Jim Hodges GA Henty Historical Novels

A terrific addition to your Henty audiobook collection! (The Plague Ship is my personal favorite story – with a wonderful female lead!) The collection contains narratives that continue the Henty tradition of heroes both brave and modest, but are quite unlike a typical Henty novel in that they are sometimes sentimental or melancholy. Henty was primarily known for his full length novels for young people, but he regularly contributed short stories such as these to weekly boys’ magazines such as The Boys Own Paper and The Union Jack, and was editor of many publications as well.

Few wars have been fought by each side with greater intensity of conviction in the rightness of its cause or with more abundant personal heroism than the War Between the States. The story begins with a great responsibility falling on Vincent Wingfield, the teenage son of a widowed Virginia plantation owner. Vincent must decide what course of action he should take when a problem arises on the plantation. Unlike many stories of this American war, Mr. Henty brings to it a European viewpoint that differs drastically from the current views on the nature and reasons for this struggle. Henty’s “With Lee in Virginia” will introduce the reader to many of the famous battles of the 1860’s along with learning much about the character of Robert E. Lee and his lieutenants.

Out on the Pampas was the exciting story overheard by a friend who encouraged Mr. Henty to have it published, launching his amazing career as “The Boy’s Own Historian.” In the mid 1800’s, the Hardy family relocates to Argentina, joining other British settlers trying to start a better life for themselves in a new land. They face many obstacles and perils in this rugged life-style: surveying, building, planting, raising animals, and fighting off attacks from the natives. The children in the story – Charles, Hubert, Maud, and Ethel – are named after Mr. Henty’s own children!

In 1853 a conflict between Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic monks over Jerusalem holy sites exposed other disagreements between Turkey and a Russian empire desirous of expanding into the Mediterranean. The British and French rushed to arms on the side of the Turks. Our hero, Jack Archer, joins the Navy and takes part in or witnesses many battles of that war. The author, G. A. Henty, actually served in the military hospital in Scutari with Florence Nightingale, and so was himself witness to many scenes described in this story.

In the Heart of the Rockies is packed with adventure! In 1860, sixteen-year-old Tom Wade leaves England for the American Far West to find his uncle and to improve his family fortunes. Arriving at the small western outpost of Denver to mine for gold, he soon encounters Native American warriors, takes part in big-game hunts, and learns how to survive a frigid mountain winter with nothing but resourcefulness and perseverance. On their quest for a gold mine, he and his little band is spied on by Indians, chased across the Bad Lands, and overwhelmed by a snowstorm in the mountains. Henty’s descriptions of Colorado are taken from the official report of Major Powell’s four year assignment from the U. S. Government to survey the Colorado River valley. Tom Wade goes West as a boy…and returns as a young man.

The author stated that this book was his own personal favorite, and the best among his books for boys. An orphan named Jack Simpson at the age of about 10 begins work in the coal mines. Full of excitement, the book relays a strike against the mine owners, a riot against the youth of the town, and one catastrophe after another, culminating in a deadly explosion. Our maturing hero discovers a way to escape from certain death in the mine and assumes the most dangerous actions needed to save himself and others.

Frank Norris, accused of theft and unable to prove his innocence, leaves for excitement and adventure in the California Gold Fields of 1850’s America. He sails the Atlantic, braves a storm while working as a barge man on the Mississippi, survives an Indian attack while crossing the plains with a caravan, strikes it rich in the California Gold Mines, and is finally able to clear his name and return to England to claim his rightful inheritance. A great adventure story that illuminates the trials and tribulations of many who traveled to California during the great Gold Rush!

Australia in the 1830’s was a wild place. Reuben Whitney, escaping an inaccurate perception of him in England, enjoys an adventurous passage onboard the Paramatta, and sails ‘down under.’ Joining the police force, he makes his mark in conflicts with the Aborigines and Bushrangers. Finally he saves the life of a squire’s daughter who has emigrated to Australia following her fathers financial ruin. This story is filled with adventure, close calls, and historical information about the early days of Australia!

The story is laid in Yorkshire in 1812, when the introduction of machinery and high price of food induced by the Napoleonic Wars, drove the working-classes to desperation, and caused them to band themselves in that wide-spread organization known as the Luddite Society. There is an abundance of adventure in the tale, but its chief interest lies in the character of the hero, and the manner in which he is put on trial for his life, but at last comes victorious “through the fray.

In 1812 Napoleon invaded Russia. Two brothers, diligent Frank and carefree Julian, end up on different sides of the conflict! Napoleon’s army of 500,000 defeat the Russians at Smolensk and Borodino, but wait too long after entering a deserted Moscow for Russia’s capitulation, which never comes. Retreat is the only option and a mere fifth of the army survive. Frank and Julian meet in Moscow under unexpected circumstances; one as the aid-de-camp to Sir Robert Wilson, the other having rescued the child of a Russian nobleman.

