On HAYFOOT, STRAWFOOT: THE BUCKTAIL RECRUITS
From our first introduction to a young Indian boy's survival, we are drawn to the courage evinced by Bucky and his abiding friendship with his opposite, the minister's son. This book is well-researched creative nonfiction that will delight the reader in its understanding of true friendship and what it was like to live and grow up quickly in Civil War times.
On THE BUCKTAILS' SHENANDOAH MARCH
Entertaining fiction...historical accuracy...the kind of work that will lead our younger generation to appreciate the sacrifices of the Civil War and create a desire to continue to preserve our history as they grow and mature. Bravo!
On THE BATTLING BUCKTAILS AT FREDERICKSBURG
The thing I really like about the Bucktail novel series is that the authors give a real sense of the day-to-day life of the Civil War without lecturing. It'll be an eye-opener for many kids to realize that it wasn't all fighting but lots of sitting around, eating lousy food, and pointless marches.
On THE BATTLING BUCKTAILS AT FREDERICKSBURG
As an educator, I see the Bucktail novel series as an excellent teaching tool for middle school social studies. Not only is it readable (very important) and accurate, it also gives the student plenty of everyday details on how the people who fought the war lived...a highly useable and recommended resource.
On THE BUCKTAILS: PERILS ON THE PENINSULA
I highly recommend this book for all middle schoolers, even those reluctant readers.
On PERILS ON THE PENINSULA
PERILS is outstanding historical fiction that's both informative and entertaining.
The authors' passion and technical expertise shows throughout the Bucktail series. William P. Robertson is himself a Civil War buff and re-enactor, and his enthusiasm shows through his writing and photographs. Robertson does most of his own photography and there are several great photos of fellow re-enactors, which bring the books and time period to life.
On THE BUCKTAILS AT THE DEVIL'S DEN
The opening of the book is fantastic--I was intrigued by the story from the beginning. I thought the accents and historical details were very effective in evoking the world of the Civil War, while, at the same time, they did not hold back the plot. It's an adventurous and inspirational story, and also an interesting personal spin on the Civil War. I thought the pictures were used to good effect throughout the text. This could be one of those few and far between books that young boys could read for pleasure.
On AMBUSH IN THE ALLEGHENIES
I find the book to be well researched and a must read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction and action-oriented prose.
On THE BUCKTAILS: PERILS ON THE PENINSULA
Although this novel is a sidebar to the Bucktail series, it remains true in tone and quality. If anything, it is more focused than The Bucktails' Shenandoah March which takes place at the same time. If you like historical accuracy and realistic character development both are here. Once again the battle scenes are intense without being needlessly graphic. A great 3rd novel!
On THE BUCKTAILS' LAST CALL
Once again William Robertson and David Rimer have added another action-packed adventure to their amazing series. Rich in history, action, adventure, and personality they have introduced another generation to the era of the Civil War. The book is complete with a bibliography, photos of Civil War reenactors and maps of the Bucktails' routes with dates. Also, they have included information on real life Bucktails, with personal letters, photos, enlistment information, and more. Robertson and Rimer have outdone themselves with their last novel in the series. The Bucktails' Last Call is an adventurous gem of a novel that all should read.
Thank you for the Bucktail novels. It is refreshing to find authors who do not hold the following equation true: young=dumb. With these books you weave stories that entertain my middle age self but I can, and have, recommended them to friends to share with their sons.
On THE BUCKTAILS' LAST CALL
Wow. The Bucktails' Last Call is a near flawless conclusion to the wonderful seven book series. Here Bucky Culp, Jimmy Jewett et al continue to be developed at the same time they battle illness, faith issues, growing up, nature, and in very well described action the Confederacy. These are not carbon copies of the same characters first seen in Hayfoot, Strawfoot but more mature slightly darker men those boys became. This development is not limited to the main characters but to all around them. Emotionally, this is the most intense in the series. Sadness, fear, joy will come to you while reading. Also of note are the multi-page historical asides which provide a meter for historical accuracy. Reading this series is worth it if for nothing else but to reach this wonderful book.
On ATTACK IN THE ALLEGHENIES
Attack in the Alleghenies by William P. Robertson is well-crafted historical fiction set in mid-eighteenth century Pennsylvania. Author Robertson's careful attention to detail would make this book a useful addition to middle school social studies supplemental reading lists, especially in, but not limited to, Pennsylvania schools. The book is easy reading for a young person, and many middle-school-aged boys would find the savage scenes of torture and scalp taking to be fascinating, which might motivate them to take more of an interest in local history. The book should also prove of interest to adult readers with a bent toward this particular setting and historical period.
