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Anson's Way
While serving as a British Fencible to maintain the peace in eighteenth-century Ireland, Anson finds that his sympathy for a hedge master, a teacher devoted to teaching Irish children their forbidden language and culture, places him in conflict with the law of King George II. Reprint.
213 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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About the author
Gary D. Schmidt
75 books2,187 followersGary D. Schmidt is an American children's writer of nonfiction books and young adult novels, including two Newbery Honor books. He lives on a farm in Alto, Michigan,with his wife and six children, where he splits wood, plants gardens, writes, feeds the wild cats that drop by and wishes that sometimes the sea breeze came that far inland. He is a Professor of English at Calvin College.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 9, 2023
Certain historical situations are written about more than others, so it's refreshing to see Gary D. Schmidt tells a story from a less familiar historical setting. Anson's Way introduces Anson Granville Staplyton, the latest in a long family line to defend the British Empire. It's the 1700s, and the Irish are unhappy with King George II's strict laws and behavioral code. British Fencibles—including Anson, a young drummer—are dispatched to quell any uprising in the Irish territory, but Anson is mostly excited about serving under his father, the respected Colonel Staplyton. Others in his unit are wary of Anson at first—will the colonel afford him special treatment?—but as soon as it's apparent that Anson will be regarded as any other Fencible, he finds himself at home among his brothers in arms. He's on his way to becoming a man.
Fencibles are esteemed by all except Irishmen, and Anson soon comes to question how the Irish are treated by the British monarch. They aren't allowed to own horses of value or speak their native tongue. The penalty for violating these rules is, at best, a savage whipping—which a horrified Anson watches a hedge master receive one day in the public square—and at worst, deportation to the Australian prison colony, or death. Anson isn't the only Fencible unsure the British are doing the right thing by the Irish: Corporal Oakes, Lieutenant Fielding, even Colonel Staplyton waver in their certainty. But being a Fencible means loyalty to the crown, and Anson is determined to make his father proud.
When Anson sees an Irish farmer and his son executed over a property dispute, he's faced with a decision: redouble his commitment to the Fencibles no matter how his conscience protests, or risk soiling the Staplyton name by dissenting from British political dogma. Anson finds himself mingling with Irish outlaws, including Sorcha O'Leary, a girl who shows him the beauty of Ireland's hidden places and what it's like to be educated in secret for fear of the Fencibles. The Irish are unwilling to relinquish their cultural heritage even if the crown demands they do so. Violent rebellion is coming, and Anson is torn between defending his friends who wear the red coat of the Fencibles, or Sorcha and the downtrodden Irish who only wish to be left alone. Can Anson walk the thin line and not betray either side, or will he inevitably have to choose between family honor and moral responsibility to an afflicted people?
Who is Anson, if not a Fencible? What else can he aspire to be? "You are to be Anson Staplyton," an Irish hedge master answers him. "Plant your own hedgerow. Plant it and pray God it leads as straight and true as ever it might in this tired old world." The only way to move confidently into an uncertain future is to plant your row as evenly as possible and hope the earnest effort leads where you intend to go. Anson's Way showcases Gary D. Schmidt's splendid facility with words, which contain a weight and beauty that most authors' don't have, though his later novels are crisper, wiser, and more emotionally affecting. A Historical Note at the end of this one would have helped put the story in context. Anson's Way is one of Gary D. Schmidt's early works, and he went on to have a distinguished career in juvenile literature. I particularly recommend his books from five or ten years later.
Fencibles are esteemed by all except Irishmen, and Anson soon comes to question how the Irish are treated by the British monarch. They aren't allowed to own horses of value or speak their native tongue. The penalty for violating these rules is, at best, a savage whipping—which a horrified Anson watches a hedge master receive one day in the public square—and at worst, deportation to the Australian prison colony, or death. Anson isn't the only Fencible unsure the British are doing the right thing by the Irish: Corporal Oakes, Lieutenant Fielding, even Colonel Staplyton waver in their certainty. But being a Fencible means loyalty to the crown, and Anson is determined to make his father proud.