The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, ushered in the French Revolution. Within four years, the king was executed and a revolutionary tribunal was established to judge “enemies of the people.” Led by Robespierre, the Jacobins sought to establish a “Republic of Virtue” and to achieve it, the property of nobles was seized and “enemies” tried and sent to the guillotine. Known as the Reign of Terror, everyone associated with the monarchy, expressed royalist views, or opposed the committee, faced potential execution. Harry Sandwith, a companion of a French family, wins their confidence and becomes the protector of the three daughters. After the girls are condemned to death in the coffin-ships, Harry saves the girls and the gets them safely to England.

Ralph Conway is captured by a privateer and has many adventures in the Caribbean. Returning home, he and his friend Stapleton join the 28th Regiment, fight in Ireland, and in 1815 embark for Belgium to fight the French. The armies of the Duke of Wellington and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte finally meet in the decisive Battle of Waterloo in Flanders. When the smoke cleared over 47,000 lay on the field either dead or wounded. Napoleon is exiled to Elba and a relative peace of 40 years settled on Europe until the Crimean War.

Shortly before the United States Revolutionary war against England, most inhabitants were her loyal subjects. France had control of much of southern Canada and the “western” lands of the current states of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Skirmishes abounded for years between English settlers pushing west and French settlers and her Indian accomplices. The Seven Years War in Europe spilled over to the colonies, where General Wolfe finally defeated the French in Quebec. Includes depictions of the battles of Forts Duquesne and Necessity in Pennsylvania, and Forts Ticonderoga and William Henry in New York, and Quebec in Canada.

While we were fighting our “French and Indian War”, the rest of Europe was fighting what is now called “The Seven Years’ War.” Same war, different names! On the continent of Europe, Frederick the Great raised Prussia (modern-day Poland) to the rank of a first rate powerhouse as a result of his incredible military genius, resolution, and the sheer force of his personality. In the progress of the war his armies serially defeated French, Austrian, and Russian armies, and after a few defeats, concluded a somewhat lasting peace in 1763. Our hero, Fergus Drummond, a Scottish lad on the losing side of a war with England, seeks fame and fortune fighting for someone else in Europe as a career. He fights at all the major battles, is twice captured and twice escapes, and finishes his Continental career by marrying a German heiress.

The Battles of Lexington and Concord, Bunker Hill, The Declaration of Independence, Washington Crossing the Delaware, Saratoga, and the final surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown – these are the scenes that stir the soul of many an American. But to an Englishman, they do no such thing. This Henty novel retells these stirring tales, but from a different perspective, helping listeners learn how the other side viewed this miraculous triumph of freedom that inspires millions throughout the world still today.

Won by the Sword describes the conclusion of the Thirty Years’ War (1640s) recounting the years after the deaths of generals Gustavus Adolphus and Wallenstein when France took the lead in the struggle. The appointment of young Hector Campbell, orphaned son of a Scottish captain, as an aide in the household of the French General Turenne marks the beginning of a series of adventures that includes battles, captures and escapes, a meeting with Mazarin, and high honors and awards for his prowess and bravery in battle.

The 1660s were a time of turmoil in England: Cromwell had been defeated and Charles II, who was sympathetic to the Catholics, was restored to the throne; the Dutch declared war on England; the Plague raged; and the Great Fire of London destroyed half the city! Our hero, Cyril, at the death of his father Sir Aubrey Shenstone, inherits nothing except his father’s title, and works as a bookkeeper for various London tradesmen. Honest, hardworking, and quick-thinking, he uncovers the plots of thieves, diverts a fire-ship in a sea-battle, serves as a doctor’s assistant during the Plague, and prevents the murder of one of his friends. Wounded in the sea-battle, and later contracting the Plague, he survives all and receives back as a gift, the estates that his father had lost.

The Thirty Year’s War began with Protestants revolting against Catholic domination in Bohemia, an historical region in today’s Czech Republic. Gustavus Adolphus joined the fight late in the game, but headed the formidable Swedish military machine that many Catholic armies fell before. Gustavus has been considered as great a general as Alexander the Great, and he animated his armies by example, exceeding all other armies in tactics, organization, and arms. Our Hero, Malcolm Graham, is a Scotsman fighting under Gustavus. He meets other leaders, Mackay, Hepburn, and Munro, goes undercover as a clock maker, confronts rebellions peasants, and marries the lovely and gracious Thelka.

It’s the time of the English Civil War in 1642. Harry Furness is a Cavalier fighting for the King; his friend Herbert Rippinghall sides with the Roundheads in opposition. Oliver Cromwell leads the rebels aligned against the King and his admittedly tyrannical rule, but ends up imposing his own! Most of the story follows Harry Furness and the campaigns which take him all over the British Isles and the high seas, right through his capture at Drogheda and enslavement in Bermuda. Both Harry and Herbert live to see the end of the conflict and the new royal order.

