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The Rover Boys #3
The Rover Boys in the Jungle; or, Stirring Adventures in Africa
This is a reproduction of the original artefact. Generally these books are created from careful scans of the original. This allows us to preserve the book accurately and present it in the way the author intended. Since the original versions are generally quite old, there may occasionally be certain imperfections within these reproductions. We're happy to make these classics available again for future generations to enjoy!
146 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1899
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 29, 2021
The Rover Boys were the first popular and successful series of adventure books for young readers. They were written by Edward Stratemeyer under the pseudonym of Arthur M. Winfield, and led to his creation of The Stratemeyer Syndicate to produce series of novels for the juvenile market, and the influence of some, like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, is still extant. I was a big fan of many of the series that were contemporary with my youth (Tom Swift, Jr., Rick Brant, Ken Holt, etc.), as well as a library's worth that were left over from my father's young days (Don Sturdy, the original Tom Swift, several aviation series, etc.), and I decided to give the Rovers a try. My father didn't have any of them; perhaps he didn't like them, or maybe he just never happened to get any. I found the first three volumes at a used book store, and wasn't at all impressed. All three books were published in 1899, and were full of sermons and moralizing that lectured the reader rather than having the demonstration of good moral character to which I was accustomed. The three Rovers seemed to me to be spoiled and privileged and got away with all manner of cruel practical jokes because of their position and connections. The characters weren't realistic, and the dialog not at all convincing. The books are rife with racial and ethnic slurs and caricatures, too. Perhaps Stratemeyer hadn't caught his groove yet, or they were just so old that I was unable to relate to them, but for whatever reason I never went back after the first three. I can appreciate their position in literary history, but didn't enjoy reading them.
September 14, 2017
The three Rover brothers, Dick, Tom and Sam leave their boarding school and go to Africa with their uncle in search of their long lost father.
This was definitely a product of its times. It was probably much enjoyed by the boys of the late 1800's but the more I read the less I liked it. The main characters were flat, though likeable in the early chapters, but I lost respect for them after their arrival in Africa.
The plot was predictable, racial superiority and stereotypes abounded, and the writing was uninspired and uninspiring. I won't be reading any more in this series.
This was definitely a product of its times. It was probably much enjoyed by the boys of the late 1800's but the more I read the less I liked it. The main characters were flat, though likeable in the early chapters, but I lost respect for them after their arrival in Africa.
The plot was predictable, racial superiority and stereotypes abounded, and the writing was uninspired and uninspiring. I won't be reading any more in this series.
August 14, 2011
It is what it is. Like all of these Edward Stratemeyer juvenile adventure books, it is an artifact of its times and contains the use of terms which are now considered racially offensive...and back then, were apparently considered appropriate for boys' adventure. The racial and ethnic stereotypes (African, African-American and German-American) are somewhat shocking to a reader of today. But those stereotypes and offensive terms are actually the most interesting part of these books to me, because of the central role they play. I find it fascinating, for instance, that when an African-American character is accused of theft (and is referred to by the N-word coming from the mouth of an antagonist character) a main character stands up for him to the point of getting up in a fistfight.
It may be hideously uncomfortable for modern audiences to read, and it may be simultaneously racially insensitive and condescending -- for instance, the text approximations of the "dialect" the African American characters peaks are UNREAL, and it's clear that the white character sticking up for the black character is what's important as a character point, which is contrived and speaks of subtextual racism even beyond the content.
But this kind of occurrence also represents the values of the Stratemeyer syndicate -- the sense that "good eggs" come from all races and ethnic backgrounds, however disingenous that message may have been alongside revoltingly ludicrous ethnic caricatures (including one of a German-American, no less -- seriously anachronistic in today's world but endemic to Victorian-age pop culture) that are used as comic relief.
Incidents like that are extremely illuminating when considered in context of the times and American history. They show a flavor of pop culture historical subtext that has been cut out of the history books because it's weird and uncomfortable for today's readers. And boy, is it weird and uncomfortable! But also cool, in a warped sort of way.
Also, the books are bloody formulaic...the "adventures" take forever to get started, are routinely uninspired, and are rarely thrilling. Nonetheless, they're easy to read.
For hipsters like me with a jaundiced view of human history, they provide copious LOLZ. I read them, like, ironically.
It may be hideously uncomfortable for modern audiences to read, and it may be simultaneously racially insensitive and condescending -- for instance, the text approximations of the "dialect" the African American characters peaks are UNREAL, and it's clear that the white character sticking up for the black character is what's important as a character point, which is contrived and speaks of subtextual racism even beyond the content.
But this kind of occurrence also represents the values of the Stratemeyer syndicate -- the sense that "good eggs" come from all races and ethnic backgrounds, however disingenous that message may have been alongside revoltingly ludicrous ethnic caricatures (including one of a German-American, no less -- seriously anachronistic in today's world but endemic to Victorian-age pop culture) that are used as comic relief.
Incidents like that are extremely illuminating when considered in context of the times and American history. They show a flavor of pop culture historical subtext that has been cut out of the history books because it's weird and uncomfortable for today's readers. And boy, is it weird and uncomfortable! But also cool, in a warped sort of way.
Also, the books are bloody formulaic...the "adventures" take forever to get started, are routinely uninspired, and are rarely thrilling. Nonetheless, they're easy to read.
For hipsters like me with a jaundiced view of human history, they provide copious LOLZ. I read them, like, ironically.
April 27, 2021
Super enjoyable continuing adventure of the Rover Boys going to Central Africa to rescue their father from being held prisoner.
August 24, 2016
The best one yet!!!
The Rover boys had quite the adventure in this book. If you Iike adventure, this is a story for you. Enemies, dangers,adventure. And a search in one of the most dangerous places on earth!!!!! Get ready, you will not want to put this book down for anything.
The Rover boys had quite the adventure in this book. If you Iike adventure, this is a story for you. Enemies, dangers,adventure. And a search in one of the most dangerous places on earth!!!!! Get ready, you will not want to put this book down for anything.
March 19, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews