A Bright Tomorrow

American Century #1

by Gilbert Morris

Meet the Stuart family: eight children raised in the hills of Arkansas by their godly and determined mother, Marian, who does her best to lead her children to Christ. But as her three oldest, Lylah, Amos, and Owen, each decide to go their own ways, none seem to follow the path Marian has laid out for them. Set at the turn of the twentieth century, this first of the American Century series tells the story of a time of growth and opportunity. Filled with historical figures such as Theodore Roosevelt and James Randolph Hearst, this fascinating book will draw readers into the exciting events of the time and the lives of the family it follows. As the Stuarts mature, so does a young nation racked with uncertainty and growing pains of its own.

Previously published as A Time to Be Born

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Historical, Fiction, Christian Romance

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1995

About the author

also published under the name Gilbert L. Morris

Gilbert Morris was one of today's best-known Christian novelists. He lived in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with his wife, Johnnie. He is the father to Lynn Morris and Alan Morris

Series:
* Adventures of Kerrigan Kids
* American Century
* Appomattox Saga
* Barney Buck
* Bonnets and Bugles
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Lynn Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Lynn Morris)
* Chronicles of the Golden Frontier
* The Creole (with Lynn Morris)
* Danielle Ross Mystery
* Daystar Voyages
* Dixie Morris Animal Adventures
* Far Fields (with Robert Funderburk)
* House of Winslow
* Jacques and Cleo: Cat Detectives
* Katy Steele Adventures (with Alan Morris)
* Lady Trent Mystery
* Liberty Bell
* Lions of Judah
* Lone Star Legacy
* Omega (with Lynn Morris and Alan Morris)
* The Price of Liberty (with Robert Funderburk)
* Reno Western Saga
* Seven Sleepers
* Seven Sleepers: The Lost Chronicles
* Singing River
* Spirit of Appalachia (with Aaron McCarver)
* Too Smart Jones
*

Reviews

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stuart Family: 8 children in the hills of Arkansas.

The oldest three, Lylah, Amos, and Owens, decide to go their own way.

What a great era. The beginning of the 1900's brought a lot of firsts. Planes and cars, just to name a few.

Names such as Teddy Roosevelt and Randolph Hearst, fill the pages. Being a writer myself I found Hearst and his paper very interesting. (Not so much the man.)

I read every book of the House of Winslow several years ago and found A Bright Tomorrow much the same type of writing. The pace did go fast at times, then slowed to record an important event like the Rough Riders and Cuba.

I loved this book and the feeling it gave me about the early 1900's. It drew me into the exciting events of that era.

[Kathleen Carrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always really enjoy Christian historical fiction books and this was no exception. I look forward to continuing on with the series to see what further happens with the Stuart family.

[Joe Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start to a relatively unknown series. I was a little leery of this book because of the strong connections to God the Stuart family have. I was pleasantly surprised that the author was able to tell a great story at the turn of the 20th century while not overshadowing the history with preaching. I look forward to continuing to read the series

[Ankita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary Tease
Book started in late 1800s, a family with 8 children raised in Arkansas with a mother who believed in god and wants her kids to believe in god too but they don't. Amos,Llyah and Owen are eldest of 8 children who go on a long adventure in different ways to escape their poverty life in Arkansas with their family and go and live their dreams with no rules. Lylah runs away from her school and joins acting business in New York while her family was worried when they knew about it. To search Llyah, Amos,the eldest of 8 children, goes to new York, later he decides to stay there when he found her to earn money and to live his dream.


Who might be interested in this book? Why?
This book is more like a history book so the ones who are more interested in history this book is for them. This book talks about Spanish-american war, what happened with soldiers and how they felt and presidency of Teddy Roosevelt and finding of what they want.

Overall Satisfaction
I give this book 4 stars because this book was really easy, this book changes perspectives but we know when and from what perspective its going talking about by reading the title of the chapter. This book has everything in it, all types of emotions in it.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my favorite series when I was a kid! I found them again recently and found out there is a final book I didn’t ever get to read before. So! I’m reading the series again.

In the 15-20 years since I first read these, my taste in literature has obviously changed by leaps and bounds. Throw in my English Literature degree and a few years of professional editing and it’s pretty entertaining to pick up a childhood favorite. A fun read, but not the amazing story I remembered it being. A few writing errors throughout and a heavy emphasis on born-again Christianity were over my head the first time through. But I’m still happy to re-discover the series and can’t wait to read book 7 for the first time!

[Carmen Redding · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything I like in a book: characters with whom I can identify, a fast moving plot, and an interesting historical setting. Gilbert Morris is not only a skilled writer, but also a knowledgeable historian. I have not only enjoyed an emotionally satisfying story, but have also come away with an appreciation for the life experiences of Americans at the turn of the century. I highly recommend this book.

[Ken Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. Places the reader into a family as they work their way through the late 1800's and into the early 1900's. Combines history and fiction in a unique manner. I appreciated the way in which the author has created complete characters who struggle with what it means to encounter God and follow Jesus in a broken world.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading about the Stuart family, their triumphs and tragedies, and the interesting glimpses of history provided along the way. Each individual has a unique personality and is at a different place in their journey of faith. Some of the chapters are more interesting than others, but a worthwhile read overall.

