Synopses & Reviews
Nonfiction master Russell Freedman illuminates for young readers the complex and rarely discussed subject of World War I. The tangled relationships and alliances of many nations, the introduction of modern weaponry, and top-level military decisions that resulted in thousands upon thousands of casualties all contributed to the "great war," which people hoped and believed would be the only conflict of its kind. In this clear and authoritative account, the Newbery Medal-winning author shows the ways in which the seeds of a second world war were sown in the first. Numerous archival photographs give the often disturbing subject matter a moving visual counterpart. Includes source notes, a bibliography, and an index.
Review
'\"Young readers researching the military and social history of the American Revolution will find this an excellent resource.\"'
Review
"A brief history based on the privately printed memoirs of Joseph Plumb Martin, who, at the age of 15, signed up for the Connecticut state militia on July 6, 1776, and stayed with the army for the next seven years. This work offers a view of the Revolutionary War missing from most books-instead of the broad sweep of dramatic events and change, readers see the daily misery, boredom, confusion, terror, and only occasional triumph of army life. Murphy provides the best of both, the drama and the grind, appeasing readersand#8217; fascination with war without romanticizing."
Kirkus Reviews with Pointers
"Murphy presents the life of Joseph Plumb Martin, a 15-year-old Connecticut farm boy, who enlisted in the Continental Army in 1776. . . . The book is generously illustrated with black-and-white maps and reproductions; captions present information that complements rather than repeats the text. . . . An outstanding example of history brought to life through the experience of one individual." School Library Journal, Starred
"Young readers researching the military and social history of the American Revolution will find this an excellent resource." Booklist, ALA, Starred Review
Review
"In his signature lucid style, Freedman offers a photo-essay that examines World War I. . .An important addition to history curriculum."--
Booklist, starred review "Elegantly written and filled with vivid, powerful photographs, this masterful work demands a spot in every collection."--
School Library Journal,and#160;starred review"Freedman once again demonstrates his incomparable mastery of presenting complex, sweeping historical subjects in an engaging, dynamic narrative."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"[Freedman's] dramatic, often heart-wrenching narrative ends with a brief description of the rise of Hitler, leading to the reopening of hostilities in 1939. Although his focus is the war in Europe, and the book is unusually evenhanded in assessing the faults and virtues of the combatant countries, Freedman touches on fighting elsewhere in the world."--Horn Book, starred review"It was the war that world leaders didn't want to fight, and the war that didn't quite end, and here Freedman narrates its story with a steady eye on the wasteful atrocity that ushered in modern warfare. . . . Freedman's timely organization of chronological events and topical issues is masterful, and the allegretto pacing of his narration seems deceptively effortless."--The Bulletin, starred review
"This gritty, well-sourced account of WWI offers a compelling and often horrific look at the conflict. Freedman (Washington at Valley Forge) hooks readers with his fluid style and a detail-rich story of Archduke Ferdinand's assassination and the political powder keg that existed at the time in Europe...Readers' conclusions will likely mirror that of a French soldier writing in his diary just before he was killed: "Humanity is mad!... What scenes of horror and carnage!"--Publishers Weekly, starred reviewand#160;
Synopsis
In the summer of 1776, Joseph Plumb Martin was a fifteen-year-old Connecticut farm boy who considered himself "as warm a patriot as the best of them." He enlisted that July and stayed in the revolutionary army until hostilities ended in 1783. Martin fought under Washington, Lafayette, and Steuben. He took part in major battles in New York, Monmouth, and Yorktown. He wintered at Valley Forge and then at Morristown, considered even more severe. He wrote of his war years in a memoir that brings the American Revolution alive with telling details, drama, and a country boy's humor. Jim Murphy lets Joseph Plumb Martin speak for himself throughout the text, weaving in historical backfround details wherever necessary, giving voice to a teenager who was an eyewitness to the fight that set America free from the British Empire.
Synopsis
The story of the American Revolution as experienced by a Connecticut farm boy who enlisted in the army in 1776. Only fifteen when he enlisted, Joseph Plumb Martin spent the rest of his teen and young adult years marching, working, fighting, foraging, and starving while serving under the likes of Washington and Lafayette.
A Young Patriot skillfully weaves together excerpts from Martin's wartime account with the author's explanatory text to create a fascinating and factual history of the American Revolution.
Through the mix of Martin's observations and experiences, the historical context that Murphy provides, and maps and archival prints, the book vividly reveals the grit and drama of war -- and a teenager who was eyewitness to a Revolution.
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Synopsis
The story of the American Revolution as experienced by a Connecticut farm boy who enlisted in the army in 1776. A Young Patriot skillfully weaves together excerpts from the boy's wartime account with the author's explanatory text to create a fascinating and factual history of the American Revolution.
Only fifteen when he enlisted, Joseph Plumb Martin spent the rest of his teen and young adult years marching, working, fighting, foraging, and starving while serving under the likes of Washington and Lafayette.
Through the mix of Martin's observations and experiences, the historical context that Murphy provides, and maps and archival prints, the book vividly reveals the grit and drama of war--and a teenager who was eyewitness to a Revolution.
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Synopsis
In this clear and authoritative account, Russell Freedman illuminates for young readers the complex and rarely discussed subject of World War I, showing the ways in which the seeds of a second world war were sown in the first.
About the Author
Jim Murphy was born in Newark, New Jersey, and earned a B.A. in English from Rutgers University. From 1970 to 1977 he was the managing editor for Clarion Books. Murphy has more than twenty-five books to his credit. He is a two-time winner of both the SCBWI Golden Kite Award and the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award, and earned a Newbery Honor for THE GREAT FIRE (Scholastic). His most recent title for Clarion, AN AMERICAN PLAGUE, was chosen as the National Book Award finalist, a Newbery Honor Book, the Robert F. Informational Book Award winner, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Nonfiction Award winner, and the James Madison Award winner. Jim Murphy lives in Maplewood, New Jersey, with his family.