provide Seton's works with much of their value and charm. As such it is definitely NOT worth the $45.99 price, no matter how well printed or bound. I've returned it, and will now search for a good used original edition.

My mother brought well-loved books from her childhood--Ernest Thompson Seton, Dan Beard, L Frank Baum, from her family's home. So I grew up on among other things, this book.

I was curious how it had survived the years since I'd last read it at the age of 11.

Very well, thank you. The people are alive--much more than I'd remembered for the most part--and I'm enjoying the observation and learning from experience that the boys do.

My father was delighted to receive this. The book was in his one-room school in rural Alberta during the depression. He was a voracious reader and read it many times. After ordering, I was worried I might have purchased an edition without the original illustrations. This is a good one (but Amereon only printed a run of three hundred).

This was, together with the book "Two years of holidays" by Jules
Verne my favourite childhood book (translated into slovak)
back in early seventies in Czechoslovakia.
I guess it will appeal to every boy who likes to read adventure books,
especially about the american indians