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Ishmael #2
Self-Raised
In this suspenseful sequel to Ishmael, you will follow the valiant perseverance of our hero, Ishmael Worth. From the sultry heat of Cuba to the gloomy crags of northern Scotland, Ishmael stands resolute in his commitment to those he loves. Whether he is wrestling with the icy hand of death or carefully mending broken hearts, Ishmael is ever thinking of the welfare of those around him. You can always count on Ishmael to be the rock that others need to help them through the most difficult of trials. When you finally close the book, you will cry out in sorrow that there are no more pages to read on the life of this beloved young man.
374 pages, Leather Bound
First published January 1, 1876
28 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
E.D.E.N. Southworth
205 books104 followersEmma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte (aka "E.D.E.N.") Southworth was an American writer of more than 60 novels in the latter part of the 19th century. She was probably the most widely read author of that era.
Some of her earliest works appeared in The National Era, the newspaper that printed Uncle Tom's Cabin. Like her friend Harriet Beecher Stowe, she was a supporter of social change and women's rights. Her first novel, Retribution, a serial for the National Era, published in book form in 1846, was so well received that she gave up teaching and became a regular contributor to various periodicals, especially the New York Ledger.
Her best known work was The Hidden Hand. Most of her novels deal with the Southern United States during the post-American Civil War era.
Some of her earliest works appeared in The National Era, the newspaper that printed Uncle Tom's Cabin. Like her friend Harriet Beecher Stowe, she was a supporter of social change and women's rights. Her first novel, Retribution, a serial for the National Era, published in book form in 1846, was so well received that she gave up teaching and became a regular contributor to various periodicals, especially the New York Ledger.
Her best known work was The Hidden Hand. Most of her novels deal with the Southern United States during the post-American Civil War era.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
April 26, 2010
This was the sequel to Ishmael, and was equally captivating! I think this one may have contained even more mystery, and Ishmael's unfolding discovery about the difference between childish infatuation and true love was so well portrayed that I felt my own heart aching right along with him. I was sad to see this book come to an end!
January 31, 2022
This was SO thrilling to read!!!! I had a hard time putting it down 😅
April 11, 2018
Upon finishing Ishmael, I was excited to read up on its sequel Self-Raised. However, I was somewhat disappointed, solely because the whole story did not focus on Ishmael, but rather the melodrama of Claudia Merlin. In the first book, Claudia Merlin is the spoiled, selfish heiress who has captured Ishmael's heart, but Claudia who is so intent on money and title could never see lowly Ishmael as her equal.
So Self-Raised, which is toted as the continuation of Ishmael Worth's journey, is actually just the soap opera of Claudia Merlin's actions. Now, the book was good, but I could hardly see it as a sequel to Ishmael Worth. While Ishmael did have his heroic moments, I didn't see any general development to his story. I was hoping for more challenging court cases, his constant fight toward injustice as well as untangling himself from the romantic web he's caught himself in. It doesn't help that Claudia is so very unlikable in the the first book, you find it hard to sympathize with her plight in the sequel.
The story itself is good, but unlike the first book it was more of a Victorian mystery novel that deals with deceitful spouses, murder plots, forbidden love, shipwrecks and the controversial issues of the slave trade in the United States. I wouldn't say the book itself is terrible, but don't go into the story expecting it to be about Ishmael Worth's life.
So Self-Raised, which is toted as the continuation of Ishmael Worth's journey, is actually just the soap opera of Claudia Merlin's actions. Now, the book was good, but I could hardly see it as a sequel to Ishmael Worth. While Ishmael did have his heroic moments, I didn't see any general development to his story. I was hoping for more challenging court cases, his constant fight toward injustice as well as untangling himself from the romantic web he's caught himself in. It doesn't help that Claudia is so very unlikable in the the first book, you find it hard to sympathize with her plight in the sequel.
The story itself is good, but unlike the first book it was more of a Victorian mystery novel that deals with deceitful spouses, murder plots, forbidden love, shipwrecks and the controversial issues of the slave trade in the United States. I wouldn't say the book itself is terrible, but don't go into the story expecting it to be about Ishmael Worth's life.
