The Will and the Wisp

by James D. Armstrong, Sharon Kizziah-Holmes

The Will and the Wisp is based on the compelling true story of the Armstrong family history.Set in the 1800's, O.C. Armstrong is a Mississippi tenant farmer that shares the crops with his brother-in-law Bud, and good friend old black Neil. When the men stumble upon a treasure the Wisp seems to offer a warning of doom, and the Native Indians tell them the treasure is evil.

Then life takes an unexpected turn, the Armstrong family is torn apart, but will they heed these words of wisdom and leave the treasure alone? Is it too late? Or will they pursue the wealth and be forced to face the consequence?

Genres: Historical Fiction

361 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2014

Reviews

[Carol Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent story of the Armstrong family.

It doesn’t matter how true this story is, this is a wonderful story from the very beginning of gold being stowed away and many generations later found by a dirt poor farming family and what they did with this treasure. As in all families some members died along the way but this is a good moral story of good men finding more good and faithful men to built their lives with together, and finding women to build a bigger family.
God and their faith in God played a very strong part in their lives, faithful and honorable men reaping strong family ties and so many family stories of heartache and victory but gaining honor and respect of all they met, including several native Americans teaching and helping along the way.
Thank you Jim Armstrong for telling this wonderful story of faith, family and courage.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting story. It starts in the late 18th century, then moves on two generations, with a secret. Living a difficult life in the bayou in extreme poverty and on the edge of starvation, a young boy takes matters into his own hands, determined to change his life and that of his brothers. This is a different take on the stories of the incredibly courageous people who risked everything to confront unknown dangers on a dangerous journey to build a new life in the west. There is disaster and triumph, tragedy and joy combined in this story. Plus, it is one satisfyingly long book, rather than installments. I enjoyed it and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys adventure and triumph over adversity.

[R G Olson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A potentially good plot poorly written. Three boys lose their parents and find a fortune "when it's time". The problem with this book is that everything happens at the right time. Challenges abound for these intrepid brothers, but at every turn the author takes the easy way out and simply moves on. The dialogue is stilted, elementary (as in a grade schooler might have written it), and is wholly without any genuine attempt to capture distinct regional dialect or context. It has a happy ending but completely unsatisfying; by that point I just didn't care!

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book to read. It reminds me of Jesse James type times or how you would picture it. Imagine traveling to meet family members you've never met, to a place you've never been, with having to gather everything to start your life and you can't just walk in a store and buy it all have it delivered. Loved it. Read Feb 2021.

[kathi Driskell · Rating 5 out of 5]

WIT

What a journey in the life of a family! The Armstrong family knew when it was time to take the plunge and bring to surface the gold coins from an old sunken ship.
Losing their farm to the waters of the swamp turned out very well for a forlorn family living as sharecroppers

Wonderfully written story of a family’s perseverance to continue a good life!

[♏ Gina☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a true story of his ancestors, the author paints a very vivid picture of O.C.'s life, the lives of his children and his indigenous friends, the joys and the sorrows, and a family built on very strong values during the 19th century. It's wonderfully written and the fact that it's true makes it all the more compelling.

[Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great old history

Back in the day, when the foundation of our world was laid, friendship and relationships were laid, race and skin color weren’t a separator, they were only a part of what made a friend a friend.
Thanks for a GREAT story and a wonderful history lesson.

[David Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An encouraging heartwarming story of family, friends and shared hardships. Although it's advertised as "A compelling tale based on a true story..." I highly doubt that. Nevertheless, it is a good story and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

[Beverly Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love every word

This book was very easy to read. It grabbed my attention from the first word until the last. Very well written.

[Sandra Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a good read but makes me glad I didn’t live in those times, danger everywhere

[Mike Root · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story

I enjoyed reading this book from the first page to the last. I felt like I knew all the characters and couldn't wait to find out what happened to them.

[Susie Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story but gruesome in parts

Great characters, fantastic stories to follow. There were gruesome details I didn't care for, but the book kept my interest.

[gwen graves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good

When I started this story, I was wondering why I got this book, but by the time I finished it, I was glad I did.

[Pam Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent story

The characters and circumstances of this book are so very true to life. Not all that happens is good but it is all part of life. With the Lord’s good will it all works for our good and His glory. This book weaves it all together into an excellent story of life and growing up.

[G. Duda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a interesting story. Full of adventure, tragedies and heartbreak, overcoming obstacles, and the strength of spirit to carry on. it was full of the grit of life, some of it not pretty.

I didn't think the writing was the best and found it a little hard to follow sometimes, but still a good story.

[KAY LANG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven't enjoyed a book this much in a very long time. Movie needs to be made from it!

Love this book, very captivating couldn't put it down. I would recommend it to anyone. I would be first in line at the movie.