A Tale of the Western Plains [Paperback]

G. A. Henty (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1997 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

In this story, Henty crafts a rousing adventure drawing on real-life cowboy stories. ?In treating cowboy life,? he tells us, ?indeed, it may well be said that truth is stranger than fiction.?

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

G. A. Henty's specialty was combining history and fiction for children. I A Tale of the Western Plains he crafts a rousing adventure story drawing on real life cowboy stories. "In treating cowboy life," Henty tells us, "indeed, it may well be said that truth is stranger than fiction." The result: a con't-put-it-down story that transports children back to the early days of the Wild West.

Like all G. A. Henty's fiction, A Tale of the Western Plains paints a picture of a world all children should know. A world where courage, daring, and virtue are all part of a young man's life--and are part of what made America great.

Recommended for Ages 10 and up.

From the Back Cover

G. A Henty is a Victorian literary phenomenon whose 144 books and myriad short stories have long enthralled adults and children alike.George Grant

G. A Hentys specialty was combining history and fiction for children. In A Tale of the Western Plains the nineteenth century author crafts an exciting adventure story drawing on real life cowboy stories. In treating cowboy life, Henty tells us, indeed, it may well be said that truth is stranger than fiction. The result: a cant-put-it-down story that transports children back to the early days of the Wild West--

"Five hundred dollars reward. The above sum will be paid by James Campbell, attorney, San Fransisco, to any one who will give him information as to the whereabouts of William Tunstall, who was last heard of four years ago in California."

"A simple ad in a Sacramento paper. A simple ad that changes Bill Tunstalls life and the life of his young nephew, Hugh."

From California during the Gold Rush to the English countryside and its landed gentry and back to Americas vast land of cowboys and Indians, Hentys riproaring story follows Hugh Tunstalls exploits from England to the American West. Hughs exploits in America start in Texas where the lawlessness of the West rears its ugly head. Working on a cattle ranch . . . fighting Indians . . . chasing kidnappers all play a part in Hughs escapades in the West.

Valuable Bonus for Homeschoolers. Includes a Build-Your-Vocabulary Glossary of some 430 words and definitions. Each word is cross-referenced with its page number so children can easily go back and see how it is used in the story.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 444 pages
• Publisher: Lost Classic Books (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890623008
• ISBN-13: 978-1890623005
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,221,164 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Tale, January 26, 2004

By 

A. Vawser "gmpvideo" (Idaho) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Tale of the Western Plains (Paperback)

When it seems that tales of the old west just keep on repeating themselves, this wonderful tale gives the American West a new light. G.A. Henty (the boy's historian) gives this tale a unique twist but yet keeps it within historical boundaries. Some may say that this book is a work of fantasy like most western tales. In one sense this is true as Henty uses fictional characters, but the story itself is based off of the experiences of a relative of Mr. Henty (as he stated in the preface). When one reads this tale full of gunfights, wildfires, horse races, round ups, Indian raids, and daring rescues, one would say it still sounds way too impossible. Henty understood this and stated in the preface, "in treating of cowboy life, indeed, it may well be said that truth is stranger than fiction." The tale is one worth reading largely to the sacrifice that men made for women in those days. In some instances within the book, the hero and many others are faced with the situation of saving women and children from a band of Indians, and later two young ladies from a group of outlaws. In both cases many men put their lives at stake, knowing there was little chance of survival, for those who were weaker than them. This is true Godly manhood at its fullest! Some may find a problem with the cowboys mention and use of liquor and tobacco. Let me say that tobacco was generally accepted in the days of Henty, and no one knew what it could really do to a person. Secondly the use of liquor was common in the days of the west, and Henty wanted to keep his tale accurate to the time of the work. It can also be said that Henty mentions many times the negative benefits of the drink. This story is one that you and all those who will come after you will enjoy. I highly recommend this tale for anyone wanting to read a western that is not only profanity free, but historical in setting as well.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The True Wild West Revealed, June 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Tale of the Western Plains (Paperback)

My family and I read this book together, and found it to be a very captivating western mystery. The reality of real cowboy life presented in the book, makes the Hollywood cowboy look like a romticized story character. The wild, wild west will never be the same for us. Henty has the ability to paint colorful pictures in the mind, without going into unnecessary, gory detail. A wonderful book for the whole family.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent western with strong honor taught, August 10, 2011

By 

JHenry - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Tale of the Western Plains (Dover Children's Classics) (Paperback)

G.A. Henty does an excellent job telling the story of the American West through the eyes of a late teen who has gone in search of experiencing it in full. This story spans his life from age 16 -19. It is not only interesting and adventurous, there is mystery and suspense mixed in. The Gold fields of California--complete with detailed explanations of how their tools work, a murder and an impersonation for an inherited estate, a round-up in Texas, an Indian raid on a ranch where the innocent girls are carried away and their subsequent rescue, a prairie fire and how they used the elements on hand to put it out, and a Mexican gang who has to be captured and dealt with so justice can be served are all included in this wonderful book. Honor and duty, integrity and devotion to friends is common for all main characters. This is a great book to read aloud to children 5 years old and up, or as a reader for ages 8 and up. A terrific introduction to the American West of the 19th century. G.A. Henty is a master storyteller.