dandj's Full Review: William P. Robertson, William P. Roberton, David R...
Bucky Culp and his father, Iriquois, reside in a tiny cabin in the wilderness and live off the land. Life is not always easy, especially during the winter months, but things were once quite different. Iriquois had been married to a white woman. The family lived in town, and he worked at the mill, but when Bucky's mother died, Iriquois took their son and left all that behind, returning to the existence he once knew.
Jimmy Jewett is the minister's son and lives in a nice home some ten miles from Bucky's cabin. He attends school and has a fascination for history and government. He is not strong and independent like Bucky. In fact, he is threatened and beat on regularly by a group of bullies.
These two boys, as different as they are, will become the best of friends when, one spring, Bucky is deemed old enough to accompany his father to Smethport for the rendezvous where Iriquois does his trading. Bucky becomes a welcome guest in the Jewett home each spring from then on, and looks forward to the visits.
In 1861, Colonel Thomas Kane begins recruiting men for what will become the Union's Bucktail Regiment. Jimmy is determined to enlist. He is tired of being bullied and considered a momma's boy. He figures becoming a soldier will be the best way to change that. Bucky isn't so sure about joining, but his sense of loyalty and tragic new lack of ties, doesn't allow him to refuse. Within a few short days, the two underage boys will officially be soldiers in the Union army. Bucky as a rifleman and Jimmy as a drummer.
Jimmy soon finds that life is no easier. The men make fun of him, and there is prejudice toward Bucky. They both have to earn the respect of the others, and they won't completely succeed. They will be put into dangerous situations and forced to fight for survival before they even encounter battle.
The things they experience once they do reach the front will change them forever, and their journey has only just begun.
I have not done research on the background of Colonel Thomas Kane to verify details of this book, and I don't intend to. I will, however, look up information simply based on my newfound interest. As this is a work of fiction, I am not going to attempt to hold the authors, William P. Robertson and David Rimer, up to standards of nonfiction. However, the writing speaks for itself, and it is clear that they have done the research. The reader gets a good feeling of what life was like during the time period and what kinds of events could lead to the underaged soldiers that were enlisted during the Civil War.
This is the first book in the Hayfoot, Strawfoot series, and I look forward to delving further in. This is going to be not only a satisfying coming-of-age story, but also one about the strength of friendship. There are many other aspects that will appeal to boys in the intended 9-12 year-old age range . . . adventure, the dangers of the battlefield, and the like. I would think the interest level could even possibly be extended by a couple of years. This is a quick read, but one that will have the grab a person's attention and have them reaching for the next.
The only issue I have with this book is Jimmy's stuttering, and I cannot say that it's an actual con becuase it's just a personal thing. I find the reading does not flow well for me when I have to read that type of writing. However, in reality, the words do not flow easily for the person speaking or listening when a stutter is involved, so it is certainly realistic.
I also was a tiny bit disappointed when I realized that none of the black-and-white photos included mid-way through were of of the actual time period. They are, instead, photos of from a reenactment. Not the same, but still interesting, nonetheless.
I was extremely excited to receive a copy of Hayfoot, Strawfoot : The Bucktail Recruits from author William P. Robertson in exchange for an objective review. I love reading historical works and books involving the Civil War. Mostly, however, I feel that there is a decided lack of fiction aimed toward boys. From working at the school and public libraries, I find that girls seem to be more apt, by nature, to love reading at an earlier age, while boys may take some coaxing. I am hoping to bring this series some exposure so that more readers may be introduced to it and get to know and love Bucky and Jimmy. Perhaps they will even develop a further interest in the time period and want to learn more.
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On a side note: As this is an historical work, I would like to submit it as an entry into the 9/9/99 to 9/9/09 write-off celebration hosted by sleeper54. Epinions has officially reached its tenth year, and my own ten years in epinions' history will arrive this upcoming December. I have found a place here, on this site, to not only voice my opinions on products in an effort to help others, but also to call home. There is a sense of community that I've found nowhere else due to the open and friendly nature of the members, some of whom I've been blessed to meet in person.
Here's to you epinions . . . for a fantastic roller coaster of a decade, and the hopes of many more to come.
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