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The General
Child's fiction/picture book.
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 22, 2017
Illustrated by Foreman when he was an art student at Lowestoft and written by Charters (his first wife), this debut picturebook tells the story of a once-proud general who, having fallen off his horse has a revelatory experience in which the beauty of natural world sees him set about restoring peace and love to the world.
Having enrolled for National Service, Foreman found that his fate, instead, drew him to St Martin's, in London, where he illustrated this story. Having caught the eye of Herbert Read (an art historian and CND activist) it was swiftly published in 1961 and can be seen as a book of its time. Its political philosophy which Foreman would go on to adopt in other works such as Dinosaurs and all that Rubbish and War and Peas is one that I feel still resonates today.
As always, Foreman's watercolours are as beautiful as they are assured. I love each and every page.
Having enrolled for National Service, Foreman found that his fate, instead, drew him to St Martin's, in London, where he illustrated this story. Having caught the eye of Herbert Read (an art historian and CND activist) it was swiftly published in 1961 and can be seen as a book of its time. Its political philosophy which Foreman would go on to adopt in other works such as Dinosaurs and all that Rubbish and War and Peas is one that I feel still resonates today.
As always, Foreman's watercolours are as beautiful as they are assured. I love each and every page.
September 30, 2018
Really lovely story, with wonderful conservation message. Really beautiful illustrations.
There was once a General who aspired to go to battle and become the most famous General in the world. One day when out riding his horse, he falls off and lands in a field of flowers. When walking back to camp, the General is amazed by the natural beauty around him and vows to spend the rest of his life protecting it.
There was once a General who aspired to go to battle and become the most famous General in the world. One day when out riding his horse, he falls off and lands in a field of flowers. When walking back to camp, the General is amazed by the natural beauty around him and vows to spend the rest of his life protecting it.
September 8, 2021
Joyous, brilliant to look at, heartwarming. Not to be missed.
Open Library.
Open Library.
May 7, 2024
thoughtful in the message it wanted to share
November 15, 2022
The General (Hardcover) by Janet Charters, Illustrator- Michael Foreman, Hindi language translation by Vidushak- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of General Jodhpur. He is a strict disciplinarian. He focusses on drill, an maintenance of horses, kitchen, garden, lawn and overall cleanliness of the army area. His army cantonment was in a large area. One day when he was riding a horse, the horse viewed an animal. He was afraid. He raised his legs. General fell on the ground. He fell on the grass. While lying down, he saw green grass, caterpillars, flowers. He was a changed man. He planned to convert the cantonment into a city with schools, parks, agricultural lands, gardens. He disbanded his army and put in all his time He invited two of his friends who were general in army of other nations. They arrived as guests. They were impressed and decided that they will also work for peace, happiness and development of their people. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.
April 20, 2023
The general wanted to be the greatest general in the world. He thought winning the greatest war would let him be one. Well, does it? He changed his mind and became a great general through a different way.🌷
A strong anti-war message came through, easy to predict what's happening next but with beautiful illustrations it conveys the message in a child-friendly way. Both author and illustrator were born during the World War II, therefore the message is so strong for a reason.
Love the beautiful artwork, a significant style of that period of publishing art.
A strong anti-war message came through, easy to predict what's happening next but with beautiful illustrations it conveys the message in a child-friendly way. Both author and illustrator were born during the World War II, therefore the message is so strong for a reason.
Love the beautiful artwork, a significant style of that period of publishing art.
June 30, 2023
Really terrific children's book that I have never encountered before. The illustrations are the main reason that I picked it up at a thrift shop, but it has a great story too. A little reminiscent of The Story of Ferdinand the Bull - the general wants to become a great general but he falls off his horse into a field of flowers, and that is the end of his military ambition. He becomes a nature loving general who also converts generals from the east and the west to his new mindset. If only....
July 28, 2019
When a general falls off his horse, he discovers that nature is beautiful regrets how war destroys it. Taking action, he set about restoring the world to peace and beauty.
Recommended for lower and upper elementary school
Recommended for lower and upper elementary school
March 15, 2024
An interesting tale.
October 28, 2015
General Jodhpur wants to be the most famous General in the world. He wants to be admired by his people, and for everyone to know who he is. One day, when the General fell off his horse, he landed on a soft grassy field. Laying there, he realized that he's been so caught up in wanting to be the most famous general in the world, he didn't have time for the nature around him.
The reason why I read this book is because the cover was eye-catching and I had to pick a picture book. So, hurray for good English marks.
I recommend this to my brother because he still little and this will probably interest him into reading more.
The reason why I read this book is because the cover was eye-catching and I had to pick a picture book. So, hurray for good English marks.
I recommend this to my brother because he still little and this will probably interest him into reading more.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews