Customer Reviews

Winning His Spurs: A Story of the Crusades (Works of G. A. Henty)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

G.A. Henty is known for his historical exactness, and he loses none of his reputation with this volume. One can seldom find an unbiased and truthful account of the Crusades, but Henty has given us this in really just an overview of some historical battles. The remainder of the book is filled with typical battles, experiences, and accounts of the time. We learn of what Crusaders did upon retirement, their religious zeal, the fighting lists, and Saxon England's Baron wars. One would do well to add this book to their library.

I just finished reading this book, and I thought it was great! I've been fascinated by the Holy Wars and this gave a fresh new perspective on things. It's the story of an English boy of Saxon blood, how he ascended in the favor af the regional lord in England, travelling to the Holy Land and serving in King Richard's army as a knight. It tells about the conflict between the Saxons, the "natives" of England, and the Normans, the heirarchy. It also talks about the strife between England and other European countries like France and Germany. The last quarter of the book talks about the bondage, and finally, freedom, of Richard Lionheart from the hands of the hostile Germans. Magnificent writing style, detailed descriptions of time and place and depth of characters make this another triumph for G.A. Henty.

This book is full of adventure, excitement, and HISTORY. If you want to learn about King Richard, Knights, the Crusades, or Medieval times then this book is perfect for you. Clean and entertaining, it's a story the whole family can and will enjoy if you buy it. G.A. Henty makes the book come alive with his wonderful story telling abilities that include twists and turns, and wonderful characters. You will begin to fell like your there as Henty describes the Middle East and England with wonderful descriptions and details. I highly recommend you buy this book!

I read this book to my kids (8 & 5) in about 1 week. They loved it and sat for hours listening. We read it as part of our homeschool curriculum and I think it creates a memorable impression of the crusades; a great tie-in with middle-ages history.
It is not an easy read but well worth the effort.

"In vain did the Bedouins strive to cut down and overpower the two champions; in vain did they urge their horses to ride over them. With each sweep of his axe the king either dismounted a foe or clove in the head of his steed, and a wall of slain around them testified to the tremendous power of their arms."
Winning his spurs by G.A. Henty is a well written HF story during the time of the crusades. In the story Cuthbert, a young boy of Saxon and Norman blood, along with his friend Cnut and Cnut's band of outlaws do the Earl of Evesham a great honor by saving his daughter the Lady Margaret from a nearby enemy. In return the earl takes Cuthbert on a crusade with him as his squire. As a crusader Cuthbert fights against the muslin army, saves King Richard the Lionheart, befriends a hermit, and kills an evil knight trying to steal his inheritance.

I think it's a great book about the crusades and middle ages and I would recommend it to anyone who loves adventure and war.

The G.A. Henty story was excellent but this edition by Quiet Publishing was horrible. The book wasn't rectangular but wrongly cut on an angle and all the text was crooked inside. The binding was so poor the book fell apart as we were reading it. Order this book, just not from Quiet Publishing.

When this adventure begins, Cuthbert is a boy of fifteen living at home with his mother in Norman England. He hears information and is able to warn the outlaws living in the forest, among whom he has relatives, of an impending attack by the Earl of Evesham, who resents their killing his deer without permission. The forest men are reconciled to the Earl, however, when Cuthbert summons their help to rescue the Earl's daughter from a kidnapping by a nearby vindictive Norman nobleman. After Cuthbert participates in the victorious siege of the latter's castle, the Earl of Evesham, who is himself a distant relative of Cuthbert, promises to take him with him when he next rides off to battle.

Neither had any idea that they would be going off to battle so soon. King Richard the Lionhearted was gathering troops to set off on another crusade, and Cuthbert gets to go along, and be a party to major historic events. He witnesses the French and British rivalry, rescues a princess, wins a duel, fights the Moorish pirates, is knighted for saving King Richard's life in a battle, escapes Saracen captivity, visits with a Dead Sea hermit, and returns to Europe with King Richard.

When the Earl of Evesham was mortally wounded, he begged the king that his estates, title and daughter would be granted to Cuthbert. After Cuthbert and his faithful men make their dangerous journey across the snowy Alps and hostile European cities with many narrow escapes, they find themselves rather unwelcome in England. There he leads a Robin Hood style life, and with Robin Hood, no less! They finally see that Cuthbert's mother and fiancée are in safety, and Cuthbert goes with Blondel to discover the place of King Richard's imprisonment, and arrange for his ransom.

This is one of the more exciting Henty adventures, and any lover of Robin Hood will certainly enjoy this tale. Cuthbert's presence of mind and common sense, his loyalty, honesty, valor, and quick wits are all characteristics that make us and his authorities in the book admire and respect him. If it were a movie, you would find yourself holding your breath, but by the time you're halfway through the book, you will be confident that Cuthbert can extricate himself and his friends from any kind of sticky situation. Plus, there is plenty of history and background included, from geography and the baron wars of England, to rivalries on the Crusades, to lifestyles of the Middle East. Find a comfortable seat and enjoy!

Loved the content. Need a book for boys? Henty is it. Henty is an engaging story teller, who will have you forcing your children to "Quit reading and eat."

I am very disappointed with the binding. Pages fell out on the first read (by an adult) and the book (along with "Wulf the Saxon") absolutly would not stand up to the rigors of bookbag life. I have them stored in a ziplock bag. Also the book is not cut square, the top is at an angle. Buy this book, just not from Vision Quest publishing. While I have voracious readers the type is quite small. I would order the large print edition if I was giving this book as a gift, which any boy would love. 14yr old Son and 10 yr old Daughter, both enjoyed the book and asked for "more Henty"

Winning His Spurs (Large Print Edition): A Tale of the Crusades
Wulf the Saxon: Wulf the Saxon
Wulf the Saxon (Large Print Edition): Wulf the Saxon (Large Print Edition)
Also available Jim Weiss reading the book, Great for travelling/ Car schooling.
Wulf the Saxon

Mr. Henty weaves a story of the life and times of King Richard the Lionhearted that is yet to be equaled. Cuthbert de Lance, the hero of the story, is of Norman blood on his father's side and Saxon by his mother. By timely aid to the Earl of Evesham, Cuthbert is rewarded by being allowed to go to the Crusade as his page. He gains a reputation for valor and prowess due to gallant deeds and his resourcefulness not only helps King Richard but aids Cuthbert in many a `hairbreadth escape.'

The binding for the edition of Winning His Spurs published by Quiet Vision is quite poor. Even on my first reading of the book, pages were falling out. At this point, I'm planning to punch holes and put the pages in a 2-ring binder. The story is wonderful for all the reasons others have stated, but I would recommend an edition other than this one.