The Golden Canyon Contents: The Golden Canyon / The Stone Chest

by G.A. Henty

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure

103 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

George 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.

Reviews

[Katja Labonté · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars & 3/10 hearts. This is a compilation of one longer story and one shorter story. The first story is interesting enough, though the discrimination against the Mexicans and Indians is strong. I think there is some smoking but I can’t think of any other content. The second story is obviously one of Henry’s very first and its only interest lies in seeing how even Henty improved a good deal.

A Favourite Quote (yes, this is from the introduction): “To the reader [historical fiction] means a benefit which is incalculable, not only as a means of passing a pleasant hour, but in reviving or imparting a general knowledge of the history and geography, the manners and customs of our own and other lands.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘Well, thank goodness, we have found a back door to that place. It was not a pleasant idea that we might be shut up there with the option of being either shot or starved.’
“‘They would take some time to starve us, Dick; nine horses would last us for a long time.’
“‘Yes, but it would come sooner or later, Tom. Anyhow, I shall feel a great deal more comfortable now I know that there is a way out.
“‘But the Indians know of it too, Dick, if, as Dave thinks, they came down this way to attack the Mexicans.’
“‘Yes, that is not such a comfortable idea.’”

*review to be updated *