"These are the times that try men's souls," writes journalist Thomas Paine at the end of 1776, a dark time in America's struggle for freedom. As th...
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reviews
Feb 10, 2011
Natalie
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The first book follows the Dunson family (fictional) and introduces us to the beginning events of the revolutionary war. This book follows Billy Weems, a friend of the Dunsons that we met in the first book. The Dunson are still slightly involved - mostly Brigitte. We meet Billy's friend, Eli Stroud - I think we'll be seeing more of him as well. There were a lot of descriptions of various weapons and how they were loaded etc. I could have done with a little less with that. And I'll just be hone
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Jul 16, 2010
Nolan
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This is the second book in Carter's series regarding the revolutionary war. It's mostly well written with characters developed such that you care deeply about them. There are realistic suspense scenes here and realistic battle scenes. The author boggs way down in minutia when describing how cannons and other firearms of the day worked. It's almost as though he were somehow shrilly trying to establish his credibility as a writer of historical fiction. Much of those sections were disruptive a
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Feb 02, 2011
Freyja
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I loved this book. I Know that It took me awhile to read this book but it is not because I wasn't enjoying it. The fact is the first part of the book was a bit slow going not because I wasn't enjoying it but because it was dealing with more technical stuff of how the guns/cannons were loaded and other things of that sort.Not being a gun person it took a bit more to get it figured out.
So I loved this book. I love reading about history. This is the second in a historical fiction series set More...
So I loved this book. I love reading about history. This is the second in a historical fiction series set More...
Nov 15, 2011
Karina
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There are two reasons I was a bit disappointed with this book. First, I thought much of the book was very slow, and could have been cut out. Billy isn't my favorite character, and most of this book was about him, so it was hard to keep my interest. As I got closer to the end of the book, and there was more action and info about the battles, it got more interesting, but it took me a long time to get through this mainly because it was so slow and I just couldn't stick to it!
Second, I a More...
Second, I a More...
Nov 05, 2010
Laura
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A novel about the revolutionary war. I enjoyed the first book of the series and thought that I would enjoy this one as well but found it to be dull and lifeless. His writing style becomes increasingly difficult to read and the entire book covers several battles but it feels like one big battle because it is only about the war...needed something else to break up the monotony (unless of course you enjoy reading war books). I did like that it put history into a more meaningful story than textboo
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Jun 14, 2010
Kara
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I have learned so much about the revolutionary war and more than I ever thought I needed to know about war strategy, cannons, rifles, muskets, cartridges, etc. I am so appreciative of the work this author put into these books and even more appreciative of the patriots who made this country. I also love the religous undertone because it really is obvious that this country wouldn't be the USA if God hadn't had a hand in it's creation.
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May 11, 2009
Stefanie
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First of all, Ron Carter is not a great writer. If I hadn't listened to the book on tape while doing other things, I never would have made it to the end. But the story that he tells is truly a miraculous one. He has done his research well, and tells the story of the Revolutionary War with amazing accuracy.
This particular volume of the series is a rather depressing one, since the Americans were beaten in nearly every battle. I imagine that's why it's titled "The Times That T More...
This particular volume of the series is a rather depressing one, since the Americans were beaten in nearly every battle. I imagine that's why it's titled "The Times That T More...
Feb 01, 2010
Jeff
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A little slow at times but there is a lot of history to cover here. Almost a completely separate book from the 1st. Very moving and a great read during this economic downturn. A good pick-me-up actually to see the drive and will that is portrayed of our Country's founding fathers.
The amazing thing is that all of the key accounts in this book are almost verbatim with what actually happened. Why did I never learn this stuff in school!!! I probably wouldn't have listened anyway.
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The amazing thing is that all of the key accounts in this book are almost verbatim with what actually happened. Why did I never learn this stuff in school!!! I probably wouldn't have listened anyway.
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Feb 06, 2009
Krista
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I am really starting to like this series. I am learning about the birth of our country all over again but this time it feels more real, personal. I have an even greater appreciation for all who worked for freedom, from the men who fought, the families whom they left behind, and the women and children who worked in so many different ways. I am most grateful to each of them and I am inspired by their courage, strength, drive, and their faith.
