Prelude to Glory, Vol. 1: Our Sacred Honor

Prelude to Glory #1

by Ron Carter

In epic style, the new historical fiction series Prelude to Glory chronicles the miraculous events that gave birth to a new nation. In Our Sacred Honor, the first volume in the series, master storyteller Ron Carter presents the early events of the Revolutionary War through the eyes of common people. We meet the heroes, but we see them through the eyes and hearts of the soldiers and the sailors, men and women, who came out of the shops, fields, and forests and paid the price. No human mind could ever have created a plot so diverse, so intensely gripping, so inspiring as the story of the American Revolution. Through fictional as well as real-life characters, Prelude to Glory powerfully depicts that dramatic story.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Lds, Historical, Lds Fiction, American Revolutionary War, Religion

604 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1998

About the author

Ron Carter (1932-2008) was born in Salt Lake City and reared in Twin Falls, Idaho. He served received a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Brigham Young University. He received a juris doctor degree in 1962 after attending the law schools at George Washington University and the University of Utah. Recently he has been a research and writing director for the Superior Court system of Los Angeles County, California. He published his first work in 1988.

Ron is married to LaRae Dunn Carter of Boise, Idaho, and they are the parents of nine children. The family resides in Park City, Utah.

Reviews

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this period of American history, and it was cool to get this perspective on the beginning of the Revolution.

Cons: The author tends to repeat certain phrases a lot. I also didn't really care for the big jumps in chronology near the end of the book. The overall premise feels similar to that of The Work and the Glory, but the writing isn't as good as Gerald Lund's.

Pros: An interesting story, and the author isn't afraid to hit us where we hurt. I learned a lot about the early stage of the American Revolution, and the author includes notes explaining the actual history and where he got his information.

Not my favorite book in the series, but the series gets better in later books.

[Pokeyann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish it, historically it's interesting, but the story was taking waaaaaay too long to progress.

[Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It follows the soldiers and sailors of the revolutionary war not only in battle but also during their daily existence. The author did an amazing job of making the characters likable. I actually felt sad when bad things happened to the characters. Ron Carter also did a good job with the plot. Books and movies often have a better plot when they are based on something from history, and this book is no exception. Although this book is good in a lot of ways, there are some parts of it that subtracted from my experience of reading it. The first is the transitions. Some of this book's transitions are really bad. One example of this is on page 232 where the main character asks where he can find someone and it then immediately jumps to the British. Stuff like this made it hard to understand at times, but only had a small impact on the overall book. The other part of this book I didn't like was the lack of diversity in descriptive words used. Like the transitions, it doesn't make the book that much worse, but when you read the word "silent" 5 times in the same chapter you might notice. These flaws are not enough to ruin the book, so it is definitely worth reading. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action and romance.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to this on audio. I love History and I superdeedupper love America, and more than anything I love God and His Plan of Salvation for all of His children. This series begins in 1775 and takes the reader through the establishment of America and the restoration of the Gospel, so I really really like this story and series (even though I've just begun it). The book is easy to read and listen to (I have it on ebook as well). It feels more like you're watching a movie than reading a book, as the author describes details and engages the reader through great emotion. The series is historical fictions and I really appreciate that at the end of each chapter the author describes what is historically accurate and what is "artistic license", filling in information himself due to the facts not being present. But the charaters and plots that are "artistic license" to fill in where history left us without actual facts, are all believable and seem/feel to be true to the era and customs of the time. The author seems to have really done his homework and understand that era and its people. It is not a slow reading, but it is also not a quick read. It will take time, and I find myself going back and re-reading/re-listening to parts to make sure I got it right.

I love Geography and I am always looking things up on maps. It just makes things more "real" somehow for me. During this entire book I found myself going to maps of the Boston, Lexington, Concord areas, and learned something new that I had never known before: Boston city was founded on a small peninsula! It was practically surrounded by water all the way around. The book kept talking about a "back Bay" and I couldn't figure it out. I finally learned that most of what surround Boston proper today, was actually filled in with earth after the American Revolution. There is not 'back Bay' any more! Interesting! Also, Boston international airport also was once all water.