In 1381, Wat, the Tyler, and the peasants he represented, urged of the King of England that serfdom should be abolished, the right of all to market their goods publicly be allowed, the price of good land to be not over four pennies an acre, and that all past offenses should be pardoned. Instead of presenting their requests in a respectful manner, they took to the streets of East Anglia, Kent and London. Although their demands were certainly reasonable, their methods were not. Come along with Edgard Ormskirk as he helps put down the rebellion and save the lives of many in the process.

With hearty singing of Psalms, Drake and his crew greeted the Pomo Indians who resided in an area known today as San Francisco. Sir Francis Drake is the first English explorer to circumnavigate the globe and thus sail upon the Pacific Ocean. Ned Hearne and three of his friends make up part of Drake’s crew. The boys will share in Drake’s adventures on the Spanish Main in the 1580s. The heroic adventures of Francis Drake and life on the Spanish Main (Central America) will come alive through the masterful storytelling of G.A. Henty.

On August 24, 1572, more than 2000 French Huguenots – men, women, and children – were massacred for their faith. In St. Bartholomew’s Eve, Henty vividly depicts Admiral Coligny’s unflinching bravery, Queen Elizabeth’s vacillating foreign policy, Catherine de Medici’s vindictive scheming, and the Queen of Navarre’s inner strength as he recounts the adventures of Phillip Fletcher, son of an Englishman and a Frenchwoman, who journeys to France to take part in the Huguenots’ struggle for freedom. He and his band of soldiers see much combat, and Phillip’s skill as a swordsman and marksman is required innumerable times before he returns as a hero to England.

The conquest of the Aztec Empire by Hernando Cortez and a mere handful of Spaniards is one of the greatest romances of history. A writer of fiction would scarcely have dared to invent so improbable a story, but it is true. Fortunately, Cortez was able to ally himself with many peoples conquered by the Aztecs who were all too happy to assist in their downfall. Roger Hawkshaw, a shipwrecked Englishman, presenting himself as a long-lost Spaniard, assists Cortez in his many adventures.

From 1579 through 1585, the heroic Dutch Protestants fight for freedom from Catholic Spanish rule. Few know of the persistent efforts of the Prince of Orange, known as William the Silent, or the huge obstacles he faced as the leader of the Dutch. Through the eyes of Ned Martin you will be taken back to these turbulent and troubled times. Learn about the noble character of William the Silent, 16th Century Dutch history, and the brutality of the Spanish. Ned enters the service of the Prince as a volunteer, and is employed by him in many dangerous missions, in the discharge of which he passes through the great sieges of the time.

Set in 1585 through 1604, this sequel to By Pike and Dyke continues the story of the Dutch Protestant struggle for independence from their Spanish Catholic rulers. Two English brothers experience the major conflicts in the struggle meeting one of the greatest generals of the time, Sir Francis Vere. Their adventures include the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the battle of Cadiz and Ostend, life in Holland and Spain, and more. Henty’s legendary storytelling once again captures the reader’s imagination while educating his readers.

In 1380, Venice is a world power. She is mistress of the sea, had checked the rising power of the Turks, conquered Constantinople, and successfully defied all the attacks of her jealous rivals. But now, her strength and splendor were put to the severest test by the combined powers of Hungary, Padua and Genoa. In an atmosphere of intrigue, crime and treachery, Francis Hammond displays a fine sense and manliness which carry him safely through the storm in the watery splendor of Venice.

The Saxons and Vikings fought many fierce battles in Britain in the 8th and 9th centuries. During the struggle, 23-year-old Alfred ascended the throne and temporarily beat back the pagan hordes and concluded a peace treaty. Following another war in 878, peace was again achieved; the Danish King Guthrum accepted Christianity and withdrew to East Anglia, and Alfred the Great fortified cities, built a navy, codified laws, and revived learning among the Saxons until his death in A.D. 900. The hero is a Saxon thane named Edmund who joins the forces of King Alfred, fighting the Danes on land and in their own element, the sea, in his ship The Dragon. Carried by storms to the shores of Norway, he defeats Sweyn the Viking in single combat, takes part in the siege of Paris on behalf of the Franks, and tracks down his nemesis in order to rescue the Danish maiden he will later marry.

The years 1400–1403 were among the most stirring in the history of England. Owen Glendower, angered by the usurpation of the English throne by Henry IV, carried fire and slaughter to the Welsh counties, capturing most of the strong places held by the English, and foiling three invasions led by the king himself. A coalition under the English Percy, Welshmen Glendower and Mortimer, and Scotsman Douglas, tried to combine forces to unseat Henry, but were themselves defeated at the battle of Shrewsbury. The continual state of unrest and warfare on “both sides of the border” are full of stirring adventures for our hero, Oswald Forster.

