Customer Reviews

Under Drake's Flag: A Tale of the Spanish Main (Dover Children's Classics)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the early 90s, I came into possession of what I took to be a very nearly complete collection (I have 75 volumes), mostly in first or other early editions, of the British writer G. A. Henty. Henty died in 1902 or thereabouts, having written his last books about the actions which took place in the war opposing English troops and Boer commandos. And that was his formula, first and foremost to record in print the historical events associated with any British military venture from the early Middle Ages onwards. The other characteristic of his writing was, that it was intended for consumption by boys and as such it was typical of a genre that was well developed in the late Victorian period. Henty's prefaces invariably start, "My Dear Boys," and he developed a sort of intimacy with his youthful audience that eventually made him something of a best selling author at the end of last century. It is interesting to note that he is still in print, or was until very recently.

Most of his books have a two-fold purpose therefore; recounting (mainly) military history and inculcating a certain notion of the standard of behaviour to be expected from a future young subaltern. No doubt, of the thousands of officers from British and colonial regiments who went to the front in 1915 and dashed themselves bravely against the German wall, a great many had had this form of early Henty training. Having read so many of them, one can scarcely recall the actual details of plots and sub-plots. Yet on the details of the history involved, there is much to learn, as Henty was a meticulous man who recorded as fully as possible (and some times too fully, it must be admitted, with respect to the endless movements of particular regiments into the line) the events he describes. He is equally good at sea as on land and has written some classics of maritime literature, particularly "Under Drake's Flag," and "Cochrane the Dauntless." So while Henty can hardly be expected to have a wide audience today, for those who find him to their taste, it must be said that the material, most of which will have to be located second hand, is not wanting.

This is a great book! The adventure never lets up, and the charachters set good examples of manilness, dignity, and honor. I highly recommend it! It's a wonderful book to read aloud as a family or just by yourself.

Subtitled "A Tale of the Spanish Main" this is an enjoyable book with lots of history easy to digest and learn. Ned Hearne - a brave, intelligent teen from Plymouth meets English privateer Francis Drake (not a "Sir" yet) and his adventures begin. Along with three friends (with each of whom he has an improbable, but stirring adventure) Ned takes along through the Elizabethan years and events leading up to the Spanish Armada and the subsequent fact of Britannia becoming the preeminent sea power. History can be fun!

I read this out loud to my 11 and 8 year olds. They both LOVED it! G. A. Henty has true eloquence with words, which I enjoyed, but the kids were just drawn in by the adventure! This was our first Henty novel, but it won't be our last! What a great way to learn history.

I love this book! If you enjoyed this check out more books by this guy. I am a Henty fanatic and love his works. Seriously, you have to check this out.

This story is called Under Drake's Flag. This story was set in the 1600's. It is about a boy of fifteen and his name is Ned. He lived in England with his father. His nickname was Otter because he swam very well. He saved a child from drowning when a ship hit a reef. Captain Francis Drake was on shore when Ned was doing this. And after the incident Drake asked Ned to join him on his ship to find the North West passage.

Ned went through all sorts of adventures. He killed a shark, lived with runaway slaves for six months, and even was on an island where the natives thought of him as a god. He fought the Spaniards and also the Indians. He pretended to be a Spaniard that was raised by Indians. He was almost killed several times. But he was very smart and knew how to get out of those kinds of situations.

I give this book a rating of five stars. I think it is a very good book! It is full of adventure, and that's the way I like them.

Evie, age 14