The Bravest of the Brave - or, with Peterborough in Spain

by G. A. Henty

Overview

There are few great leaders whose lives and actions have so completely fallen into oblivion as those of the Earl of Peterborough. His career as a general was a brief one, extending only over little more than a year, and yet in that time he showed a genius for warfare which has never been surpassed, and performed feats of daring worthy of taking their place among those of the leaders of chivalry. The fact that they have made so slight a mark upon history is due to several reasons. In the first place, they were overshadowed by the glory and successes of Marlborough; they were performed in a cause which could scarcely be said to be that of England, and in which the public had a comparatively feeble interest; the object, too, for which he fought was frustrated, and the war was an unsuccessful one, although from no fault on his part. But most of all, Lord Peterborough failed to attain that place in the list of British worthies to which his genius and his bravery should have raised him, because that genius was directed by no steady aim or purpose. Lord Peterborough is, indeed, one of the most striking instances in history of genius and talent wasted, and a life thrown away by want of fixed principle and by an inability or unwillingness to work with other men. He quarreled in turn with every party and with almost every individual with whom he came in contact; and while he himself was constantly changing his opinions, he was intolerant of all opinions differing from those which he at the moment held, and was always ready to express in the most open and offensive manner his contempt and dislike for those who differed from him. His eccentricities were great; he was haughty and arrogant, hasty and passionate; he denied his God, quarreled with his king, and rendered himself utterly obnoxious to every party in the state. (excerpt from preface)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783944389677
Publisher:	Otbebookpublishing
Publication date:	12/27/2015
Series:	Classics To Go
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	267
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

George Alfred Henty, commonly known as G. A. Henty, was a prolific English novelist and war correspondent whose adventurous spirit and keen eye for historical detail made him a beloved figure in 19th-century literature. Born on December 8, 1832, in Trumpington, Cambridgeshire, Henty's early life was marked by a robust education at Westminster School and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. His academic pursuits were interrupted by the Crimean War, where he served as a war correspondent, an experience that profoundly influenced his later writing.Henty's literary career began in earnest with his first novel, "Out on the Pampas" (1868), and he went on to write over 120 books, primarily aimed at young readers. His works, often set against the backdrop of significant historical events, such as the Napoleonic Wars, the Indian Rebellion of 1857, and the American Civil War, were meticulously researched and vividly narrated. Henty's protagonists were typically young, courageous boys who embodied Victorian ideals of bravery, honor, and perseverance.Despite his popularity, Henty's works have not been without controversy. Modern critics often point to his imperialist and Eurocentric perspectives, which reflect the prevailing attitudes of his time but can be jarring to contemporary sensibilities. Nonetheless, his influence on the genre of historical adventure fiction is undeniable, paving the way for later authors like Rudyard Kipling and Robert Louis Stevenson.Henty's legacy is a complex tapestry of thrilling narratives and historical insights, offering a window into the values and conflicts of the Victorian era. His ability to weave educational content with gripping storytelling continues to captivate readers, making him a significant figure in the annals of children's literature.
George Alfred Henty (8 December 1832 – 16 November 1902) was a prolific English novelist and war correspondent. He is best known for his historical adventure stories that were popular in the late 19th century. His works include The Dragon & The Raven (1886), For The Temple (1888), Under Drake's Flag (1883) and In Freedom's Cause (1885). (Wikipedia)