From 1413–1415 the butcher’s guild, otherwise known as the “White Hoods” of Paris, kept that city in a state of near anarchy. With a mad king, a virtual civil war between the houses of Orleans and Burgundy, and King Henry V of England claiming the French throne, there is plenty of opportunity for Guy Aylmer, a squire to Sir Eustace de Villeroy, to show his mettle in many a skirmish, finally winning his spurs at the lopsided victory of the English over the French at the Battle of Agincourt on October 25, 1415.

The story begins during the War of the Roses in England, but our hero, Gervaise Tresham soon joins the Knights of St. John in Rhodes. Dedicated to God’s service and pious in his personal life, Gervaise uncovers a plot, saves the coast of Italy from the Muslim corsairs, and is knighted by the Grand Prior. After being captured by and escaping from the enemy, the young English knight draws his sword in the defense of Rhodes. He finds himself in a tough position desiring marriage, but having taken a vow of chastity! In the end, it is the Roman pontiff himself that gives him the release he needs to wed.

No portion of English history is more crowded with great events than the 100 Years’ War from 1337–1453 under King Edward III and his son, the “Black Prince.” The Battles of Cressy and Poitiers; the destruction of the Spanish fleet; the plague of the Black Death; and the Jacquerie rising are vividly related in this historically accurate adventure novel. Walter Somers, although of good family, begins life as a London apprentice, but after countless adventures and perils, by valor and good conduct, becomes a squire, and at last the trusted friend of the Black Prince.

Liberty or death – this was the choice the people of 14th century Scotland faced if they rose up against their English ruler. Most would say it was no choice at all. Many of the Scottish nobles were English supporters. Few could be expected to rise up against the numerically overwhelming English army. The hero of the story, Archibald Forbes, joins the struggle for Scottish freedom led by the valiant Sir William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. The extraordinary valor and personal prowess of these men rival the deeds of the mythical heroes of chivalry. Henty weaves a wonderful story around the actual events of 1314 at Bannockburn.

Mr. Henty weaves a story of the life and times of King Richard the Lion-hearted 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 providing 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’.

When Harold Godwinson is crowned King of England in 1066, William of Normandy contests his right to be king because of an oath Harold had earlier sworn to support William’s own acquisition of the throne. Henty’s treatment of this critical time in history of the English people is even-handed and his portrayal of Harold Godwinson – a king much neglected in our day – is a sympathetic one. Wulf of Steyning a young Saxon thane in the service of Earl Harold, accompanies him on his fateful trip to Normandy, takes part in the Welsh wars, the Battle of Stamford Bridge, and the Battle of Hastings. Growing to manhood in such tumultuous times, Wulf’s fidelity and honor earn him the respect of all he serves.

Mr. Henty tells an exciting story from the record of Josephus. The troubles in the district of Tiberias, the march of the legions, the sieges of Jotapata, of Gamala, and of Jerusalem all come to life. In this impressive and carefully studied historic setting, you will follow a lad, John of Gamala, who passes from the vineyard to the service of Josephus, becomes the leader of a guerrilla band of patriots, fights bravely for the Temple, and after a brief term of slavery at Alexandria, returns to his Galilean home with the favor of Titus. The fall of Jerusalem is brought to life in this classic.

Beric, a boy-chief of a British tribe, takes a prominent part in the insurrection against Rome under Queen Boadicea. These efforts are useless against the mighty Roman army. For a short time, Beric and his companions continue the fight but are ultimately defeated and taken as prisoners to Rome. Through the eyes of Beric, the reader learns of life in 61 A.D. Rome, the gladiatorial schools, the great fire and life in Nero’s court. This classic work will shed light upon an event much neglected in history today.

The Young Carthaginian chronicles the struggle of the Second Punic War (218–203 B.C.) and the attempt of Hannibal to conquer Rome. At first the struggle of Carthage against Rome was a struggle for empire, but it became a struggle for existence. Hannibal presses on despite formidable geographical barriers and the corrupt leadership in Carthage which time and again undermined all his efforts. Malchus, Hannibal’s cousin, participates in many historic battles and has his own adventures, finally settling in Gaul with his new bride.

This book covers the oldest time period of any of the Henty novels. In it, young readers will learn much about the domestic life, customs, religion, and military system of ancient Egypt. Amuba, a prince of the Rebu nation on the shores of the Caspian Sea, with his charioteer Jethro, is carried into slavery after losing a battle with the Egyptians. They become servants of the house of Ameres, an Egyptian high priest, and are qutie happy there, until the priest’s son accidentally kills the sacred cat of Bubastes. The locals rise up in rage and kill Ameres, and Jethro and Amuba must escape with the high priest’s son and daughter. After crossing the desert to the Red Sea, they eventually make their way back to freedom.