When Anson sees an Irish farmer and his son executed over a property dispute, he's faced with a decision: redouble his commitment to the Fencibles no matter how his conscience protests, or risk soiling the Staplyton name by dissenting from British political dogma. Anson finds himself mingling with Irish outlaws, including Sorcha O'Leary, a girl who shows him the beauty of Ireland's hidden places and what it's like to be educated in secret for fear of the Fencibles. The Irish are unwilling to relinquish their cultural heritage even if the crown demands they do so. Violent rebellion is coming, and Anson is torn between defending his friends who wear the red coat of the Fencibles, or Sorcha and the downtrodden Irish who only wish to be left alone. Can Anson walk the thin line and not betray either side, or will he inevitably have to choose between family honor and moral responsibility to an afflicted people?
Who is Anson, if not a Fencible? What else can he aspire to be? "You are to be Anson Staplyton," an Irish hedge master answers him. "Plant your own hedgerow. Plant it and pray God it leads as straight and true as ever it might in this tired old world." The only way to move confidently into an uncertain future is to plant your row as evenly as possible and hope the earnest effort leads where you intend to go. Anson's Way showcases Gary D. Schmidt's splendid facility with words, which contain a weight and beauty that most authors' don't have, though his later novels are crisper, wiser, and more emotionally affecting. A Historical Note at the end of this one would have helped put the story in context. Anson's Way is one of Gary D. Schmidt's early works, and he went on to have a distinguished career in juvenile literature. I particularly recommend his books from five or ten years later.
December 19, 2023
The story is good - Schmidt knows how to create teenaged characters and to express their confusion as they struggle with balancing ideals with the real world.
I've read a few of Schmidt's books, some of which are historical fiction, but this one is set the farthest in the past. I was extremely disappointed by the lack of historic specificity, and by what appears to me to be error. If you are going to write historical fiction, it should be firmly rooted in history.
We are never given a definite year for the story. The characters are fictional, so no help there. But there are several facts that can be used in an attempt to triangulate.
1. The preface titled "The Hedge Master" contains two things that are impossible to reconcile. On p.1 it states that the hedge master is "violating something close to a score of King George II's laws." George II ruled from 1727 until his death in 1760. On p.2 it is said that "the hedge masters teach, under threat of imprisonment, fine, exile to Australia, and execution." The First Fleet departed from England in 1787 to establish the penal colony that would be the first British settlement in Australia. So no one was being sent off to Australia during the reign of George II.
2. On p.196, in a letter, Lord Melville writes that the consequence for Captain Brockle's incompetence "might best be described as a career no better than lackluster, perhaps on the American station." My understanding is that this refers to the English troops in the American colonies following the end of French and Indian War in 1763 (and paid for by the Stamp Act of 1765). So no American station existed past 1783 when the American Revolution ended.
3. The "seeds of Irish rebellion" are mentioned on p.1. The only rebellion following the period in question was in 1798 (before that was the Williamite War of 1689-91). The book only refers to a threatened future rebellion, so it seems that 1798 is still to come.
4. In attempting to avert or combat this future rebellion, English troops were sent to Ireland. These are the fencibles. The specific unit of the book, the Staffordshire Fencibles, is fictional, but as far as I can tell, no English fencibles were stationed in Ireland before 1794.
Several of the above facts point to a date between 1794 and 1798. However, the mention of George II (instead of George III, who ruled from 1760 to 1820) and of the American station don't make any sense. In the 1790s, no British troops would be stationed in America (though I suppose Canada might be possible). I view these two as inconsistencies that can be ignored and stick to the 1794-98 dating.
But why is it that I, in the course of an hour or so, can set forth all this and Schmidt couldn't be bothered to do so (and at the same time, to correct the anomalies so the book has a firmly established historical setting)?
I also noted one odd use of a musical term. On p.92, the drummer is said to have "missed the trill" - but a trill is a musical ornament involving adjacent pitches. Ornaments on the snare drum would be flams, ruffs, and rolls. I believe sometimes tr is used as an abbreviation for "tremolo" meaning a roll, but I know of no evidence for "trill" being used for drums in a military setting.
And why is St. Gobnait spelled as Gobnet?
I've read a few of Schmidt's books, some of which are historical fiction, but this one is set the farthest in the past. I was extremely disappointed by the lack of historic specificity, and by what appears to me to be error. If you are going to write historical fiction, it should be firmly rooted in history.