I would not hesitate to recommend this book. I feel that it is written well, it engages the reader, and it provides plenty of American History surrounding the Revolutionary War - and I am glad to say that it is, from what I can tell, not "revised" (aka" re-written or false) History. The book does mention some of the famous names, such as George Washington, Benedict Arnold, John Adams, etc. But these characters, for the most part, are only talked about, rather than being main characters in the book. John Paul Jones and Benedict Arnold being an the exception, as the author does involve them in the story line.

I have begun Vol. 2. Enjoying it as well!

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great and interesting way to gain insight into the revolutionary war and it's major occurrences. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that the author expected the reader to know everything about sailing vessels. I found myself struggling to visualize specifics when I didn't have a full understanding of what the author was referring too. I think a simple paragraph or two of explanation as one of the characters "explains the fundamentals of sailing" to a novice would have been helpful. It would be useful for anyone that is 'landlocked' to do a quick Google search on '18th century sailing vessels and how they work, for dummies.'

I was amazed at the 'spirit' of the book and the reverence it evoked upon the most crucial time in all of American history.

Great read with all the right elements. I am excited to continue the series... after I do some sailing research!

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the religous undertone to this book, but one of the things that brought this book to the top of the good historical fiction pack was that at the end of every chapter the author reviewed what was fiction and what actually took place. If changes were made he even explained why he did it. A little too much battle for me, but I appreciate the enormous amount of work that must have gone into this and I'm so excited to start the next one in the series!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed these books becuse I love history. But I wish there was more of the characters in the story. The details are awesome I really found out so much about this time period. But the loss of characters in all the history was so sad to me. A whole book would go by with very little character growth or movement. Otherwise I would have like this series more.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked reading about the American Revolution and being reminded of the amazing miracles of the events leading to our country's independence. I usually enjoy historical fiction and this book did help me think about what it would have been like to live in Boston at the time of Paul Revere and his midnight ride and put into context the sacrifices families and individuals made during a very uncertain time. These were incredible people with great courage and faith. I'm grateful for what they did and their examples for us today.

Although there were notes at the end of most of the chapters pointing out fact and fiction, I felt like there was too much fiction for me and some of the transitions and jumps in time were hard to follow. I think my next book on the Revolution will be non-fiction so I can get the real story better in the mind. I was glad that I read this book though. It did make me think about a very important time and wonderful selfless people who understood the importance of freedom and something bigger than themselves.

Here are a few of my favorite parts (most having to do with people in the book describing the miracles they saw through their sacrifice and hardships). These are fictitious characters, but I hope many of these sentiments were actually felt at the time.

"'I fear the cost we will pay--all of us--when we finally rise against them in the streets and in the fields. I see blood and tears in this land, and great sorrow lying like a dark cloud, and then a new land being born.' It was as thought his unexpected words struck into the very core of each of them. The strange, new spirit settled into the tiny, austere room, and it overwhelmed them, subdued them....It was coming, imminent, at the very door. There would be war. Blood would flow. Many would die. Their fair land would suffer much destruction. From the blood and pain and devastation would rise a new, shining land to take its place as a guiding star for the weary people of a tired and battered world. They knew it more than any other truth in their lives, from some unknown source they dared not challenge, nor could they explain....We have work to do (p. 139)."

"So far this thing with England has been mostly talk, but today it could have become more than that, and I realized something. Some of us could be killed. Is it worth it (p. 142)?"

"I don't know where it will end, but I don't need to know. It is enough that I know we must do this thing, by treaty if we can, by blood if we cannot. I don't want to die. But if I must, I will, and I know in my soul that if that happens, you will be all right, you and the children. Don't ask me how I know. Only that I do know (p. 190)."

"Women bear sons and sons leave them to go to war--what causes war? They start in someone's heart--change human hearts--that's the answer. Too hard to change hearts--we push it away--too hard--easier to kill each other than change our hearts--Christ tried to teach us--crucified him--easier to crucify him than change--how many times have we crucified him since? ten thousand? ten million (p. 230)?"

