Two Williams

Maritime #3

by Douglas Wilson

America and her ships may change, but the Monroe boys are always drawn to the sea... Stephen Monroe is a young, zealous patriot, proud of his brother William, who is a distinguished captain in the Revolutionary War. The one thing Stephen can’t understand is how his brother can kill Redcoats but despise the fiery words of other revolutionaries like Thomas Paine. When Stephen meets Lieutenant William Morris, he thinks he has found someone even more patriotic than his brother. Caught between two Williams, Stephen must realize there are two wars going on, and he must choose between his brother’s or Lieutenant Morris’s. Two Williams is a thrilling tale of patriotism and rebellion, the third of best-selling author Douglas Wilson’s historical children’s stories. The four books of the Maritime Series follow the seafaring adventures of the Monroe family from the eighteenth century through modern times. America and her ships may change, but the Monroe boys are always drawn to the sea. Canonball Books is the children's imprint of Canon Press. At Canonball, we believe stories are soul food, so you can expect excitement, danger, loyalty, virtue, and family in your Canonball books. Feed your kids the right books!

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Middle Grade

126 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

I write in order to make the little voices in my head go away. Thus far it hasn't worked.

Reviews

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do other people (and by "other people" I especially mean those of the male persuasion) read about fights and battles and such and...care? Because nothing causes a wall to come between me and keen interest quite like pugilism. It makes both attention and apprehension absolutely abandon me. Happily, there was just enough of a relationship story that I did not meet my demise by dullness, and I'd happily recommend the book to anyone with a Y chromosome.

[Lizze Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads like a mix between sermon notes and plot outline, but still solid soul food for boys and me. :)

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

Better than the first, but not as good as the second. This is just war theory for kids as well as a defense of the American War for Independence over against the French REVOLUTION. Terms matter.

Knowledge of how sea and land battles were fought (even actual history of battles during the War for Independence) would have been advantageous coming to this book.

It was a bit tone deaf to me. One minute the battle would be raging with body parts flying and the next the jokes would be made by the characters. The narrative, while complete and compelling, felt very jerky and not very smooth. On to the the final book!

[Katie W · Rating 2 out of 5]

While a fairly sensible addition to the series, Two Williams is not as engaging as the previous two installments, and failed to capture my attention in quite the same way as the first. However, I did like the lessons drawn concerning extremes and differing moralities behind a single "cause." As a read-aloud book, I feel it would be a little dry.

[Sean Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly this has been my favorite book out of the series. I know many would disagree with that assessment but I think the relationship between Stephen and Morris was intriguing and I enjoyed the ending which was much like book #2’s ending but with a twist!

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ship battles were particularly good. Fun read.

[Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great adventure with an evident worldview, and grasp of history. This review applies to all four books in the Maritime series.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have really been enjoying these stories. Fun family read alouds while driving around.

[Steve Hemmeke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid historical fiction treatment of revolutionary war.
The first chapter takes place in a Jamestown loyalist tavern, and in a few short clear paragraphs, he gives the argument for why fighting against the crown was legitimate. Wilson also considers the two contradictory sorts of revolution sought on the same American side. I especially liked the argument that one need not be either a hothead extremist or a compromiser. A well-thought through position leads to confident fighting on your side, but also realizing there are honorable opponents. Many politically engaged people today need to learn this lesson.

Besides this great history lesson, it is a descriptive portrayal of military action on land and sea, and a primer on how to fight honorably, treat a lady, and choose your loyalties. Covers a lot in 120 small pages.

There is some violence. A lot of military action happens and twice it gets specific and gruesome, but only briefly. Probably best for 10-12 years old and up, given that and the issues covered above.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read-aloud with Aspen and Tommy which caused several good worldview discussions. I think the ideas of self defense and just war theory and when it is and is not appropriate to use deadly force were clearer in Susan Creek, however. The "duel" that was not a duel in Two Williams was awkward and neither the kids, nor I, found it very clear what was going on, ethically speaking. It seemed like a semantic game. I loved the contrast between Paine's views and Christian views concerning the Revolutionary War. . .it was just the right introductory level of discussion for the book's intended audience.

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as good as the previous two, but still makes clear in narrative form the difference between Christians and non-Christians. Wilson also does a good job of showing how both sides in the war had their heroes and their villains. But he does this without making both sides equally right.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

waiting for a fourth

[Susanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick moving story set during the War of Independence.

[Caleb M. Powers]

Charming in its own way, but needs more try-fail cycles and properly earned victories.