We are never given a definite year for the story. The characters are fictional, so no help there. But there are several facts that can be used in an attempt to triangulate.
1. The preface titled "The Hedge Master" contains two things that are impossible to reconcile. On p.1 it states that the hedge master is "violating something close to a score of King George II's laws." George II ruled from 1727 until his death in 1760. On p.2 it is said that "the hedge masters teach, under threat of imprisonment, fine, exile to Australia, and execution." The First Fleet departed from England in 1787 to establish the penal colony that would be the first British settlement in Australia. So no one was being sent off to Australia during the reign of George II.
2. On p.196, in a letter, Lord Melville writes that the consequence for Captain Brockle's incompetence "might best be described as a career no better than lackluster, perhaps on the American station." My understanding is that this refers to the English troops in the American colonies following the end of French and Indian War in 1763 (and paid for by the Stamp Act of 1765). So no American station existed past 1783 when the American Revolution ended.
3. The "seeds of Irish rebellion" are mentioned on p.1. The only rebellion following the period in question was in 1798 (before that was the Williamite War of 1689-91). The book only refers to a threatened future rebellion, so it seems that 1798 is still to come.
4. In attempting to avert or combat this future rebellion, English troops were sent to Ireland. These are the fencibles. The specific unit of the book, the Staffordshire Fencibles, is fictional, but as far as I can tell, no English fencibles were stationed in Ireland before 1794.
Several of the above facts point to a date between 1794 and 1798. However, the mention of George II (instead of George III, who ruled from 1760 to 1820) and of the American station don't make any sense. In the 1790s, no British troops would be stationed in America (though I suppose Canada might be possible). I view these two as inconsistencies that can be ignored and stick to the 1794-98 dating.
But why is it that I, in the course of an hour or so, can set forth all this and Schmidt couldn't be bothered to do so (and at the same time, to correct the anomalies so the book has a firmly established historical setting)?
I also noted one odd use of a musical term. On p.92, the drummer is said to have "missed the trill" - but a trill is a musical ornament involving adjacent pitches. Ornaments on the snare drum would be flams, ruffs, and rolls. I believe sometimes tr is used as an abbreviation for "tremolo" meaning a roll, but I know of no evidence for "trill" being used for drums in a military setting.
And why is St. Gobnait spelled as Gobnet?
March 10, 2024
Boy, it didn't take long for Gary D. Schmidt to hit his stride. This was heavy subject matter, but he handled it so well. Anson's character journey was so believable. The setting of Ireland was incredibly realistic. I felt like I was there.
August 23, 2021
I picked up this book to read because I enjoyed Gary Schmidt's "The Wednesday Wars". Also, because there is a picture of a boy drumming a snare. My son has been drumming non-stop for the past few months. He is a trumpet player in his high school marching band but his exposure to drumming has convinced him to want to be in drum line next fall and do winter percussion now. So, I embarked on this story for those connections. I got so much more.
This historical fictional novel's main character is Anson, the son of a Colonel in the English Army of Fencibles, who sailed to Ireland to keep the peace. Truly, it was not peaceful. The English took away many of the Irish's rights and used the people to bring back food and wool for England. Anson's role in the Fencibles was to drum. He kept the beat for marching, drills and used his drum to tell the army when to begin, when to stop, when to retreat. The drum was their loudspeaker so they knew what to do. "....Anson felt the vibration of the drum in his head and his palms had molded themselves around the sticks..."P.8 "Sound it Drummer. For God's sake, sound it loud.......Anson banged out the recall against the flames......reluctantly, the pattern of obedience laid itself upon the Fencibles....." P. 88
I also learned of Hedge masters. Teachers who tried to keep Irish lore alive but taught in secret. They might have been called Hedge masters because there were hedges planted around Ireland....so tall that people could do things secretly down a lane of hedges. In truth they met in barns or other places hoped not to be suspected by the British Armies. Reminds me of the time of the Maccabees when Jewish children pretended to play with dreidels so that the Greeks would not know they were studying Hebrew. So appropriate since Today is the first day of Chanukkah!
