Reading History@amyshelflife ---video no. 8

 

Hope you will take a look at my latest video!  Here is the link. Well, two links.  They are exactly the same content, just the comment section differs.  My computer skills are primeval, and I often overlook technical details when I upload these videos.   Again, they are exactly the same except for the comment section.  

Reading history@amyshelflife - YouTube

Reading History Video No 8 - YouTube

Two by Daphne Du Maurier

Golden Lads

Daphne Du Maurier strikes again, but this time with a book of history, Golden Lads. There seems no genre in which she doesn’t excel.  The golden lads of the title are three men of the Elizabethan court—brothers Anthony and Francis Bacon and Robert “Robin” Devereux, Earl of Essex. 

The brothers Bacon are the sons of Nicholas Bacon who was Elizabeth I’s Lord Keeper of the Seal.  They are also the nephews of William Cecil, Elizabeth’s Lord Treasurer so they are eminently well-connected at court. Devereux is a soldier and on-again-off-again favorite of Elizabeth (not in romantic sense though Durant hinted at such in Vol. 7).  Just what captured Du Maurier’s imagination about this particular trio is not clear to me, but some insights are offered here. 

St. Olave's Church where Anthony Bacon is buried

The focus of the book is on Anthony who is a spy for the court and operates at a distance from it.  If I recall correctly, he never came in direct contact with the Queen.  Anthony’s is a shadowy, solitary life with charges of homosexuality, an affinity and friendship with Montaigne and important connections to Henry IV of Navarre and France.  

Francis occupies a lesser role in the book, but we see how he cajoles, calculates and cadges to be assigned a place of power in Elizabeth’s realm.  There are hints at the Francis Bacon/William Shakespeare connection. Du Maurier has an entire book on this Bacon brother, The Winding Stair:  Francis Bacon His Rise and Fall.  Who knew she had even written about him!  I tell you, her talents are legion! 

Devereux receives the least number of pages I’d say though his life was intertwined with the lives of the Bacons in ways that I can’t neatly summarize here.  I do admit that some of the historical details blew by me.  

This is not a casual book.  Chapter by chapter sources are listed, a lot of them correspondence and official papers in addition to books of both history and literature.  Du Maurier’s research is impressive.  She informs the reader that Anthony Bacon’s letters are housed at Lambeth Palace Library and “over three hundred original letters in the collection were transcribed for me,….”  I recommend this book for its microcosmic look at the Elizabethan era.  There are pictures.  The church in the picture posted at left has significance in the book. 

 The House on the Strand

In The House on the Strand, we return to fiction, fiction that melds into history and borders on fantasy that is.  When I read the dust jacket-flap summary, a man experiments with hallucinogenic drugs, I glanced at the publication date, 1969, and thought, Oh no, has even the grande dame succumbed to writing about hippies, acid heads and addicts?  I was slow to pick up the book after that, but glad I did.  Mrs. Du Maurier had done nothing of the sort.  

This is one of the oddest, largely unbelievable yet nonetheless captivating stories I’ve ever read.  A normal man on vacation with his wife in Cornwall is the guinea pig for a drug that his friend is concocting, a drug that tampers with memory and the brain. The action see-saws between the normal man on vacation in Cornwall and that same man stumbling about that same area of Cornwall in the 14th century.  I kid you not.  I do not normally like books of this sort, almost a sci-fi feel, but Du Maurier has worked her magic. While this book is certainly not about hippies or acid-heads, there is something of the addict here, but I shan't say more.  Do read this book.

George Washington and Benedict Arnold by Dave R. Palmer (mention given to Valiant Ambition by Nathaniel Philbrick)

The publisher calls Palmer's book a dual biography.  It is subtitled A Tale of Two Patriots.  The author

laid out George Washington’s (1732-1799) and Benedict Arnold’s (1741-1801) respective lives in parallel--Washington’s childhood, Arnold’s childhood; Washington’s early adult years, Arnold’s early adult years.  Then the Revolutionary War begins.  

In 1775, Washington is in Boston, Arnold at Fort Ticonderoga.  In 1776, Washington is losing Manhattan and the lower Hudson, Arnold is fighting to a draw against the Brits and managing to hold the upper Hudson for the patriots.  In 1777 Washington is losing the Battle of the Brandywine in September while Arnold is victorious at, first, the Battle of Ridgefield and then the Battle of Freeman’s Farm (Saratoga).  So it goes.  The parallels cease of course when Arnold turns to treason in 1779 and finagles a command at West Point so that he can hand the post over to the British.

Much has been written about Washington’s personality. Flawed as all humans are, George Washington was nonetheless a man of tremendous character.  He consistently practiced honesty, self-control, altruism and prudent judgment. He was courageous in battle, frequently riding into the heat of a fray. Recognized as an excellent horseman, he was a physically imposing figure, mindful of his appearance and reputation, ambitious in his goals.  Yet, he was relied upon by the majority of his contemporaries as the man who could exercise oversight with fairness and guide the unsteady nation with prudence.   

