G a Henty

The Young Buglers (Illustrated) G a Henty

Written by one of the readers: "This is a fun read. It condenses the Peninsular War much more than the Terence O'Connor books. Despite the setting it's pretty light-hearted, though there is one or two really exciting scenes. There is a much-repeated euphemism; some discrimination against Sam, their black soldier servant; drinking and smoking; and several instances when Sam plays being the Devil to frighten Spaniards, during one of which he is undressed. It isn't my favourite Henty book simply because none of the characters really call out to me, but it's an humorous and exciting read. A Favourite Quote: 'The British were now, however, safe in the position which they ought to have taken up before the advance of the French, and had General Craufurd obeyed his orders not to fight beyond the Coa, the lives of 306 of his gallant troops, including the officers, would have been saved.'A Favourite Beautiful Quote: 'The first faint blush of daylight was in the east when they arrived at the cottage[.]"A Favourite Humorous Quote: '...if the head-master's favorite white poodle appeared dyed a deep blue, if Mr. Jones, the most unpopular master in the school, upon coming out of his door trod upon a quantity of tallow smeared all over the doorstep, and was laid up for a week in consequence, there was generally a strong suspicion that Tom and Peter Scudamore were concerned in the matter.'