"John looked more deeply into his son than ever in his life and spoke with measured words. 'Yes. We're where we belong, doing what must be done. This is in the hands of the Almighty.' 'The killing--those dead men--are part of God's work?' In his mind he was seeing men who had fallen, arms and legs thrown at odd angles, mouths loose and open, eyes wide, flat, dead. Men who had had wives and children, who only moments earlier had been alive, with hopes and dreams, joys and sorrows. He saw no glory, nothing noble. 'Yes. So was the death of his Son (p. 283).'"

"'I did not find those shoals alone, sir.' None of them knew or cared how long they sat thus, awed, humbled by their frank confessions and the profound implications of what had been said. 'I don't think I'm religious. I've never talked about such things much--it's just that since the colonies broke with the British, things have happened that don't make sense....something's stirring. I can't explain it (p. 440).'"

And this is definitely fact and such a wonderful document:

"In Congress, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen States of America.
"When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
"That whenever any form of Government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
"We therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.
"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor (p. 541)."

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing! Really brings our American heritage and the people who lived there to life. They feel real, with real emotions, problems, lives, and beliefs. I greatly appreciate the author making the entirety of this book (events, historical figures, places, and times) absolutely true. The only fictional portion was the Tom, Billy, and the Dunson Family's place in it. It was heart-rending and emotional because of how real it felt. Carter has researched this time in history well. His battle scenes are incredible with details and terminology.

At the beginning, the writing tends to be a bit repetitious, but that eventually changes.

I believe with all my heart that most the men during this war gave their lives and all they had for a great cause and that they knew it, and God knew. This was God's work. The Almighty was with them every step of the way, for it was His plan. And I firmly believe those faithful men and women are safe and happy with their families in heaven.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a reading assignment in class I chose to read the Prelude to Glory. I rated this book 4/5 stars because of the authors unique approach to this history. Instead of the usual approach of a haughty solder he went with the more complex and difficult approach of a love story. This is respectable because it is difficult to do a love story and still do it right in my opening and this did it justice for me. Also, the research the author did was intense. Not only did he study the history of the events in the revolutionary war but he also studied and portrayed the life stiles and reasoning of the people in the story with such grace it was almost as if the author had lived with them for a part of his life. Finally the social graph on which the author built his story was convincing. The only complaint I had was that it was a love story.

[Brad Kline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did not disappoint. I started it with high hopes. It delivered. I was seeking good storytelling wrapped around accurate history. The historic details woven into this storyline is exactly what I was looking for. I read the hardcopy. I then immediately went out and acquired every book in the series, all in the hardcopy.
The entire collection is one of my prized possessions.
Now I’m going back and acquiring all of the books in the Kindle format. I am doing this to enable me to make copious highlights. The kindle format will then export those highlights in a format that can be easily reviewed.
When you have a source like this that is so rich in details it makes for the perfect learning companion.
Again, this whole collection is one of my prized possessions.

[Leslie Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is set in a time when the British are fighting the colonists. So that it is not just fighting only, there are fictional characters mixed with actual people and events of the time to keep me interested. When Kathleen’s father Mr. Thorpe who is a colonist leaks information to the British, he is banished to a different land. His daughter was supposed to marry Matthew, but when she finds out her father is a traitor, she says she can no longer marry Matthew. Matthew’s sister Brigitte falls in love with a British officer. Both cases seem hopeless. You must read to find out what happens. The books are 600 or so pages and there are 9 volumes.

