For Name and Fame: With Roberts to Cabul or Through Afghan Passes

by G.A. Henty

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Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adventure

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1886

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]

3 stars & 3/10 hearts. This is a pleasant, enjoyable story with a hint of mystery/missing identity. As with most—if not all—of the Henty books set in the 1800s, I enjoyed seeing the daily life of various people. Besides the typical mentions of lying, drinking, & smoking and frequent use of “deuce,” the only thing that bothered me was that when Will & some friends were besieged in an Afghan house with some Afghan women as hostages, his servant gagged a woman & took her robes to sneak out. It’s not detailed and never says he took all her clothes; but still I didn’t like it. But this can be passed over. I liked the talk about education & society, and I do like Will a good deal. I also enjoyed the thought-provoking comments on the consequences of people’s choices and actions.

A Favourite Quote: “‘I suppose the guardians gave you a Bible, today; they always do, when boys goes out.... Be sure you read it often, my boy. You read that, and stick to it, and you won't go far wrong. You know what the parson said, last Sunday: “No one is strong in himself, but God gives strength.”’”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘For the time we are safe," Will said; "but—as I don't want to turn Malay, and live all my life with no other amusement than keeping my own head on, and hunting for those of the enemies of the village—we must think of making our escape, somehow[.]’”

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another wonderful Henty classic. It contains lots of adventure, action, and history.

[Viva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoilers ahead:

This is my second GA Henty book. There is a lot of classism and jingoism in the book, however it was written in a different era and I'm not going to condemn it for that. I'm just going to review the book on its merits as a book.

I believe it's the similar type of plot device as many of his other books, i.e. young man rises in society due to his own efforts and diligence. In this case, a country gentleman (Ripon) catches gypsies who stole his wife's pet fowls for food. They try the man who is condemned because he's a repeat offender. The wife tries to ask Ripon for mercy but he says it's out of his hands. The gypsy woman then steals his young son and gives it to a tramp woman(?) Not exactly sure what happened but she brings him up for a short time before dying. The child is then sent to an orphanage (workhouse) where he is brought up.

He is brought up correctly by a woman who works there (Mrs. Dickinson). A lot (throughout the book) is said about the kid (given the name William Gale) that he doesn't look like peasant stock and that he must be a gentleman's son, etc. Anyway, he's brought up to be brave, honest, teetotaler, etc, by Mrs. Dickinson.

When he's about age, he is apprenticed to be a fishing boat's boy at Yarmouth. This ends rather quickly on his first trip out when the fishing boat is sunk by a Dutch trading boat in the night. The captain refuses to go back to look for survivors as he says there will be none by the time they circle back. Gale agrees to go with the ship to SE Asia because he doesn't really have a choice.

He is diligent and ends up being a useful member of the crew and makes a good friend in Hans, another ships boy. The ship makes one stop in Java before being attacked by pirates. He and Hans escape to a Malay village. Even though he's just a boy, he becomes the leader of the...

Edit: Apparently GR failed to save the ending of my review. Gale ends up enlisting as a private in India (can't remember if it was East India Company troops or the actual British army). Anyway, he shows bravery in every military action he's in during the British invasion of Afghanistan and gets promoted up the non-commissioned ranks until he gets promoted to 2nd lieutenant. At some point he meets his father accidentally. During one of his stays in the hospital his birthmark is seen and his father realizes that Gale is his son. Gale accepts that he is found and leaves India and settles back in England with his Dad and lives happily ever after.

[Jessica Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good for the time period. Very good period.

It is a likeable story of an individual who rises to the top from the bottom. Oh yes, it has a lot of magical breaks and is a bit too handy with lucky them but hey: it is fictoom.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blood-and-morality tale from late 19th century. Our strategy in Afghanistan may have been wiser if we'd read the history of its relationship with western would-be conquerors.