The Eyes of the Woods: A story of the Ancient Wilderness

The Young Trailers #4

by Joseph Alexander Altsheler

"The Eyes of the Woods" is an independent story, telling of certain remarkable events in the life of Henry Ware, Paul Cotter, Shif'less Sol Hyde, Silent Tom Ross and Long Jim Hart. But it is also a part of the series dealing with these characters, and is the fourth in point of time, coming after "The Keepers of the Trail."

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

150 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1917

About the author

Joseph Alexander Altsheler was an American newspaper reporter, editor and author of popular juvenile historical fiction. He was a prolific writer, and produced fifty-one novels and at least fifty-three short stories. Thirty-two of his novels were part of his seven series:

The Civil War Series (8 volumes)
The French and Indian War Series (6 volumes)
The Gold Series (2 volumes)
The Great West Series (2 volumes)
The Texan Series (3 volumes)
The World War Series (3 volumes)
The Young Trailers Series (8 volumes)

Although each of the thirty-two novels constitutes an independent story, Altsheler suggested a reading order for each series (i.e., he numbered the volumes). The remaining nineteen novels can be read in any order. [Note, however, that A Knight of Philadelphia was later expanded through the addition of nineteen chapters and some minor tweaks to become Mr. Altsheler's novel In Hostile Red.]

The short stories, of course, can be read in any order. However, some readers might prefer to read them in the order in which they were published. The short story list below is displayed in chronological order with the publication dates shown alongside the titles.

Reviews

[Jeff Chase · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m always happy to read a story of the characters I’ve enjoyed for so many years. However, this one was kind of disappointing - so much of it was a solo Henry. I like it when the crew works together.

[Gary Land · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth volume of the Young Trailers series. Altsheler was one of my favorite authors when I was young and I am enjoying revisiting his works and reading them in their chronological order, something I was unable to do when I was dependent on the public library. While most of the books in the series involve five major characters, this one focuses on Henry Ware who through several almost miraculous escapes leads an enemy force of Indians away from his friends. Ware is almost like a young James Bond in the 18th century American wilderness. It may not always be realistic, but this is a boy's adventure book that communicates a profound sense of reverence for nature.

[Zahid Anwar · Rating 2 out of 5]

boring childish.

[Jonathan Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would have been a good read without all of the 'divine intervention' of the 'greater powers' using forest animals to save the main character dozens of times.

[Raymond Burchette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of the forest and the animals.

A wonderful story of how it must have been to have lived then and how much danger there must have been but such a great story of the forest and animal world as well as the Indians that were forever around.