January 10, 2021
This is the sequel to Ishmael. It is a must read if you read and liked Ishmael (which you should read and like), for the two of them make one whole story. Though they make one story, this book contains much more intrigue (and the first one was not short of it). It reads fast and holds your attention throughout. Ms. Southworth is really an excellent storyteller. The ending of this tale is fantastic. It is difficult to summarize this story without spoilers, so I won't. I will just conclude with this: this is one of those books that makes you a better person for having read it, not least because of the virtue of its hero.
July 20, 2021
A satisfying conclusion to the story of Ishmael Worth and his friends.
((I didn't care for the goulish scene in the middle part, and it's not that essential to the story, although it does add the mystery and intrigue a bit.))
((I didn't care for the goulish scene in the middle part, and it's not that essential to the story, although it does add the mystery and intrigue a bit.))
September 23, 2013
"Self-Raised" is a must-read if you enjoyed the first volume of Ismael's story. Containing much intrigue, suspense, murder, emotional growth, the blossoming of true love, danger at sea, Ishmael Worth continues to mature as a respected lawyer and defender of women. Old secrets are exposed, new relationships established. Definitely a "feel-good" book with satisfying endings which will be enjoyed by many.
November 10, 2008
This is the follow-up novel to Ishmael. There is higher drama, murder, kidnapping and more betrayals to resurface and be dealt with. Where I don't think this novel as just as good as Ishmael, it does give satisfying conclusions and happy endings-- for those that need those-- what were left unresolved from the first novel.
April 13, 2023
Although this sequel is less believable because it has a bunch of crazy things happening, it still is awesome, hard to stop reading, and worth every minute and euro spent. Until the last chapter I was agonizing over who he would choose for a wife. (But don't think that means it was full of romance, it was full of adventures and only a few romantic encounters).
April 30, 2008
"Ishmael" is good, but this book is great. The glowing reviews lived up to their words. Although I found it tedious to wade through all of the strange dialects,the story made it worth the wading. It was a testimoney to God's power and an encouragement to righteousness.
June 2, 2021
It's a beautiful book filled with adventure and suspense, especially this sequel! Kidnappings, travels to Cuba, prison, court trials, unhappy marriages, and new loves. I loved seeing Ishamel grow up and become the person he worked so hard to be, successful and mature. To see the name "Worth" evoke respect and admiration made my heart leap with happiness! Self-Raised is a book of conclusions and completion. Loved it!
October 21, 2025
One of the best books I’ve ever read! WOW! shipwreck, murder mystery, Scottish castle. Amazing sequel to Ishmael.
May 31, 2023
The sequel to Ishmael is truly suspenseful and I found that it was not easy to close the book and rest for a while. This book continued to follow the life of the beloved hero Ishmael, but this novel has more action, suspense, and twists than the first. Though it was more dark at times, and I would not recommend this book for children 😅, I still think it has great moral values in it that changed me still. I really wished there was a third book that followed, as it was sad when I finished with the characters, but I still look back with pleasure on reading the two books, and look forward to picking them up again someday.
January 25, 2009
Wow. Talk about melodrama! True love, false love, no love at all; fortunes, shipwrecks, a castle in Scotland, murder, kidnapping, vile plots, so on and so forth. Thought it all Ishamel remains exemplary in every way, though we actually follow Claudia for a good portion of the book. If you read Ishmael you'll want to read this one just to wrap up the story, but it's not written in my very favorite style.
December 11, 2008
This is the sequal to "Ishmael". I didn't read this one as quickly as the first, but it was still very excting and amazing. Ishmael, who is a young man, comtinues showing love to others by putting them first and displaying selflessness. The ending is a happy one, and it's fun to see how the story comes together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2016
Too Perfect
Self-Raised Or, From the Depths was a pretty good read.
The only thing that continually bothered me was that Ishmale was always, always perfect. He probably only made one mistake throughout the story, but you'll have to friend that in the first book. Other than that it was a nice story.
Self-Raised Or, From the Depths was a pretty good read.
The only thing that continually bothered me was that Ishmale was always, always perfect. He probably only made one mistake throughout the story, but you'll have to friend that in the first book. Other than that it was a nice story.
October 15, 2014
If you read and enjoyed Ishmael, then you will enjoy this as well. Self-raised is the continuation of the characters and it finalizes what Ishmael left open. I enjoyed the mystery that this novel offered that was not present in the first of the pair.