The novel follows the adventures of Lightnin' Jack Hawkins and his trapper friends, dour Alexander MacDonald, ancient Bearbite Bob Winslow and young Will Cutler and their Indian wives, Little Mink, Gathering Flowers, Bear Woman, and Bright Star, from Hawkins' capture by "rum selling vermin" to his adoption into the Delaware tribe at Kit-Han-Ne to the defeat of the tribe and the death of the charismatic chief, Captain Jacobs, at the Battle of Kittanning (Kit-Han-Ne).
Attack in the Alleghenies is a well-put-together book, illustrated with photographs from French and Indian War reenactments and includes an introduction that clearly delineates the historic events covered by the novel, a bibliography, glossary and a list of characters both fictional and historic.
About ATTACK IN THE ALLEGHENIES
Attack in the Alleghenies by William P. Robertson and David Rimer is a well written re-enactment of a specific battle in the mid 1700s, during the French/Indian War. Filled with sometimes gory, but accurate accounts of the brutality of this period in American history, the authors' novel gives the reader a clear image of the harshness of early pioneer life.
Attack in the Alleghenies tells the story of three men in particular who, for their own reasons, decide to aid nearby settlers and soldiers in a vicious battle for their very survival against the group of Indians in alliance with French soldiers. The book also touches on the issues of compassion and humanity, told through the experiences and eyes of these three heroes.
The photos dispersed throughout the book, which show modern day re-enactments of attacks in the Alleghenies are great and help provide visual images of the terrifying painted faces of the Indians, the soldiers, and the forest environment.
The ONE thing that threw me off what the book would be about was the cover. To me, though the cover image is great art--it seems too modern, too 'metal', to connect with the story's mid 1700s period of American history.
I rather enjoyed reading Robertson's Attack in the Alleghenies and would love to read more of his books concerning American history.
On THE BUCKTAIL SERIES
My grandson loves your Civil War series and now the Ambush & Attack in the Alleghenies books. You can't write them fast enough to keep up with his eagerness to read them. Thanks for keeping a pre-teen reading!
On THE BUCKTAIL BROTHERS OF THE FIGHTING 149TH
I loved the goriness, humor, and information in your latest book. I especially enjoyed passages like page 183, "It's like we stood up ta a bully, an' he went an' fetched his bigger brother." There was one line "I was shaking like a dog crappin' peach stones" that was so funny! I read the book until it was done. That's how good it was. Kudos to you!
On THE BUCKTAIL BROTHERS OF THE FIGHTING 149TH
This Robertson/Rimer work is among the best they have produced, and I've been privileged to have read them all. More than a fictional account of the Civil War, more than a diary of battles, The Bucktail Brothers of the Fighting 149th takes you into the camps, through the arduous training, and onto the front lines of brutal battles. You will retch at the filth they endure, feel the pain of their fatigue, and cringe from the horrific battle scenes. Historically accurate tidbits, like how Civil War soldiers dressed in raggedy clothes and how they could tell friend from foe during the heat of battle, are scattered throughout the book. As with earlier Robertson/Rimer adventure tales, The Bucktail Brothers of the Fighting 149th is well worth your time and will leave you hungry for more.
On THE BUCKTAIL BROTHERS OF THE FIGHTING 149TH
This is not a paint by numbers action tale with little or no background. This is a slice of 19th Century life focused on brothers Henry and Willie Cole. This approach acts to intensify the tension and violence of war when it is presented in well written passages. Henry and Willie mature from the night their family's barn burns to the fields of Gettysburg. Because of the high level of historically accurate detail, expect realizing that you had never known/considered a certain fact or viewpoint before. A good read.
On THE BUCKTAIL BROTHERS OF THE FIGHTING 149TH
The Bucktail Brothers of the Fighting 149th tells the story of an actual American Civil War regiment through the experiences of two fictional characters, the brothers Henry and Willie Cole. It combines historical accuracy, real veterans, and period jargon into a highly readable and riveting tale of the unit's contribution during the war. It is an excellent and highly recommended addition to the authors' previous books on the Pennsylvania Bucktails.