This historical fictional novel's main character is Anson, the son of a Colonel in the English Army of Fencibles, who sailed to Ireland to keep the peace. Truly, it was not peaceful. The English took away many of the Irish's rights and used the people to bring back food and wool for England. Anson's role in the Fencibles was to drum. He kept the beat for marching, drills and used his drum to tell the army when to begin, when to stop, when to retreat. The drum was their loudspeaker so they knew what to do. "....Anson felt the vibration of the drum in his head and his palms had molded themselves around the sticks..."P.8 "Sound it Drummer. For God's sake, sound it loud.......Anson banged out the recall against the flames......reluctantly, the pattern of obedience laid itself upon the Fencibles....." P. 88
I also learned of Hedge masters. Teachers who tried to keep Irish lore alive but taught in secret. They might have been called Hedge masters because there were hedges planted around Ireland....so tall that people could do things secretly down a lane of hedges. In truth they met in barns or other places hoped not to be suspected by the British Armies. Reminds me of the time of the Maccabees when Jewish children pretended to play with dreidels so that the Greeks would not know they were studying Hebrew. So appropriate since Today is the first day of Chanukkah!
April 20, 2020
An early work by award winning writer, Gary Schmidt. It is a well written tale of a new recruit to the Staffordshire Fencibles, stationed in Dublin. Anson Staplyton is son of the colonel, and the last in a long line of Stapylton's to join the Fencibles (British army defensive forces). His honour and pride in the long tradition are put to the test, however, when thoughtless and hot headed men stir up trouble with the Irish population, and Anson sees another side to British imperial ambition. He must find a way to navigate the emerging situation with his honour intact.
As usual for this author, characterisation is a real strength here. It is perhaps not as well done as Schmidt's later works, and the story itself is less involved as later works by this author. There is a touch of humour, particularly around the state of Anson's leggings, and more than a few touches of sadness too. Despite being an early work of Schmidt's, this is still excellent. Well worth a read.
As usual for this author, characterisation is a real strength here. It is perhaps not as well done as Schmidt's later works, and the story itself is less involved as later works by this author. There is a touch of humour, particularly around the state of Anson's leggings, and more than a few touches of sadness too. Despite being an early work of Schmidt's, this is still excellent. Well worth a read.
October 15, 2025
Continuing through my year of Gary Schmidt. I've really enjoyed reading these first novels of his and seeing the themes that get better developed later in his writing career - father/son relationships, life choices and finding your way in life. a wholly unique historical setting for a novel: 1500's England/Ireland. Plot felt a little underdeveloped and some characters didn't seem necessary to where that plot went, but on the whole, pretty interesting.
August 14, 2025
Beautifully rich and thoughtfully informative. Schmidt tackles a tense balance, and shows how there is a different way than simply picking sides.
May we, in this culture rife with legitimate disagreement and gratuitous hatred, learn to continually plant the hedgerow of Charity.
May we, in this culture rife with legitimate disagreement and gratuitous hatred, learn to continually plant the hedgerow of Charity.
May 30, 2013
This story takes place in the era of King George II of Great Britain and his tyranny over Ireland in the early 1700's. I always love that this particular author writes a compelling story while using some aspect of cultural literacy as a backdrop so you learn something in the reading process beyond the good story.
This is definitely some of his earlier writing. The characters in this book aren't nearly as well developed as in some of his more recent books. However, he does a good job characterizing them by their words and actions so you still have a fairly good idea of what the main characters are like.
This book is about a boy named Anson who for years has dreamed of following his father into the military, the Fencibles or defense army of Great Britain at the time. He finally gets his chance and heads up to Ireland in a division overseen by his father.
Over time, Anson discovers he doesn't want to be a soldier if it involves no mercy, no charity and no forgiveness and unrestrained brutality and violence. He ultimately chooses his own way and it is not the way of his father, his grandfather or his great-grandfather before him.
Awesome book about peer pressure and choosing your own path.
This is definitely some of his earlier writing. The characters in this book aren't nearly as well developed as in some of his more recent books. However, he does a good job characterizing them by their words and actions so you still have a fairly good idea of what the main characters are like.
This book is about a boy named Anson who for years has dreamed of following his father into the military, the Fencibles or defense army of Great Britain at the time. He finally gets his chance and heads up to Ireland in a division overseen by his father.