[Dan Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, very engaging, and quite enjoyable. I love historical fiction and love to see how authors are able to wrap a story around well known and sometimes not so well known historical events. The only thing that constantly bothered me throughout this book was the characters referring to the British soldiers as British like there was a national difference between them and the citizens. In all my professional development as a social studies teacher I have heard that until the war started the citizens considered themselves as British citizens and therefore wouldn’t have made that kind of a distinction during the period if time covered in the early parts of this story.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I generally love historical fiction, especially when it centers around precolonial life & the happenings of the Revolutionary War. This book accurately highlighted some of the major battles of the Revolutionary War & through the fictional characters, portrays very tender emotions & relationships that most probably existed during that time of war. George Washington & Benedict Arnold make appearances, as well as Commodore John Paul Jones & I love reading about historical figures. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of Prelude to Glory series. It took place in the 1770s. It is historically accurate in the things that happened during the Revolutionary War, on land and on sea. It is so, so interesting to read about real people, not fictional, and the trials they faced. It talked about the common folk too through a fictional family or two to carry the story. I didn't realize that the birth of the United States on July 4, 1776 happened when the war was still raging for several more years.

[Joanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was wonderfully surprised by this book. It looked so long and boring. But once I got into it it was fast reading. It was interesting and the characters were believable and likable. My one concern was with the character Bridget and her drippy romance with the British soldier. Other than that I really enjoyed it. I appreciated that the author wrote at the end of each chapter what was fictional and what was historically accurate. Great way to learn about the Revolutionary War.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I typically don't like books with fictional characters embedded in history, but I'll have to make an exception for this series. Of course I know how the Revolutionary Ward ended, but I did not know that the stories about all of the ins and outs and battles, and even daily life in that time period could be so engrossing. I have thoroughly enjoyed the research that has gone into creating these stories that make me feel like a fly on the wall while watching the revolution unfold.

[Kandace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ron Carter does a wonderful job with writing this historical fiction story. The way he was able to incorporate fictional characters into real events made the story easy to feel a part of. I especially loved that he explained at the end of chapters what he added or changed and why. So far, I have been able to learn about this time in history better than ever did in history classes. The progression of the story did feel long at first, but understandably a foundation for the story had to be laid.

[Lori Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the history. I like the stories told around the history even if with fictional characters. I felt there were gaps in the story, but I understand now that many of those gaps will be filled with future volumes which are told during the same time period just in different locations and focusing on different characters.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and details of the fictional families. I didn’t like that the children in the story are such minor characters that they never change. Charles is about 17 by the end of the book, yet is still referred to as a child who needs the protection of his sister. Sometimes the story seemed to drag but over all it was good.

[Tamra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like The Work and the Glory, the author weaves a fictional family within the setting of the Revolutionary war to splendidly depict the heroic efforts of determined patriots to fight for their independence and freedom. The story brings to life the brave men and women who laid the fountain of our great country.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My eighth-grade teacher read this book aloud to my class, and it really brought the Revolutionary War alive for me. Carter combines well-researched historical events with compelling characters that you grow to care for. I would like to read the whole series eventually!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5. I appreciate the historical content. But the characters are predictable and the relationships are stereotypically sappy. And it seems odd the Kill off so many main characters in the first book. Also the author forces the characters into unlikely roles just to reveal certain historical events.

[Rex Cluff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well told story of a fictional family thrust into the violent events of the Revolutionary War. Mr. Carter brings his characters to life and helps us to see the marvelous unfolding of the American victory over the British. I was captivated and will continue to finish the series.

[Robert Guernsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful ride through history

A first hand experience of the American War for independence. Experience the day to day lives of a family in Boston during the prelude to the war. The author delivers a well researched novel and through footnotes distinguishes fact from fiction.

[Kay Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book which perfectly explains more about the Revolutionary War. I love knowing about the cause of this War, and the way God’s loving mercy is explained in it. Highly recommend for people who want to know, or be reminded if our great American history.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story of the creation of our wonderful United States - the many people involved in the Lord's work in getting the US set up - it is a great historical fiction book full of true stories, experiences and tragedy of those that found for our freedom. I have learned so much.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the idea of this book, but it missed the mark for me. I couldn’t connect to any of the fictional characters. It was simply boring. And, how many ands can fit in a sentence. It really needed a good edit. My mom tells me the series gets better but I just can’t…

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

i liked it

[Jim Hanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

good style on novels on the revolutionary war