Rifles for Watie (Paperback)

by Harold Keith (Author) "The mules strained forward strongly, hoofs stomping, harness jingling..." (more)
Key Phrases: commissary wagon, rebel girl, Fort Gibson, Bill Earle, Boggy Depot (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"This full-length junior novel should hold a place with the best Civil War fiction for young people. The fighting takes place in the West. . . . A young farm boy joins the Union forces, becomes a scout, and thus temporarily part of Stand Watie's Cherokee Rebels. There is suspense in the telling and many a colorful character." -- "H."

Review
"[Rifles for Watie] should hold a place with the best Civil War fiction for young people."
-- The Horn Book (Horn Book Magazine ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen; 1st Harper Trophy Ed edition (September 25, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006447030X
• ISBN-13: 978-0064470308
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #35,839 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #38 in	Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Military & Wars
  #42 in	Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > United States > Fiction > 1800s

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular Historical Fiction, June 26, 2004

By	D. Mikels "It's always Happy Hour here" (Skunk Holler) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Rifles for Watie (Hardcover)

I first read this delightful novel in 1968 or 1969. It continues to be one of my favorite books. Historian and former OU sports information director Harold Keith actually makes history "fun" for teenagers with this award-winning tale, as RIFLES FOR WAITIE gives readers a full account of the brutal Civil War campaign in the Indian Territories of the frontier.

At the heart of Keith's story is young Jeff Bussey, who joins a regiment of Kansas volunteers as a 16-year-old, idealistic adventure seeker. Jeff's idealism is short-lived once he confronts the horrors and barbarism of war; it is replaced by disillusionment, bitterness, fear. Although written in the Fifties, Keith cuts no corners in portraying the brutality of the Civil War in Oklahoma Territory; the reader can smell the smoke, hear the deafening roar of cannon, feel the bullets whistle past. And as young Jeff matures. . .becomes a battle-hardened survivor. . .he is sent on an assignment behind enemy lines--only to discover the men he is fighting are just like him: cold, tired, hungry, and ready to go home.

Wonderfully written and flawlessly paced, RIFLES FOR WAITIE is an absorbing read. Highly recommended for teenagers or history buffs wanting to learn more about the Civil War in Oklahoma.
--D. Mikels

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I think I read it when I was 13 or maybe more........, January 1, 2004

By	Nicky Nickleby (Colorado) - See all my reviews

I really enjoy this book but, I'm not leaving it at that.I think this book should and could be made into a film.It's got all the ingredients.A young man called Jeff in his teens(I'm about his age actually)who goes off to war to fight for his homeland for the Union.(same old story right?)EXCEPT about halfway through the book he joins the Rebel side.Which ideals are best for fighting a war? Help keep the union together and get rid of slavery or fight to help save the cherokee indians lands fighting under conel Watie of the confederete army? Sounds pretty good doesn't it? Heroic battles where Jeff is pitted agains't Rebels in pitched battles including a time where he gets a medal for bravery.Deadly skirmishes(that really give the story it's excitment)often by suprise from the enemy.Jeff meets and loses friends on both sides that are each nice in their own way.Both sides have very different ways they fight the war.A captivating cherokee girl(totally a rebel) named Lucy meet and come to love each other utterly despite their differances.
I have given only a few of the points that would make this book a good movie.I don't have room to write more.I guess it could be rated PG-13 for battle sequences but not for other lewd content thats not in the book.I hope in to it in theaters in a few years!(I think Peter Jackson could do a good job seeing how he did Lord of the Rings so well.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A terrific civil war tale of finding your true self., November 18, 1999

By A Customer

Jeff, a 16 year-old Kansas farmer, is drawn into the Civil War when a group of Bushwackers attacks his farm. Along the way and path of war, he picks up new friends, good values, and many challenges. We liked this book because it really showed what the Civil War was all about (besides slavary) from a first hand detailed view.