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Out on the Pampas
Unedited, unabridged, original format editions with original colored cover art, these Henty books reproduce the original in careful detail. This is a tale of young Englishmen who go out to the Argentine with their family. They have many adventures at the time of the Mexican - American War including a raid by the Pampas Indians in which their sister is abducted. They rescue the girl, make peace with the Indians, and return prosperously to England.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1870
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About the author
G.A. Henty
793 books372 followersGeorge Alfred Henty, better known as G.A. Henty, began his storytelling career with his own children. After dinner, he would spend and hour or two in telling them a story that would continue the next day. Some stories took weeks! A friend was present one day and watched the spell-bound reaction of his children suggesting Henty write down his stories so others could enjoy them. He did. Henty wrote approximately 144 books in addition to stories for magazines and was known as "The Prince of Story-Tellers" and "The Boy's Own Historian." One of Mr. Henty's secretaries reported that he would quickly pace back and forth in his study dictating stories as fast as the secretary could record them.
Henty's stories revolve around fictional boy heroes during fascinating periods of history. His heroes are diligent, intelligent, and dedicated to their country and cause in the face, at times, of great peril... Henty's heroes fight wars, sail the seas, discover land, conquer evil empires, prospect for gold, and a host of other exciting adventures. Along the way, they meet famous personages... In short, Henty's heroes live through tumultuous historic eras meeting leaders of that time. Understanding the culture of the time period becomes second nature as well as comparing/contrasting the society of various cultures.
Henty's stories revolve around fictional boy heroes during fascinating periods of history. His heroes are diligent, intelligent, and dedicated to their country and cause in the face, at times, of great peril... Henty's heroes fight wars, sail the seas, discover land, conquer evil empires, prospect for gold, and a host of other exciting adventures. Along the way, they meet famous personages... In short, Henty's heroes live through tumultuous historic eras meeting leaders of that time. Understanding the culture of the time period becomes second nature as well as comparing/contrasting the society of various cultures.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 18, 2018
A rather unusual tale for Henty. It’s the story of a family who goes out to the Argentine Pampas and makes a success of themselves in farming, so the father and mother and four children are all part of the venture together. It covers several years’ time and the main bit of fighting is around the time of hostile Indians driving off livestock and murdering settlers.
February 6, 2023
4 stars & 4/10 hearts. Probably Henty’s cleanest book, and humorous, interesting, and exciting. It is not set in any historical occurrence, but is simply a story of a family settling in South America. There is some discrimination against Indians, as well as a mention of drinking (only for medicinal purposes) and smoking, & a mention of a married woman kissing a man. The characters were all interesting and well-done.
A Favourite Quote: “Among them were vases of gorgeous flowers, most of them tropical in character, but with them were many old English friends, of which Mr. Hardy had procured seeds.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “As Maud said one day, they would have been perfectly happy had it not been for the frogs. These animals were a very great nuisance. They literally swarmed. Do what they would, the Hardys could not get rid of them. If they would but have kept out of the house, no one would have minded them; indeed, as they destroyed a good many insects, they would have been welcome visitors in the garden; but this was just what they would not do. The door always stood open, and they evidently considered that as an invitation to walk in. There they would hide behind boxes, or get under beds, and into water-jugs and baths, and, in fact, into every possible corner, They would even get into boots; and these had always to be shaken before being put on, in case frogs or insects should have taken up their abode there.”
A Favourite Quote: “Among them were vases of gorgeous flowers, most of them tropical in character, but with them were many old English friends, of which Mr. Hardy had procured seeds.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “As Maud said one day, they would have been perfectly happy had it not been for the frogs. These animals were a very great nuisance. They literally swarmed. Do what they would, the Hardys could not get rid of them. If they would but have kept out of the house, no one would have minded them; indeed, as they destroyed a good many insects, they would have been welcome visitors in the garden; but this was just what they would not do. The door always stood open, and they evidently considered that as an invitation to walk in. There they would hide behind boxes, or get under beds, and into water-jugs and baths, and, in fact, into every possible corner, They would even get into boots; and these had always to be shaken before being put on, in case frogs or insects should have taken up their abode there.”
February 3, 2017
Out on the Pampas is Victorian literature at its most jingoistic.
The Hardy family leave England to make their fortune on the Pampas of Argentine as there isn't enough room left in England. The family work hard and all their work seems to be successful. Cotton is abandoned as a crop, not through lack of profitability, but because of the amount of effort and tedium in harvesting. However, their apparent success is threatened by Indian attacks on their property and animals. The well armed Hardy family manage to fight off the Indians and kill a fair few in the process. There seems to be no thought about the ethics of this and rather an unnecessarily high level of bloodshed.
To their credit, the Hardys treat captured Indians well and this does lead to a resolution in the worse Indian attack and to some sort of treaty.