[Dru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this first of four books. Reading the second one now.

[Martic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Covered a lot of history including 1898 ride up San Jose hill, the Wright Brother's first plane flight, circus performers, and more.

[Megan Torrance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this book…thus it took me a while to finish. I absolutely loved the House of Winslow series by Gilbert Morris, but this was just a tad underwhelming.

[Maddy G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say this is definitely a good comfort and chill read, not too crazy but still interesting! I like the historical fiction and faith combined!

[Monta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow start, and some slower bits due to the loads of historical context, but two great love stories!

[Allan67 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book that I read to Diana. We can't do much anymore after her stroke, so I read to her to spend time together. Diana has always loved to have someone to read to her - and I like to do just that.

The first book in a series about an Arkansas family in the twentieth century.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read other novels from Gilbert Morris and his daughter also, I was not surprised that I was caught up in this family saga. Even though Will Stuart, the father is a weak individual, his wife taught their children about hard work, love and Jesus Christ. Mrs. Stuart dies in mid-life leaving her husband with a pack of kids still at home and him with a girlfriend on the side that talks him into a marriage of convenience if nothing else. A true stepmother she is not, but the Lord is looking out for these children as they begin to wander off looking for love in all the wrong places. Never do they forget what their mother has taught them though, even if they don't take it seriously enough for some time. The first boy to leave falls in love, but leaves the city for a journalist job overseas. While he is gone, his first love works in a seedy joint that leads to her taking up with a so-called actor that starts her drinking and eventually seduces her. She knows she has lost something precious and continues to drink and carrouse until she falls on the street sick with pneumonia. The Director of the Salvation Army finds her and takes her back to the mission. She is nursed back to health and repents of her sin, finding a new life in Christ. She goes to the mission field in China having no idea what God is going to do for her after she arrives. I will not tell you either because it takes the story deeper. While this is happening, the oldest daughter who was the first child to leave supposedly to go to Bible School, did become an actress and is living a lonely life on the road traveling from theatre to theatre. God does healing through all these adventures and this is a delightful read. This e-book was free, but I had to purchase the next book immediately! You will want to also!

[Phyllis Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Bright Tomorrow by Gilbert Morris

Fourteen year old Owen Stuart and his brother Amos, who was eighteen, were close. They didn’t want their older sister to leave the farm in the Ozarks to attend Bethany Bible Institute in the late 1800’s. Lylah, the oldest boys, and their mother were expected to carry the load of the family while their father spent much of his time at musicals and dances. He would rather play an instrument with a band than work faithfully to provide for his family.

Lylah was not so much interested in school as she was in escaping her small town and eventually left college to travel and appear on stage with singers and dancers. Amos followed Lylah to New York City to be sure she was safe. Later, he joined Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders.

Owen ran the farm for awhile and then joined a circus as a boxer.

The book spins interesting stories of these three older children of the Stuart family showing family loyalty during some difficult times. Morris also aptly portrays the ethics and hard work which pulled the boys out of poverty to a more comfortable life. Amos came to Christ and tried to influence his brother. Owen had good values but is slow to come to faith.

You’ll love the twists and turns of stories about these three and those they meet.

[Wen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st of the Gilbert Morris series American Odyssey later renamed American Century. The book was later renamed A Bright Tomorrow.

It is a great book. It starts from the end of the 1800- and goes through the beginning of the 1900s. It goes through the Spanish American war, Boxer Rebelion and even the flight of the Wright brothers. It also covers early stage, prize boxing and even the mob. Lots packed into one book. The characters are very well done and easy to like and want to read more about.

[Cynthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I barely remember this book, although I finished it, which tells me 'it was ok' as the two stars indicate. I do love a Christian based book because it is refreshing and pleasant to read about people who, like me, try to please Christ and live a real Christian life, but my memory of this book is that the characters didn't really strike me as 'real' people. Plan to speed up my entry process so I have better recall.

[Amy Riccio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly decent Christian fiction. The writing and characters were better and more detailed than most. I did like the historical setting and how the characters blended into historical events. I'm going to read the next one, but more to solidify my own historical timeline of the early 1900s, and not necessarily for the sake of the writing.

[Becki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember really enjoying Gilbert Morris' House of Winslow as a kid but I just could not get into this book. I read about halfway and finally gave up. I felt as if there was no depth to the characters. Instead of focusing on one, at least 3 points of view were going on and I anticipated a 4th to be added based upon the description.

[Letitia · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Gilbert Morris book, and I was very impressed!

[Melva · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was my first book by this author. I really enjoyed it.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent turn of century history, get sequel

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I found this author! Very enjoyable books. Time moves at a good pace in the novels.

[Sue Hess · Rating 4 out of 5]

.... I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

[Effie Higginbotham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring!

Gilbert Morris is my kind of author. He adequately presents the need for Christ in the lives of his characters.

[Renee Abernathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This book is totally full of action and surprises. The reader is on edge throughout. Beautiful love story and full of the love of God.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable historical fiction from a Christian perspective. Stuart Family and their lives from 1890s to 1910.

[Caroline Cloutier]

It was a very good book i do like Gilbert Morris Books .