Benedict Arnold was also one of the most courageous, fighting men in the Revolutionary War, and, like Washington he had drive and spirit. Arnold, however, was a self-serving man with a fiery, combative personality. He was impulsive, often aggressive and brusque.  Arnold never felt he got the recognition he deserved for his military achievements (it’s hard not to agree with him) and he was preoccupied with wealth and all its outward trappings.  What made Arnold turn on the cause for which he had had such passion?  Most agree that it was ego, ambition and money.  His second wife, young Peggy Shippen of Philadelphia, equally materialistic and ambitious, is believed to have urged him on in his decision to betray the Revolution.  

In addition to the biographical chapters at the beginning of the book, the author takes the reader through the battles of the war leading up to and including Arnold’s treason at West Point.  Palmer closes out his book with a look at why these two lives ceased to march in parallel.

The author, Dave Palmer, is Retired Lt General Dave Palmer who was a 1956 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and superintendent of the same from 1986 to 199.  How fitting then that Palmer examines his subjects according to the goals of the institution so much a part of his life.  The U.S. Military Academy aims to turn its cadets into leaders of character.  Character, Palmer explains, hinges on virtue---fortitude (physical and moral courage), temperance (control of the passions and appetites), prudence (practical wisdom and the ability to know right from wrong, make right decisions) and justice (fairness, honesty, lawfulness, loyalty).  Palmer evaluates Washington and Arnold in each of the four virtues.  No surprise that General Washington scores 100 on all four.  And Arnold?

Palmer gives him full credit in only one category, fortitude. Arnold’s battlefield drive, his willingness to go to the front line, his taking a stand once he began something and his good mind on the battlefield regardless of danger to himself distinguish him in this category.  On prudence Arnold gets half credit.  Palmer reasons that Arnold did show good judgment in matters of combat though he could not sustain that judgment off the battlefield.  On temperance Arnold rates a zero. Arnold consistently indulged his emotions and his desire for material rewards. Lastly, justice was a huge problem for someone of Arnold’s self-absorption and self-indulgence. He promoted himself over others (even his wife).  He was dishonest when convenient and practiced deception recklessly and without remorse in order to achieve his goals. 

Palmer’s style is very readable and he takes seriously his analysis of the character and leadership qualities of these two historic figures.  This comparison was missing from Nathaniel Philbrick’s Valiant Ambition though I should mention that reading Philbrick’s book first probably helped make Palmer’s book easier reading! Palmer’s book needs many more maps and could use a few more photographs.  However, the photos that are included are not the routine; photos are credited to the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, Norwich Historical Society and The Granger Collection.  I would recommend Palmer over Philbrick for the West Point perspective and thoughtful comparison Palmer brought to the subject.  

Finally, Palmer leaves us a visual of our two generals.  At West Point, a statue of George Washington on horseback dominates the Plain, a center point of the post.  Still on post but down the road and out of sight unless you make the trip is the old Cadet Chapel.  Inside, Palmer explains, are plaques that carry the names, rank, birth date and death date of heroes of American battles.  The single plaque that lists only rank and date of birth is Arnold's.  Benedict Arnold's name does not appear.  No date of death is given.  As Palmer writes, “…traitors never die, they simply cease to exist.”    

Six Books of Young Adult Fiction

Young Adult Fiction (YAF) is a category of writing for readers ages 12-18. The key characteristic of YAF is that the protagonist be a teenager. The themes are usually those of self-discovery, coming-of-age, figuring out the world and one’s role in it.  What is my purpose in life? What do I believe? Why am I here? Who am I?  The writing is in-the-moment as opposed to reflection or reverse chronologies.  The books I’ll discuss here are not current titles in YAF.  They are mostly nostalgia reading on my part.  By the way, 55% of YAF readers are adults.  I am not alone. 

First up, A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L’Engle (1980).  The protagonist is sixteen-year- old Vicky Austin, a sensitive and smart teen who writes poetry and is choosing among three very different suitors.  The story opens with the funeral of the father of one her suitors, Leo, a still-gawky but good-hearted adolescent. The next is Zachary, an urbane, rich boy.  Then there’s Adam who studies dolphins at the nearby Marine Biology Station for the summer.  Adam is college-age and suavely intellectual.  

The Austin family is also quite intellectual as well as refined and accomplished.  They read Shakespeare after dinner.  They sing together accompanied by their almost-professional mother on the guitar.  The oldest brother goes to MIT and Dad is a doctor doing research.  Grandfather is dying and he’s benevolent and patient, filled with the wisdom of the ages.  I felt overwhelmed by the lofty perfection.  