Over time, Anson discovers he doesn't want to be a soldier if it involves no mercy, no charity and no forgiveness and unrestrained brutality and violence. He ultimately chooses his own way and it is not the way of his father, his grandfather or his great-grandfather before him.
Awesome book about peer pressure and choosing your own path.
December 12, 2013
Anson’s Way by Gary D. Schmidt
GARY D. SCHMIDT CATERGORY
This novel is about a boy who dreamed, all his life, for the time when he could enter Britain’s military and follow in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He finally gets to go to Ireland and be under his father’s command, when what he sees causes him to question whether or not a military career is for him. The injustices he sees causes him to question the right and wrong of morality, and he realizes that British soldiers are full of hatred and are striving to tyrannize over the Irish. He eventually realizes that it is ok to break from tradition, and to instead focus on becoming who Anson Staplyton is meant to be. I appreciated the relationship Anson had with his father. Schmidt could have made him the stereotypical hard-nosed military commander that doesn’t understand his son’s perspective, and I’m glad he didn’t. The historical content of the book was interesting, and not very well known. Though I wouldn’t necessarily share this with younger adolescents, I feel older adolescents would benefit from being exposed to Anson’s process of self-discovery.
GARY D. SCHMIDT CATERGORY
This novel is about a boy who dreamed, all his life, for the time when he could enter Britain’s military and follow in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He finally gets to go to Ireland and be under his father’s command, when what he sees causes him to question whether or not a military career is for him. The injustices he sees causes him to question the right and wrong of morality, and he realizes that British soldiers are full of hatred and are striving to tyrannize over the Irish. He eventually realizes that it is ok to break from tradition, and to instead focus on becoming who Anson Staplyton is meant to be. I appreciated the relationship Anson had with his father. Schmidt could have made him the stereotypical hard-nosed military commander that doesn’t understand his son’s perspective, and I’m glad he didn’t. The historical content of the book was interesting, and not very well known. Though I wouldn’t necessarily share this with younger adolescents, I feel older adolescents would benefit from being exposed to Anson’s process of self-discovery.
July 27, 2012
Anson has longed for the day when he would become a soldier like his father, and serve His Majesty, the King of England. But by the time the teenager reaches Ireland, where the forces are stationed, he has begun to realize that things are not so simple. The King's Soldiers aren't keeping the peace-instead, fueled by a hatred of the Irish and Ireland, they are determined to...more Anson has longed for the day when he would become a soldier like his father, and serve His Majesty, the King of England. But by the time the teenager reaches Ireland, where the forces are stationed, he has begun to realize that things are not so simple. The King's Soldiers aren't keeping the peace-instead, fueled by a hatred of the Irish and Ireland, they are determined to wipe out as much of its culture as they can. Soon, Anson is no longer sure which way is right. Can he bear to enforce the law, or will he risk everything and break it?
February 15, 2014
gr 5-9 213 pgs
early/mid 1700s (King George II's reign), Dublin, Ireland. Anson's could hardly wait to join the Staffordshire Fencibles just as all the men in his family before him. He is eager to gain the approval of his father, the colonel. But when he gets to Dublin, Anson discovers that his experiences do not live up to the stories of the Fencibles that he grew up on. When Anson witnesses an Irish boy throw a stone that accidentally causes the death of a Fencible, Anson's loyalties are tested. Is it just for the boy to be hanged when it was an accident? Would a loyal Fencible refuse to name the boy?
Depicts the horrible treatment of the Irish under the British rule. I liked that book showed a variety of perspectives.
early/mid 1700s (King George II's reign), Dublin, Ireland. Anson's could hardly wait to join the Staffordshire Fencibles just as all the men in his family before him. He is eager to gain the approval of his father, the colonel. But when he gets to Dublin, Anson discovers that his experiences do not live up to the stories of the Fencibles that he grew up on. When Anson witnesses an Irish boy throw a stone that accidentally causes the death of a Fencible, Anson's loyalties are tested. Is it just for the boy to be hanged when it was an accident? Would a loyal Fencible refuse to name the boy?
Depicts the horrible treatment of the Irish under the British rule. I liked that book showed a variety of perspectives.