Oct 18, 2010
Lindsay
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This second book in the series was harder to get through. It documents a losing streak for the Continental army and of course all that goes along with losing...starvation, retreats, discouragement. I would have liked a little more of the love stories.
Aug 20, 2010
Allison
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I love American history. So to sit and read it is fascitnating, however, I was looking forward to continuing the story of the Dunson family. Billy Weems is a loveable character and is enjoyable to follow. The author does give a spiel at the beginning saying he will get back to the Dunson family, probably in book four.
Jul 29, 2011
Nathan
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This book is very heavy on the technical details of war, but don't get bogged down in the small details. The last 10 pages make the whole book worth it!
Jan 18, 2012
J
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I started this series but work demanded more of my reading time. This series is on my to read list.
Aug 10, 2010
Michelle
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Makes me realize how much was sacrificed by average Americans for this cause & for the freedoms that we enjoy
Jan 29, 2009
Pam
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I was hooked by the second book. The things these men went through to fulfill the dream of freedom.
Jan 05, 2011
Liesl
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This is a really good series and goes into great detail on the revolutionary war.
Mar 15, 2010
Linda
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2nd time reading this great book, very insightful and well researched a excellant read
Dec 12, 2008
Dan
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A fun series with a great mix of well researhed history of the US Revolutionary War (with footnotes) and fictional personal items to bring the story to life. The fictional characters are well placed to bring the story out.
Apr 11, 2010
Brittany
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This book was a little bit harder to get through. It's slow paced, so that's why I read another book at the same time...so I wouldn't get too board. I LOVED the end, though. It's very inspiring and just makes you appreciate what those brave men did for us. I also really liked how George Washington was a part of this one. He's an amazing man. How did we ever win this war?!!! I'm excited to read the next one.
Apr 21, 2008
Amber
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2nd book in the Prelude to Glory series (historical fiction) based on the events of the Revolutionary War. This book is focused more on a friend of the family in the first book. It was hard to change reading about the main character to someone else. (also I just wanted to find out what happened to Matthew, and you won't find out in this book) I was really drawn into the battles and learned a lot from this book.
Feb 24, 2008
Jenifer
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I loved reading this whole series because it allowed me to learn much more about our countries beginnings than I ever learned in school--but I enjoyed it this time. A fictional family and their friends make the journey through the revolutionary war and on into the establishment of the United States government and the rough economic times that followed the war. Book 9 jumps ahead in time to the war of 1812.
Oct 21, 2008
Sheila
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"These are the times that try men's souls," writes journalisr Thomas Pain at the end of 1776, a dark time in America's struggle for freedom. As the dramatic events depicted in volume 2 show, the high price of liberty for which the colonist fought would include great sacrifice and endurance--even in the face of apprent defeat. Focusing primarily of events between June and December 1776.
Sep 29, 2008
Cassie
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Good book. I was a little confused until I realized that this book kind of back-tracks the 1st book. I thought that the book would just carry on from where the last one left off, however it starts with the life of a different character and his story (as well as weaving in the Dunson family from the 1st book) during the same time period as the first.
Apr 13, 2011
Amber
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I thought this book was clearly not as good as the first one. It might be because the author is not writing the books in order. It was also boring most of the way through the book. It wasn't a book that I was excited to pick up and keep reading. The only reason I would tell someone to read it if they were planing on reading the whole series.
Sep 15, 2011
Marissa
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These are incredible books! They are very well written with immaculate research to back them up. They really bring forth the emotions, decisions and difficulties that were apart of the Revolutionary War. I recommend these if you like historical fiction and want to learn more than what you thought was part of the war.
Aug 26, 2008
Christy
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Loved it! Of course I tend to be drawn to books that tell a good fictional story and add in a little historical reference at the same time. I feel like I am whisked away in the lives of the characters but that I am also getting some lessons on history.
Jan 19, 2010
Debbie
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I'm 1/2 way through this book. This book takes place in 1776 where George Washington is leading the army into battle against the British and some of the things they go through at this time.
I"m learing a lot about the history of our times
I"m learing a lot about the history of our times
