Customer Reviews

Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I read this book to my 8 1/2 year old son and he could hardly stand it when we ended the chapter at night, begging me to read to him the next night. We both loved it. The vernacular lent a perfect discussion to the meaning of words and expressions and how our language has changed. Others have referenced the character "Eradicate" who is a "Darky" as being a negative. I found it just the opposite with a wonderful teaching platform as to how our world has changed. My son understands that Blacks weren't always viewed with respect and he's thankful that has changed. He also loved thinking that his grandfather who died before he was born also read these books. I highly recommend it for some good old fashioned fun. Editor reccommends 4-8 years old. I'd say 8-16 years.

Tom Swift is an above average teenager living in 1910; he is an inventor, and the son of an inventor. Tom's excitement begins when he gets the chance to trade his bicycle for a motorcycle, but really takes off when a group of scoundrels set their sights on stealing Barton Swift's (Tom's father) newest invention. Using his mechanical acumen, Tom helps anyone at the mercy of a malfunctioning machine, and foils the plans of those who would steal his father's newest invention.

This book is a wonderful window on the United States of 1910. When reading this book, one is struck by the mechanics of Tom's motorcycle, the quality of roads, the organization of the police, and so much more. The story is fascinating, and yet easy to read.

And now for the bad news: this book contains an African-American character that is routinely referred to as a "darky". He is ill-educated, and speaks in an irritating Amos and Andy patter, "He was a tramp, an' he had de nerve to ask me fer money--me, a hard-wukin' coon."

So, while this is a generally a very good book, its racism is a bit much to take. Overall, I would recommend that you consider before purchasing it for younger readers, but that it is still a book worth reading.

The first in the series of Tom Swift books. Young Tom shows his bravery in outwitting the bad guys, love for his father in putting himself in peril to save his Dad's invention, and compassion and lack of prejudice by helping others in need. Excellent kids book, unless the reader is sensitive to how Blacks were portrayed in the early 1900's. Subsequent Tom Swift books were much more sensitive to the portrayal of old "Eradicate". I highly recommend this book and all of the Tom Swift books written up through the early 1970's.

Famed childrens' book author and newspaper reporter Howard Garis wrote this classic volume. It captures life in rural New York state during the 1910's. The story is simple and fast paced, and contrary to popular opinion, it does not contain "tom swifties" (bad puns). In fact, it is quite well written. Also, it is not marred by the supposed antisemitism that crept into later volumes. Anyway, the later volumes that depict Jewish gangsters are no more antisemetic than The Godfather is anti-Italian. The character of "Rad" has been criticised as being racist, but, in spite of his Uncle Remus/Mark Twain type dialogue, "Rad" is loyal, hardworking, and clearly one of the good guys. In fact, he provides Tom with an important clue, without which Tom would not have been able to solve the problem. One weakness is that Tom, who is clearly middleclass, is suspicious of those with less money - but he also does not trust the wealthy and powerful. The basic theme of the story could be summarized in the letters PMA - Positive Mental Attitude. While positive thinking does not always "work" in the story, it certainly does not hurt! Tom may get discouraged, but he refuses to give up hope. This is a good lesson for all ages.

This book was the first in a 38-book series of original boys' adventure volumes, published between 1910 and approx. 1938. The book's still a darn good read. Stolen patents, a villainous criminal gang, and Tom's genius in reworking a used motorcycle into the fastest machine on the road. This book is, I believe, a facsimile reprint of the original edition of this most interesting 1910 volume. Try it, you will like it. If you have some of the "boy" in you, anyway.

Tom Swift is one of my favorite books by Victor Appleton. Tom Swift has lots of adventures in it. So, if you like adventures then get one of the Tom Swift adventure books to have some fun! (I give it five stars, but for some reason my review shows only two.)

dictated by Edward (8 y/o)

Being an avid reader of science fiction novels of all kinds, I found the first novel to feature Thomas A. Swift quite interesting. Reading what was expected of the future in 1900 allows us to reflect on our world. While Tom didn't have modern luxuries, such as computers or tasers (the latter of which is actually short for Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle, a later novel in the series) he made the best of the technology he had and later created new technologies. For a sci-fi fan, this book will excite the mind

This first of the Swift books is fun. Written in a more stayed fashion, and less jingoistic than the Red, White, and Blue 50s version, it was slightly more grounded. Parents need to be aware there is a African-American character who is portrayed in full stereotype and treated to racist comments that probably would have been offensive to many in 1910. Obviously unacceptable today. Parents will need to consider how to handle this section if reading with kids.

The Tom Swift books are fun and simple reading. It's easy to see why these became so popular with the youth of the era. While I don't quite rank their plotting and general literary qualities as high as The Hardy Boy series, they are certainly well worth a look-see, even today.

This particular book interested me as a motorcycle enthusiast. It was fascinating to read about how the technology and terminology have changed in ninety-some years. The motor's rumble was called "explosions." Easing off the throttle was called "turning off some power." And the differences in speed were eye-opening. Tom was thrilled to be able to travel thirty miles in half a day. But the hilarious part was the full conversations he could have or overhear while careening toward imminent collision at such break-neck speeds. The one thing that hasn't changed a bit in all this time is the thrill and love of two-wheels in the wind. Appleton explains it in 1910 as well as anyone since.

The book is also worthwhile in that, without trying, it captures a snapshot of Americana at the turn of the century. Then-current views toward work ethic, criminals, and even minorities are revealed. Perhaps the most surprising is how the freedom, trust, and self-reliance of kids has changed. Today is certainly a different world. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.

This first of the Swift books is fun. Written in a more stayed fashion, and less jingoistic than the Red, White, and Blue 50s version, it was slightly more grounded. Parents need to be aware there is a African-American character who is portrayed in full stereotype and treated to racist comments that probably would have been offensive to many in 1910. Obviously unacceptable today. Parents will need to consider how to handle this section if reading with kids.