January 24, 2015
3.5 stars. I enjoyed reading about the English Fencibles in Ireland. My Irish and English heritage wasn't sure whose side to be on, and I found myself wanting the whoever was kind to win - English or Irish.
This book makes one think though of people through the centuries who have been murdered and treated poorly just because some other nation thought they were savages and invaded. It made me think of the American Indians, the Jews, and others. What gives anyone the right to suppress another person based on race, gender, or religion? It also made me think that if we could just be kind to each other, our world could enjoy peace.
I enjoy Schmidt's style of writing. He always makes me think and question.
This book makes one think though of people through the centuries who have been murdered and treated poorly just because some other nation thought they were savages and invaded. It made me think of the American Indians, the Jews, and others. What gives anyone the right to suppress another person based on race, gender, or religion? It also made me think that if we could just be kind to each other, our world could enjoy peace.
I enjoy Schmidt's style of writing. He always makes me think and question.
October 6, 2010
What I love about this book is how Anson faces the challenge of growing up and deciding for himself how he will live. Anson is a character I can admire because he chooses to think about what's right and how he wants to live his life, even in a situation where it's easier not to think and to just follow what he's told to do. Anson had to face one of the hardest challenges of life that I think we're all faced with over and over again.
I also loved the relationship between him and his dad and how it developed during the story. Great read!
I also loved the relationship between him and his dad and how it developed during the story. Great read!
August 22, 2013
Very good. It is about a boy, Anson, in the 1700's making decisions about his future. He does some deep thinking about right and wrong and considers what is moral. I like the relationship between him and his Father. His Father is a much stronger man than is true in most of the Schmidt books. I think this would require an older reader than most of his books. I was impressed by the discrimination and mistreatment of people that did not involve Black and White. I sometimes think we forget a lot of us came from servitude. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the book.
September 12, 2008
Very consistent with Schmidt's other books - excellent, themes of fathers and sons, sons making their own way. But also about the arrogant and cruel occupation of Ireland by England and somehow, because of the similarity with the arrogant and cruel occupation of Iraq by America, this book was deeply distressing. I wish that all the children we've sent would come away from this occupation as undamaged as Anson, and that the children of Iraq will forgive us.
December 3, 2012
This book was sometimes difficult to read because of the injustice imposed upon the Irish subjects of 18th century England. Though loosely based on history there is much more fiction than fact, and several plot holes that would probably drive a history buff crazy, but it's a compelling story and an enjoyable read. There are some scenes of fairly intense violence, and some deep issues at hand so I wouldn't recommend this for elementary school.
Recommended for ages 12 and up
March 11, 2008
A book about a young British soldier trying to please his stern commanding officer father in his first soldiering assignment in Ireland. But he sees that the Irish people are not the ignorant savages that he was led to expect. If he follows his heart to help the people he must give up his lifelong goal to be a proper English soldier.
A good book!
A good book!
January 5, 2009
3.5 stars. Makes me shake my head about the horrible things that people do to each other - in the name of duty, religion, freedom, honor, etc. This one is the English trying to take over Ireland. Does a very credible job of showing people on both sides who can be jerks and those who can be sympathetic to those with varying beliefs.
October 11, 2011
Interesting from an historical perspective, for me it was just okay. There wasn't the depth of character development that I expected from a Gary Schmidt book and without some deeper relationships to help lift the story from what was such a depressing time in Ireland's history, I was just glad when it was finally over.
July 5, 2013
I liked how this book ended. Anson is a great young man, growing up well.
"You are to be Anson Staplyton," answered the hedge master simply. "Plant your own hedgerow. Plant it and pray God it leads as straight and true as ever it might in this tired old world."
"You are to be Anson Staplyton," answered the hedge master simply. "Plant your own hedgerow. Plant it and pray God it leads as straight and true as ever it might in this tired old world."
February 23, 2015
A good read, really gives the reader a sense of the time and the futility of using force to get one's way. The boy, Anson, is in a really hard place both literally and figuratively. the author does an excellent job of allowing us to struggle with the decisions along side Anson throughout the book.
September 9, 2008
A good story, not nearly as complex as his other work. Perhaps I'll have to try lizzie Bright again.
May 3, 2010
An unfortunate title and an even more unfortunate cover (makes it very difficult to handsell this to my teens and tweens) for this important book.
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