Wrecked but not Ruined

by R. M. Ballantyne

Overview

Set in the outback of Canada this book unfolds in the area with which Ballantyne was so familiar. If you like to read about this area you will find lots in this book to amuse you. (Excerpt from Chapter I): "On the northern shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence there stood, not very long ago, a group of wooden houses, which were simple in construction and lowly in aspect. The region around them was a vast uncultivated, uninhabited solitude. The road that led to them was a rude one. It wound round a rugged cliff, under the shelter of which the houses nestled as if for protection from the cold winds and the snowdrifts that took special delight in revelling there. This group of buildings was, at the time we write of, an outpost of the fur-traders, those hardy pioneers of civilisation, to whom, chiefly, we are indebted for opening up the way into the northern wilderness of America. The outpost was named the Cliff after the bold precipice, near the base of which it stood. A slender stockade surrounded it, a flag-staff rose in the centre of it, and a rusty old ship's carronade reared defiantly at its front gate. In virtue of these warlike appendages the place was sometimes styled "the Fort"." (Goodreads)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783965372542
Publisher:	Otbebookpublishing
Publication date:	05/09/2019
Series:	Classics To Go
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	85
File size:	678 KB

About the Author

R. M. Ballantyne, born Robert Michael Ballantyne on April 24, 1825, in Edinburgh, Scotland, was a prolific 19th-century author whose adventure novels captivated young readers and left an indelible mark on the genre. The son of a printer, Ballantyne was thrust into the world of literature from an early age. His adventurous spirit was kindled by his own experiences working for the Hudson's Bay Company in Canada, where he spent five formative years amidst the rugged wilderness.Ballantyne's firsthand encounters with the untamed landscapes and diverse cultures of North America infused his writing with authenticity and excitement. His vivid descriptions and dynamic storytelling set a new standard for adventure literature, inspiring future giants like Robert Louis Stevenson and Arthur Ransome. His works often featured young protagonists who embodied courage, resourcefulness, and moral integrity, themes that resonated deeply with Victorian values and continue to appeal to modern sensibilities.Controversy occasionally shadowed Ballantyne's career, particularly regarding his portrayal of indigenous peoples and colonial settings. While his depictions reflected the prevailing attitudes of his time, they have since sparked critical discussions on representation and cultural sensitivity.Beyond his literary contributions, Ballantyne was a pioneer in advocating for realistic and educational children's literature. He believed that young readers deserved stories that were both entertaining and instructive, a revolutionary idea that helped shape the future of juvenile fiction.R. M. Ballantyne passed away on February 8, 1894, but his legacy endures, his tales of adventure continuing to ignite the imaginations of readers around the world.
Robert Michael Ballantyne (24 April 1825 – 8 February 1894) was a Scottish author of juvenile fiction who wrote more than 100 books. He was also an accomplished artist, and exhibited some of his water-colours at the Royal Scottish Academy. (Wikipedia)