March 20, 2008
This was the sequel to Ishmael and goes into the challenges he faces in adult life. Though the story is excellent, I must say I liked the first slightly better. This is still a must-read though.
December 30, 2015
After I read Ishmael, I didn't even wait to read this. I have an old complete version and loved every moment of it!
July 28, 2013
Continuation of Ishmael. Viscount tries to discredit Claudia and divorce her to retain sole possession of her fortune and marry his widowed sister-in-law.
February 11, 2015
A wonderful conclusion to the story that began in Ishmael. I LOVE the ending!
January 18, 2016
The sequel to "Ishmael," Ishmael Worth's rise to fame is a story for the ages. His humility is one I will strive to represent for the rest of my life.
March 3, 2016
Great book
A book worth reading. Nothing offensive to read. Love the rich vocabulary. A worthy hero is Ishmael. Great heroines in the Countess and Bee.
A book worth reading. Nothing offensive to read. Love the rich vocabulary. A worthy hero is Ishmael. Great heroines in the Countess and Bee.
June 29, 2012
happy ending
April 25, 2021
(Spoiler free) My rating is more like 4.5 stars because this really is a good book, but I felt a little disconnected by the plot focusing more on certain characters rather than the main character. There were some slow parts that dragged a little as well, but overall it did a great job of exploring character development and consequences to actions. The beginning and end were the most intriguing to me, as they focused on developments of the main character’s life, but I definitely enjoyed most of the exploration of the other characters’ plot lines. It’s a good book, but I still prefer the first book Ishmael.
(Spoiler ramblings) All the Viscount Vincent and Claudia scenes were important and intriguing, but they went on for so long, and I wish we had seen more of Ishmael throughout the book to even it out. I definitely think the jail scenes with Vincent and Faustia went on way too long for their purpose. But I loved any and all of Ishmael and Herman’s scenes together, and I LOVE how Ishmael as Nora’s son brought Herman and Berenice together with joy instead of resenting their relationship. I felt that Ishmael’s romantic love for Bee developed kinda suddenly, and the fact that it happened right after he lost Claudia made it hard for me to trust his commitment to Bee. But thankfully he proved himself true, and I’m glad Claudia got a happy ending even though she suffered consequences for her actions. And call me crazy, but I still don’t see the harm in publicly acknowledging Ishmael as Herman’s son as long as the full story is explained about how Herman and Nora both believed Herman to be unattached. I don’t see how that would disgrace either of them if it was fully explained. But I still respect Ishmael to sticking to his mother’s name and making it a proud and honorable one. He’s truly the best. ❤️
(Spoiler ramblings) All the Viscount Vincent and Claudia scenes were important and intriguing, but they went on for so long, and I wish we had seen more of Ishmael throughout the book to even it out. I definitely think the jail scenes with Vincent and Faustia went on way too long for their purpose. But I loved any and all of Ishmael and Herman’s scenes together, and I LOVE how Ishmael as Nora’s son brought Herman and Berenice together with joy instead of resenting their relationship. I felt that Ishmael’s romantic love for Bee developed kinda suddenly, and the fact that it happened right after he lost Claudia made it hard for me to trust his commitment to Bee. But thankfully he proved himself true, and I’m glad Claudia got a happy ending even though she suffered consequences for her actions. And call me crazy, but I still don’t see the harm in publicly acknowledging Ishmael as Herman’s son as long as the full story is explained about how Herman and Nora both believed Herman to be unattached. I don’t see how that would disgrace either of them if it was fully explained. But I still respect Ishmael to sticking to his mother’s name and making it a proud and honorable one. He’s truly the best. ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2022
I was between thee and four stars for the first one but but opted for four, this was most definitly not a four. My problem, in the first one, was that Ishmael was a bit too pefect. This one is on a whole new level, now he has morphed into a superhero. Somehow he manages to self-train himself to be a lawyer and from his first couple of cases, which of curse the does for nothing because a superhero cannot be seen to take money, he turns out to be the best lawyer in the history of man. He then goes on to try to sacrifice his own life in saving every body on a sinking ship before single-handly lifting the ship to safety (slight exaggeration there). He then goes into the marriage counseling before becoming a goverment minister.
