By England's Aid: The Freeing of the Netherlands (Henty Historical Novel Collection)($24.86Value)

Description

G.A. Henty novels are highly researched as well as drawn from his first-hand experiences of people, places, and events. 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 them all the while. George Alfred Henty (1832-1902) was born in Trumpington, England. He studied at Cambridge but left without his degree to volunteer for service in the Crimean War. After several failed attempts at careers, he decided in 1865 to become a writer, beginning as a correspondent for the Standard . He wrote his first boys’ adventure, Out of the Pampas, in 1868, and its popularity spurred him to write some eighty more children’s books. Drawing on his own experiences fighting in the Crimean War and as a foreign correspondent in Europe and Africa, Henty fashioned stories for children that combined realism and what he called a “manly tone.” His novels encompass an array of times and places from the early days of Egypt to the mines of the California Gold Rush. He died in 1906, having left a legacy of 144 books and several short stories.