Sadly, this was the last book Kingston wrote. He was diagnosed with a rapid fatal illness while he was writing it, and he used the opportunity of bidding his young readers farewell in the Preface. There is a lot of action in the book, from encounters with the Barbary Pirates in what is now called Morocco, to military goings-on in Somerset and Dorset, to trials by Jeffreys, the Chief Justice (or Injustice might be a better name). It's just a little bit confusing! An example of how confusing...

A very short book, and a fairly early one of the author's. The subject matter is the early days of the Reformation, and the time at which the Roman Church was trying to prevent ordinary people from reading the Bible in general, and the Gospels in particular. The Woodcutter with his son and his donkey are working in the forest, one evening, when a man asks them for directions to get out of the forest. They offer him a bed for the night, so he comes to their home, where he produces his wares...

The basic story-line is that there is a fort in the Hudson Bay Territory that needs some stores and materials to be sent to it from another fort about 150 miles away. The journey could be done by canoe, but there are none available at this time. So a party of people are sent overland to fetch what is required. There are encounters with bears and other dangerous animals; there aretimes when they are very hungry and very tired. They encounter both friendly and unfriendly Indians. They borrow...

In "Adventures in Africa," Kingston likely takes readers on a thrilling journey through the diverse landscapes and cultures of the African continent. The narrative may follow a group of characters, possibly including explorers, missionaries, or traders, as they encounter various challenges and adventures in their travels across Africa.As with many of Kingston's works, "Adventures in Africa" likely combines elements of adventure, exploration, and moral lessons. The novel may also offer read...

In "Won from the Waves," Kingston likely tells the story of characters who find themselves in perilous situations at sea, possibly due to shipwrecks or other maritime disasters. The title suggests that the characters may overcome these challenges and emerge victorious, perhaps by displaying courage, resourcefulness, and teamwork.As with many of Kingston's works, "Won from the Waves" likely combines elements of adventure, survival, and moral lessons. The novel may also offer readers insight...

In "Taking Tales," Kingston likely presents a series of thrilling and adventurous stories that captivate the imagination of readers. The tales may involve various settings, such as the high seas, distant lands, or historical events, and feature courageous characters facing challenges, mysteries, and dangers.As with much of Kingston's work, "Taking Tales" likely combines elements of action, exploration, and moral lessons. The stories may also offer readers insights into different cultures, ...

This book is not a series of fictitious adventures of the great Captain Cook, the eighteenth century navigator and explorer, but a straightforward statement of his life and achievements. It is therefore more of a biography than an adventure book for boys. However, the man was so great that his biography can indeed be read as a well-written book of adventures.

This book is not a series of fictitious adventures of the great Captain Cook, the eighteenth century navigator and explorer, but a straightforward statement of his life and achievements. It is therefore more of a biography than an adventure book for boys. However, the man was so great that his biography can indeed be read as a well-written book of adventures. According to Wikipedia: "William Henry Giles Kingston (28 February 1814 - 5 August 1880), writer of tales for boys, was born in Lond...

This story takes place mainly in or near the Rocky Mountains of North America, as we follow the adventures of a member of an emigrant party during their move to California. Rattle-snakes, bears, rock-slides, avalanches, steep descents, and many other hazards, to say nothing of numerous attacks by unfriendly tribes of Red Indians, fill the pages of this book with terrifying and perilous situations. Not a long book, but very good value. According to Wikipedia: "William Henry Giles Kingston (...

Here is another Kingston novel about South America. As usual he makes the point that the Spaniards were very cruel, especially in the way they oppressed the Indian tribes. The family in the story are English, and they get pulled into helping an Inca chieftain, Manco, in his flight from the Spaniards. This seems to mirror several other books by Kingston. There is always a long trek overland, the point of which usually eludes me, but which gives rise to all sorts of difficult situations, wit...

Another book of great adventure, this time in the Pacific, where, at the time, many of the Islanders were, with good reason, ill-disposed towards Europeans, having been tricked so often in various unpleasant ways, even to the point where they would be invited on board to do some bartering, only to be battened below hatches, and then sailed off to Peru to be used as slaves. Our adventurers encounter hostility in places, but on the whole their worst enemies are the weather, and also ill-inte...

This rather long book is definitely an historical novel. The main action takes place in the years around 1780. There are some rather strange aspects to the narration. For example, the hero's name is Hurry, except that on two occasions in Chapter 8 and one in Chapter 9, his name is mysteriously change to Poynder. Also in Chapter 9, the young Miss Carlyon is referred to as having gone to live with her aunt, Mrs Tarleton, on the death of her father. Yet the latter figures strongly in the late...