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Random House (1959), 180 pages
Description
Welcome back one of the most beloved and requested histories for children! It relates a little known but crucial episode in the Revolutionary War, one that inspired the fictional motion picture, The Patriot in 2000. With no pay and little ammunition, a small band of backwoodsmen carried on a private war with the British redcoats in South Carolina during the American Revolution. Led by Francis Marion, these guerilla fighters struck fear into the hearts of the English as time and time again they ambushed soldiers and knocked out a string of forts before disappearing mysteriously into the swamps. Marion’s unorthodox tactics demoralized and terrified the Redcoats so much that they were eventually driven from the South.
User reviews
LibraryThing member TadAD
He's not as famous as Washington, Revere, Henry or Hale, but Francis Marion—the Swamp Fox—played a not-insignificant part in American history. He's considered one of the originators of modern guerilla warfare and a precursor of the various special operations groups in the military. Modern
Holbrook's history will be quite readable for young adults, its targeted audience. He makes it read like an adventure story as Marion wages war against the British through the swamps and back woods of South Carolina. You get a real sense of how a band of highly motivated irregulars, refusing to follow the rules of "honorable" warfare, can be extremely effective and strike fear into their enemies.
Some of the harsher aspects of his methods are glossed over...aspects that opponents would probably describe with very different labels than the "American Hero" sentiments of this story. For that reason, readers with British or Tory sympathies will probably find the book less pleasing but, given the age of the intended readers, it struck me as a reasonable decision—discussions of terrorist tactics not necessarily being a good thing for a pre-teen.
Given how little kids seem to know about history today, I give it a mild recommendation.
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audiences are more likely to know of his exploits from the loosely-based Mel Gibson movie, The Patriot.Holbrook's history will be quite readable for young adults, its targeted audience. He makes it read like an adventure story as Marion wages war against the British through the swamps and back woods of South Carolina. You get a real sense of how a band of highly motivated irregulars, refusing to follow the rules of "honorable" warfare, can be extremely effective and strike fear into their enemies.
Some of the harsher aspects of his methods are glossed over...aspects that opponents would probably describe with very different labels than the "American Hero" sentiments of this story. For that reason, readers with British or Tory sympathies will probably find the book less pleasing but, given the age of the intended readers, it struck me as a reasonable decision—discussions of terrorist tactics not necessarily being a good thing for a pre-teen.
Given how little kids seem to know about history today, I give it a mild recommendation.
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LibraryThing member torrey23
This book outlines the role of Francis Marion in the Revolutionary War. Marion is an individual who is often overlooked as a key player. Marion provide significant resistance to the British in the South. This was done at a time when there were virtually no other obstacles to British advancement.
This book is not an in depth look at Marion. It is, however, a book that provides a good overview for children. My 8 year old daughter loved the book. It is well written, and is well worth the read. Children, or even adults who are not familiar with Marion's exploits, will enjoy this book. I recommend it to anyone who fits these categories.
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Marionw as able to check the advance to a degree that held up the British long enough for American forces to arrive.This book is not an in depth look at Marion. It is, however, a book that provides a good overview for children. My 8 year old daughter loved the book. It is well written, and is well worth the read. Children, or even adults who are not familiar with Marion's exploits, will enjoy this book. I recommend it to anyone who fits these categories.
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180 p.