Having made their fortune, the family retire back to England to live as landowners.
I'm afraid that this book grated rather because of the attitude to the Indians and the thin veneer of spirituality covering a rather materialistic mindset. I have given it two stars as it is a fast paced adventure but do have major reservations.
The Hardy family leave England to make their fortune on the Pampas of Argentine as there isn't enough room left in England. The family work hard and all their work seems to be successful. Cotton is abandoned as a crop, not through lack of profitability, but because of the amount of effort and tedium in harvesting. However, their apparent success is threatened by Indian attacks on their property and animals. The well armed Hardy family manage to fight off the Indians and kill a fair few in the process. There seems to be no thought about the ethics of this and rather an unnecessarily high level of bloodshed.
To their credit, the Hardys treat captured Indians well and this does lead to a resolution in the worse Indian attack and to some sort of treaty.
Having made their fortune, the family retire back to England to live as landowners.
I'm afraid that this book grated rather because of the attitude to the Indians and the thin veneer of spirituality covering a rather materialistic mindset. I have given it two stars as it is a fast paced adventure but do have major reservations.
April 1, 2015
I enjoyed this book...it brought back memories of the time when I was reading a lot of Henty's books. His books are a great way to learn history, although this particular one was simply a story which is rare for Henty.
I had a delightful time reading it, but my favorites are still "A Final Reckoning", "A Tale of the Western Plains"(aka Redskin and Cowboy), and "With Lee in Virginia". Though of course his tales of knights and wars in other countries were more educational and probably better for me as I was not familiar with that history! :)
I had a delightful time reading it, but my favorites are still "A Final Reckoning", "A Tale of the Western Plains"(aka Redskin and Cowboy), and "With Lee in Virginia". Though of course his tales of knights and wars in other countries were more educational and probably better for me as I was not familiar with that history! :)
January 18, 2021
This is the shortest GA Henty I think I've read and it was the least boring, but I wouldn't start your GA Henty journey here.
January 14, 2011
I enjoyed this work of Henty very much. What I really relished about this one was the characters, as well as the adventure. What I liked about "Out on the Pampas" was that the people were much more realistic than other Hentys. They had more feeling, wit, and spirit (for a Henty book that is). This book also didn't have the classic Henty "six pages of all the people who died in this war" and so forth (:D). This isn't my all time favorite Henty, but it was a very pleasant read I must say. :-)
July 25, 2020
A good story and a fair description on homesteading in Argentina.
A fair warning: Henry can be quite racist and not politically correct by today's standards. I read Henty with the understanding that he is a 19th century British Tory Imperialist. He represents the Victorian point of view and in fact, would consider himself sympathetic and liberal towards other races. This is a good reminder to me how not very long ago racism was both acceptable and encouraged throughout the World. Due to my own experiences in Life I am especially sensitive towards how aboriginal people have been treated and portrayed by Europeans. Please remember that Natives are still working towards healing from the effects of colonialism and do not Assume that Henty's portrayal of "Indians" is at all correct or factual. The Europeans made no attempt at understanding these millions of different aboriginal people with many different tribes and cultures. They clumped them all from the North to the South into one entity that they did not bother to get to know.
A fair warning: Henry can be quite racist and not politically correct by today's standards. I read Henty with the understanding that he is a 19th century British Tory Imperialist. He represents the Victorian point of view and in fact, would consider himself sympathetic and liberal towards other races. This is a good reminder to me how not very long ago racism was both acceptable and encouraged throughout the World. Due to my own experiences in Life I am especially sensitive towards how aboriginal people have been treated and portrayed by Europeans. Please remember that Natives are still working towards healing from the effects of colonialism and do not Assume that Henty's portrayal of "Indians" is at all correct or factual. The Europeans made no attempt at understanding these millions of different aboriginal people with many different tribes and cultures. They clumped them all from the North to the South into one entity that they did not bother to get to know.
February 8, 2022
Another fantastic adventure described in the totally enjoyable manner. G. A. Henty is unbelievable
I don't have much to say except this story is truly a literal gem 💎 !! I hope to finish the 100 plus novels !
I don't have much to say except this story is truly a literal gem 💎 !! I hope to finish the 100 plus novels !
December 21, 2017
Tales of derring-do on the Argentinian pampas from the second half of the 1800s.
May 30, 2021
A good story of a family that emigrated to Argentina in the 1880s.
July 23, 2024
It is amazing!!! It is a work of genius. Prolific English author G. A. Henty
tells the story of a family that emigrates to Brazil to start a new life.
It is a warm, family friendly adventure!
tells the story of a family that emigrates to Brazil to start a new life.
It is a warm, family friendly adventure!
September 11, 2013
Great family adventure!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews