By Pike and Dyke

by G.A. Henty

The Dutch fight for freedom from Spain is seen through the eyes of a young hero.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, Young Adult, Historical, Childrens, Literature

298 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1889

About the author

George Alfred Henty, better known as G.A. Henty, began his storytelling career with his own children. After dinner, he would spend and hour or two in telling them a story that would continue the next day. Some stories took weeks! A friend was present one day and watched the spell-bound reaction of his children suggesting Henty write down his stories so others could enjoy them. He did. Henty wrote approximately 144 books in addition to stories for magazines and was known as "The Prince of Story-Tellers" and "The Boy's Own Historian." One of Mr. Henty's secretaries reported that he would quickly pace back and forth in his study dictating stories as fast as the secretary could record them.

Henty's stories revolve around fictional boy heroes during fascinating periods of history. His heroes are diligent, intelligent, and dedicated to their country and cause in the face, at times, of great peril... Henty's heroes fight wars, sail the seas, discover land, conquer evil empires, prospect for gold, and a host of other exciting adventures. Along the way, they meet famous personages... In short, Henty's heroes live through tumultuous historic eras meeting leaders of that time. Understanding the culture of the time period becomes second nature as well as comparing/contrasting the society of various cultures.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the most boring Henty books I’ve read. Mostly names, dates, and battles without much plot at all for the stock hero.

[ferretpatrol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great account by Henty of the Netherlands struggle for independence from Spain. The story ends at the fall of Antwerp after the assassination of William the Silent. It follows Henty's usual plotline very well. Henty is predictable but enjoyable.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always with Henty, a fairly generic boy character going through an interesting period of history.

[Lynn Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far (in Henty chronological order) this is my favorite. Loved learning the history of the 80 Years War and Holland and Prince of Orange. Enough action to keep me reading meanwhile.

[Glen Leavens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am working on my history of Holland. My kids read this book and it is an easy place to start by picking a book up that we already own. In this book, Henty discusses the long war of occupied and now the mostly protestant (Dutch) Netherlands wanting to become a nation and their struggle for independence from Spain. I did not recall that the Spanish Inquisition was wanting to travel to their empire or that they had, at one time, been working on subduing Europe and in this case the Dutch back into Catholicism. Many times in this tale does Henty describe the Spanish attitude of working with savages like non-Catholics or heathens and then because they are not Catholic, disregarding the bargain. Besides our boy hero Ned Martin, it is an interesting portrayal of William the Silent, Prince of Orange.

[Bill Suits · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was excellent and really entertaining. It really talked a lot about sieges and horror of war. I recommend it as I did not know much about this period.

[Ronald Rickcord · Rating 3 out of 5]

An exciting tale of the Dutch wars

The story could be very much improved by the inclusion of maps of the main areas relating to the conflict.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

pleasant read with lots of history new to me

[Patricrk patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

good adventure story about a boy set during the Dutch war of independence. Very readable.

[Spenser White · Rating 3 out of 5]

More good Henty. Good historical novel, but more "historical" than "novel."

[P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Henty.

[Bill Cosgrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

GA Henty stories are just awesome

[Katja Labonté · Rating 5 out of 5]

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