Then we have the ridiculous coincidences. We need to get rid of three black people, brilliant there is a ship sat outside the walls sailing tonight that will illegally take them across the ocean to some island. Then following our ship wreck we end up meeting said kidmapped persons in the street on that island.
The story actually split for large parts of it and the story line around Claudia was excellent. The implosion in the prison was very good and really funny in places.
I just had to skim through some of Ishmael "good deeds" as they were just so cringe worthy.
Worth reading to complete Ishmael's story, but I think I will be keeping well away from Mrs Southworh in future.
Then we have the ridiculous coincidences. We need to get rid of three black people, brilliant there is a ship sat outside the walls sailing tonight that will illegally take them across the ocean to some island. Then following our ship wreck we end up meeting said kidmapped persons in the street on that island.
The story actually split for large parts of it and the story line around Claudia was excellent. The implosion in the prison was very good and really funny in places.
I just had to skim through some of Ishmael "good deeds" as they were just so cringe worthy.
Worth reading to complete Ishmael's story, but I think I will be keeping well away from Mrs Southworh in future.
July 3, 2025
For the first time in probably years, I finally read a book that I could not put down. And this was that book.
*******MY THOUGHTS*******
This book felt very different to its prequel Ishmael . In a way, it felt more thrilling, more mysterious. It still had an inspiring, thought-provoking message, but that aspect felt much more underlying in this book. But I LOVED the crime and mystery aspects, and it had me on the edge of my seat for the WHOLE book. I could not put it down.I was constantly so excited to see what new mystery or controversy would arise and how the characters would overcome. There was a small point in the book where I didn't feel that way, but it didn't last long.
I loved all of the characters once again. Ishmael and Bee's romance was sweet, and Lord Vincent and Faustina were very well-written villains. Also, I LOVED Berenice!! She was awesome! I love that we got to explore her situation and the controversy around her more in this book.
Overall, both of these books were amazing. I highly recommend them both.
*******MY THOUGHTS*******
This book felt very different to its prequel Ishmael . In a way, it felt more thrilling, more mysterious. It still had an inspiring, thought-provoking message, but that aspect felt much more underlying in this book. But I LOVED the crime and mystery aspects, and it had me on the edge of my seat for the WHOLE book. I could not put it down.I was constantly so excited to see what new mystery or controversy would arise and how the characters would overcome. There was a small point in the book where I didn't feel that way, but it didn't last long.
I loved all of the characters once again. Ishmael and Bee's romance was sweet, and Lord Vincent and Faustina were very well-written villains. Also, I LOVED Berenice!! She was awesome! I love that we got to explore her situation and the controversy around her more in this book.
Overall, both of these books were amazing. I highly recommend them both.
July 8, 2019
"But, in everyone even the most reserved, confide in Ishmael Worth."
"You may have cast her into the sea, but the sea sometimes casts back it's dead."
"Professor, if at your age I should have such a fresh, young, evergreen heart, and with such an aspiring spirit, I shall think the Lord has blessed me."
The conclusion to Ishmael, and even though it took me a long time to read (I blame my junior year of highschool) it is a fantastic novel.
It details how Claudia's marriage worked out, and how Ishmael's law firm ended up. Honestly, when I had time to sit down and read it, I didn't want to put it down.
Please, please, please, please read this book series.
June 3, 2020
A completely different story than the first. you must read "Ishmael" first. I disliked the crude references to the black characters - which were not taken by the heroes, but the villains of the story. I understand there is a cultural context. I read it off Amazon Kindle for free, but Lamplighter may have published a version where all the n***** words taken out. and maybe a little less characters doing their "toilet." If you can look past that, and take it with some historical forbearance, the storyline is filled with twists, suspense, and reaping what was sown. It was hard to put down.
July 12, 2020
I liked this story overall, except for a dumb ghost(ish) scene that was entirely irrelevant and unneeded to the story. I'm not fond of the use of ghosts etc. in what I read, so that part kinda put a damper on my enjoyment of the book. Otherwise the story of Ismael Worth is inspiring and encouraging.
July 25, 2025
Not nearly as impressive as the first book Ishmael (in my opinion); however, I absolutely had to read this sequel after falling in love with the first book. Ishmael seemed to miss a lot of important obvious pieces pointing him to Bea, and why he was so obsessed with Claudia is still a wonder to me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews