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Kings Mountain
Not interested in getting involved with the American Revolutionary War, a South Carolina boy enjoys the peace of his mountain and the joy of making sketches, but when the war nears his home, he knows that he must jump into action in order to protect his family from pending danger.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
160 pages, Library Binding
First published May 1, 2002
4 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
G. Clifton Wisler
81 books15 followersHe was a North Texas schoolteacher who became a prolific author best known for his historical novels, most of them written for young adults.
He had written 73 books and 22 short stories and had contributed numerous articles to Boys' Life magazine for at least 20 years.
Born in Oklahoma City, Mr. Wisler grew up in Dallas, where he graduated with honors from Hillcrest High School in 1968.
He received his bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University in 1972 and began teaching at Denton High School, where his duties included the school newspaper and yearbook.
He returned to SMU, where he earned his master's degree in English and education in 1974. He later attended the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of North Texas, where he was writing his dissertation on a Civil War history of the 9th Texas Infantry Regiment for a doctorate in history.
Mr. Wisler had many 9th Texas Infantry artifacts on loan from people helping him in his research, his sister said.
Mr. Wisler taught at Ben Jackson Middle School in Garland. In 1979, he published his first novel, My Brother, the Wind, which was nominated for the 1980 American Book award.
In 1984, Mr. Wisler left teaching to devote himself to writing. Two years later, he briefly returned to teaching at Bowman Middle School in Plano.
Mr. Wisler's honors include the International Reading Association's 2001 Paul A. Witty Short Story Award for his work, "The Orange Armband," and an Association of Educational Publishers 2000 Distinguished Achievement Award for Bloody Pond.
He twice won the Western Writers of America Spur Award and was a finalist for the honor eight times.
Gary grew up in Scouting, in Troop 709 sponsored by Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church. After graduating from Hillcrest High School in 1968, he went on to SMU. While a college student in the 1970s, he served as Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 709. He also later served as Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 143, and as Scoutmaster of Troop 30 and Troop 106.
He kept his Vigil in 1982 and was given the Vigil name "Mane of the Buffalo Herder." Gary was recognized with the District Award of Merit for service to youth in and out of the Scouting program. Gary completed Wood Badge and served on staff at Camp Constantin. He received the National Silver Beaver Award.
Gary received the Phil Paul Award in 1986 and the Founders Award in 1990.
Gary was a contributing writer to Boys' Life magazine and other Scouting publications. Among his writings was the short story, The Orange Armband, published in the December 2000 issue of Boys' Life. It tells the fascinating story of American soldiers arriving to liberate Nazi-occupied Holland, and how outlawed Boy Scouts joining the fight for freedom. He contributed to and edited I Go To Prepare a Trail for You, Mikanakawa Lodge 1937-1987, the Lodge history book.
In addition, Gary was a popular writer for young readers, authoring more than 70 books, including Run the Blockade, Red Cap, My Brother the Wind, Massacre at Powder River, A Cry of Angry Thunder and Piper's Ferry: A Tale of the Texas Revolution. He traveled extensively to research his books, placing the reader often in the shoes of a boy growing into manhood amid difficult, historical times. His books are found in school libraries and public libraries across the United States. He was a noted Civil War historian.
Gary taught English and Journalism in both Garland and Plano public schools, educating many who have gone on to prominent careers in journalism. He lived most of his adult life in Plano.
In this life, he was taken all too quickly from us. He lived his life for others, devoting himself fully to the work of the Lord in all he did, living the Scout Oath, Scout Promise and more importantly, The Golden Rule.
He had written 73 books and 22 short stories and had contributed numerous articles to Boys' Life magazine for at least 20 years.
Born in Oklahoma City, Mr. Wisler grew up in Dallas, where he graduated with honors from Hillcrest High School in 1968.
He received his bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University in 1972 and began teaching at Denton High School, where his duties included the school newspaper and yearbook.
He returned to SMU, where he earned his master's degree in English and education in 1974. He later attended the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of North Texas, where he was writing his dissertation on a Civil War history of the 9th Texas Infantry Regiment for a doctorate in history.
Mr. Wisler had many 9th Texas Infantry artifacts on loan from people helping him in his research, his sister said.
Mr. Wisler taught at Ben Jackson Middle School in Garland. In 1979, he published his first novel, My Brother, the Wind, which was nominated for the 1980 American Book award.
In 1984, Mr. Wisler left teaching to devote himself to writing. Two years later, he briefly returned to teaching at Bowman Middle School in Plano.
Mr. Wisler's honors include the International Reading Association's 2001 Paul A. Witty Short Story Award for his work, "The Orange Armband," and an Association of Educational Publishers 2000 Distinguished Achievement Award for Bloody Pond.
He twice won the Western Writers of America Spur Award and was a finalist for the honor eight times.
Gary grew up in Scouting, in Troop 709 sponsored by Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church. After graduating from Hillcrest High School in 1968, he went on to SMU. While a college student in the 1970s, he served as Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 709. He also later served as Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 143, and as Scoutmaster of Troop 30 and Troop 106.
He kept his Vigil in 1982 and was given the Vigil name "Mane of the Buffalo Herder." Gary was recognized with the District Award of Merit for service to youth in and out of the Scouting program. Gary completed Wood Badge and served on staff at Camp Constantin. He received the National Silver Beaver Award.
Gary received the Phil Paul Award in 1986 and the Founders Award in 1990.
Gary was a contributing writer to Boys' Life magazine and other Scouting publications. Among his writings was the short story, The Orange Armband, published in the December 2000 issue of Boys' Life. It tells the fascinating story of American soldiers arriving to liberate Nazi-occupied Holland, and how outlawed Boy Scouts joining the fight for freedom. He contributed to and edited I Go To Prepare a Trail for You, Mikanakawa Lodge 1937-1987, the Lodge history book.
In addition, Gary was a popular writer for young readers, authoring more than 70 books, including Run the Blockade, Red Cap, My Brother the Wind, Massacre at Powder River, A Cry of Angry Thunder and Piper's Ferry: A Tale of the Texas Revolution. He traveled extensively to research his books, placing the reader often in the shoes of a boy growing into manhood amid difficult, historical times. His books are found in school libraries and public libraries across the United States. He was a noted Civil War historian.
Gary taught English and Journalism in both Garland and Plano public schools, educating many who have gone on to prominent careers in journalism. He lived most of his adult life in Plano.
In this life, he was taken all too quickly from us. He lived his life for others, devoting himself fully to the work of the Lord in all he did, living the Scout Oath, Scout Promise and more importantly, The Golden Rule.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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April 9, 2013This book was very good about a young boy who was always made fun of for being related to indians and he also had a brother who died and he always felt his brother was perfect one day people from another tribe come to kill his family but he is to afraid to shoot anyone how will he help win the American Revolution with out even shooting a man you have to read the book to find out
February 18, 2026
Kings Mountain...the turning point of the War for Independence.
So why aren't we taught this in school? Myself and anyone who reads a book about Kings Mountain comes away with the same question - why didn't I hear about this before now. Even the author of this book, G. Clifton Wisler, correlates the same contradiction. Kings Mountain, the most famous battle of the War for Independence, that no one knows about.
This book delves into the history of the Watauga Mountain Man and centers on the second son of a Watauga Mountain Man, Francis Livingstone. How this story is all played out is very real and believable. The ending, the storming of Kings Mountain, is done quite well.
The other thing I appreciated about the novel was that it didn't hold back on the atrocities committed by the British; they are very well spelled out. It is a children's book, but adults will enjoy it as well. But again, it does not hide or sugarcoat the pains of war.
I have often wondered "why" there is no motion picture about this battle - I have seen a lot (not all) of the Revolutionary movies and have yet to even hear Kings Mountain mentioned. It is as if the year 1780 never occurred, and no one cares to explain why Cornwallis' force was reduced, that Tarleton was defeated at least once, or what caused the British to hole up in Yorktown to begin with. It all starts and ends at Kings Mountain.
