Customer Reviews

Peter Treegate's War (Treegate Series)

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"The British are coming!" In this case, it is Breed's Hill. The redcoats are about attack a small group of men from various New England militias. Among the men are Peter Treegate, his father, John Treegate, and Peter's foster father, Maclaren of Spey.

But, there is more than one battle that is about to be fought. Against the colorful backdrop of the American Revolution, Peter Treegate is caught between his love and loyalty for his father and foster father. He wants to please both, but in the process only alienates them. What should he do?

As the drama unfolds, Wibberley introduces several key moments and issues to the cause for the War for American Independence. Just like Peter's conflict between his father and foster father, all is not clear. Where does he fit in? Where is his loyalty?

Fast paced, Wibberley takes Peter from one adventure or misadventure to another, including capture, imprisonment, and escape.

Not just a tale of the American Revolution, Peter Treegate's War touches on the internal conflict of the human heart of showing love, kindness, and compassion to others even in the midst of evil.

The second book of the Treegate series, Peter Treegate's War, picks up the tale at the Battle of Bunker Hill, with Peter, his father John Treegate, and his foster father the Maclaren of Spey, among the Americans facing down the advancing Red Coats. After the battle, all three are captured by the British and thrown into a floating prison. There, they meet a character who will loom large in the rest of the series--Peace of God Manly--a fisherman from Salem with a fire-and-brimstone flair.

Similar to its predecessor, Peter Treegate's War is an exceptionally entertaining tale of the American Revolution. Stylistically, it varies a bit from the first book in that it is told from Peter's point of view. I'm not sure why author Leonard Wibberley chose first-person narration for this book, but I felt it took something away from the story. (Admittedly, though, that could be nothing more than a personal bias on my part in favor of the third person narrative.) As literature, the book is an uncomplicated but enjoyable read. As history, it makes for a great introduction to the early years of the Revolutionary War for a reader who has little background. As in the first book, several historical figures are worked into the story, most prominently General Washington with whom Peter has a frank discussion prior to the Battle of Trenton.

What sets Wibberley's books apart, however, are the unforgettable characters and Peter Treegate's War supplies another one. Peace of God Manly is one of those redoubtable types who occasionally appeared in literature 100 years ago but who shows up only rarely today and generally as an object of derision. Peace of God wears his religious faith on his sleeve, shirt, coat and hat. He is vocal about it, constantly introducing himself as "one of John Wesley's poor sinners." And he speaks about Christ in season and out of season, even when it's obvious he's causing consternation or discomfort. At the same time, Peace of God is no pacifist. He doesn't hesitate to discharge a musket, fire a cannon, or even fling a Bible at his foe if the cause is righteous. As distasteful as many moderns may find all this religious zeal, it is impossible not to like Peace of God. Wibberley has done a masterful job creating this character who will play the key role in the next book in the series, Sea Captain from Salem.

Peter Treegate's War is another outstanding selection for readers young and old who are interested in the American Revolution. It's a fast and fun read that will have you hankering for the next book in the series. Highly recommended for kids 12 and up.