My introduction to Madeline L’Engle was A Wrinkle in Time in the 5^th grade.  I loved the book.  As with that book, this book also has elements of the supernatural.  Although L’Engle’s overall message is one that reflects a tenderness for adolescence guided by traditional values and Christian teachings, I found unsettling her particular admixture of traditional and Christian with a New Age, sixth-sense-supernatural perspective.  This short bio of Ms. L’Engle explains her outlook well I think and helped me understand why she writes as she does.  While I can see the value in this book for some readers, it did not resonate with me at all nor would it have resonated had I read it at 16.  Vicky was likeable, but even at my advanced age, I still can’t imagine why anyone would want to swim with dolphins let alone talk to them.  That is just not real life.     

Next on the list are four books with a male protagonist. The Story of Mad Anthony Wayne by Hazel Wilson (1953) tells of the life and times of Revolutionary War hero, Anthony Wayne.  This is a volume in the Signature Books series by Grosset & Dunlap. Wayne is from my hometown area in southeastern Pennsylvania.  This book is well-written and takes us through Wayne’s childhood, military career and later life. This is an excellent and thorough biography of a man who exhibited fire and courage and love of country.

Adam of the Road (1942) is by Elizabeth Janet Gray whom I’ve written about here. This is a father-son story set in late 13^th century England.  Eleven-year-old Adam is separated from his minstrel father, Roger, about midway through the book. Adam’s literal search for his father is a spiritual sort of search for himself.  Adam loves and reveres his father and wants also to be a minstrel. This book of historical fiction is not heavy on plot, but there are good guys and bad guys along the way.  There is challenge and adventure and plenty of information about the era (the book could have used a glossary for all the medieval vocabulary). The story is charmingly told and has an important message about fathers and sons.  The last words of the book are Roger speaking to Adam.  “You have done well, son.”  What young man would not want to hear those words from his father.

The Sign of the Beaver (1983) is written by Elizabeth George Speare.  Here is young Matt, about to turn 13, left to mind the family’s new frontier cabin and property while his father goes back to civilization to pack up the household and then return to the wilderness with the rest of the family. The year is 1769 or so and the setting is Maine. Like My Side of the Mountain, this is a wilderness survival tale, but Speare is more clearly intent on presenting a coming-of-age story.  Matt grows up by developing the virtues of loyalty and courage.  He learns about himself and the world through friendship with others. Matt perseveres and his father’s words to him at the end of the book are: “You’ve done a grown man’s job, son.   I’m right proud of you.”  More words for young men to grow on.

Sam Gribley is another young man on a journey of sorts. The book is Jean Craighead George’s My Side of the Mountain (1959).  Sam runs away from home, which is an apartment on Third Avenue in NYC, and lives off the land in the Catskills.  His home away from home is a large hemlock tree.  He hunts, fishes and gathers based on an encyclopedic knowledge of the flora and fauna of the woods.  To keep warm and cook, he constructs an indoor fireplace.  He sews his clothes from animal furs and skins. He befriends weasels and raccoons, and he raises and trains a hawk. Sam doesn’t get fleas or even mosquito bites and he is only sickly once.   Whew! 

The author clearly knows whereof she speaks when describing wilderness survival. She offers some explanation of her knowledge in the introduction.  The illustrations of plants and objects are her own. Yet, while it’s an engaging story, it was entirely unbelievable to me, fantasy without a purpose.  I simply could not relate. Despite the author’s introductory remark that there is a universal kid-desire to run away from home, I never even remotely considered such an awful thing. 

Maybe this is more of a boy’s passage-into-manhood book.  Young Sam certainly does very manly things and exhibits a lot of gutsy confidence to spend so much time all alone with forest animals, snowstorms and passing strangers.   I won’t give away the ending except to say that Sam’s father is more of a 60s kind of free spirit.     

I’ve saved the best for last.  In my opinion, everyone should read The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare (1961).  The author has ingeniously and succinctly explained what it means to be a man (and indirectly a woman) and to follow Christ.  That’s a pretty tall order for a work of YAF.  The setting is the Holy Land in the year 30 AD or thereabouts.  Jesus is one of the characters in the story as is Simon the Zealot who will become one of Christ’s twelve apostles.  The protagonist is Daniel, a Jew of probably 15 to 18 years of age, whose rage against the Romans along with his expectations of the coming Messiah have driven him to an outlaw’s life.  Daniel has a choice to make as to what kind of man he will be and how he will fight for freedom.  There’s action and suspense right up to the end.  In fact, I became quite agitated reading the last ten pages as I awaited Daniel’s choice. 

I read this as a younger self not knowing much about the life and times of Christ. Nonetheless, Speare’s young protagonists and their concerns must have emerged to me as understandable and genuine. Their thoughts and dilemmas must have drawn me in.  The inclusion of Jesus as a walking, talking character in the narrative must have brought the past into the present and, again, I was drawn in.  So it was this time reading as an adult.  Ms. Speare is a wonderful writer. 

I hope you'll choose from among these titles to read for yourself or pass along to kids and grandkids.  

Video Number 7

Hope you'll tune in my next video, Number 7, with special guests!  Link is below:  

Reading History No 7@Amy Shelflife - YouTube