Lastly, this book got it right: the Deckard Rifle, the rifle carried by the Watauga Mountain Men, and others during the war. It was often misspelled as Decker, or Dickert, but it was clearly not a Kentucky rifle. This book did the rifle justice. I have heard the rifle mentioned in other books on Kings Mountain, but this book gives it its rightful place in history.
Why is that important? I am a direct descendant of Johannes Jacob Duchard, also known as Jacob Deckard, the gunsmith who fashioned the "Deckard Rifle."
So why aren't we taught this in school? Myself and anyone who reads a book about Kings Mountain comes away with the same question - why didn't I hear about this before now. Even the author of this book, G. Clifton Wisler, correlates the same contradiction. Kings Mountain, the most famous battle of the War for Independence, that no one knows about.
This book delves into the history of the Watauga Mountain Man and centers on the second son of a Watauga Mountain Man, Francis Livingstone. How this story is all played out is very real and believable. The ending, the storming of Kings Mountain, is done quite well.
The other thing I appreciated about the novel was that it didn't hold back on the atrocities committed by the British; they are very well spelled out. It is a children's book, but adults will enjoy it as well. But again, it does not hide or sugarcoat the pains of war.
I have often wondered "why" there is no motion picture about this battle - I have seen a lot (not all) of the Revolutionary movies and have yet to even hear Kings Mountain mentioned. It is as if the year 1780 never occurred, and no one cares to explain why Cornwallis' force was reduced, that Tarleton was defeated at least once, or what caused the British to hole up in Yorktown to begin with. It all starts and ends at Kings Mountain.
Lastly, this book got it right: the Deckard Rifle, the rifle carried by the Watauga Mountain Men, and others during the war. It was often misspelled as Decker, or Dickert, but it was clearly not a Kentucky rifle. This book did the rifle justice. I have heard the rifle mentioned in other books on Kings Mountain, but this book gives it its rightful place in history.
Why is that important? I am a direct descendant of Johannes Jacob Duchard, also known as Jacob Deckard, the gunsmith who fashioned the "Deckard Rifle."
March 4, 2019
Good children's history book set during the Revolutionary War that features South Carolina/North Carolina locations.
June 26, 2014
gr 5-8
King's Mountain, NC/Camden, SC, American Revolution 1780. The country has been torn apart by the American Revolution. King's Mountain where 14 year old Francis and his family live, is no exception. For safety, Francis and his sister are sent to Camden, SC to help at their grandmother's tavern. Instead of safety, they find themselves trapped as the town is overtaken by British troops. Francis carefully watches the British and Loyalist troops and looks for an opportunity to escape back home and share what he's learned with the Patriots.
It was interesting reading this book after reading "The Keeping Room" by Anna Myers. "The Keeping Room" is set at the same time in Camden, SC.
Good story
King's Mountain, NC/Camden, SC, American Revolution 1780. The country has been torn apart by the American Revolution. King's Mountain where 14 year old Francis and his family live, is no exception. For safety, Francis and his sister are sent to Camden, SC to help at their grandmother's tavern. Instead of safety, they find themselves trapped as the town is overtaken by British troops. Francis carefully watches the British and Loyalist troops and looks for an opportunity to escape back home and share what he's learned with the Patriots.
It was interesting reading this book after reading "The Keeping Room" by Anna Myers. "The Keeping Room" is set at the same time in Camden, SC.
Good story
December 21, 2016
I gave this book 3 stars because it starts out very interesting with a lot going on. I thought this book was pretty good because it was a little drawn out with the same things going on over and over. The book takes place during the Civil War and involves the battles during this time. The main character does not change much after he starts fighting, and he does the same thing in each battle. I enjoyed the book because of how the boy steps up to fight for his country, but I wish it were interesting all throughout the book.
May 15, 2013
This is an excellent book about a boy and his family who lived during the battles of king's mountain. He goes down to help out his grandmother and encounters many trials along the way. Some of his family is killed in battle as he and his sister try to protect his family. Overall I really liked this book and I recommend it
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews