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The Perilous Road
Chris Brabson hated the Union troops—and he had his reasons. Yankee raiders in the Tennessee mountains had stolen the newly harvested crops, all the meat supply laid by for the winter, and the Brabsons’ only horse. A Union soldier had even taken Chris’s deerskin shirt—the one for which he’d tanned and cured the hides so carefully—before he’d had a chance to wear it. Chris could not understand how his brother could have joined the Northern Army or how his mother and father, despite their abhorrence of war and its destruction, could fail to take sides. But one thing he did know—he would fight for the Confederacy.
Swept on by his burning hatred, Chris reports the presence of a Yankee supply train coming up the valley. Only when he learns his brothers is probably in that troop does the full meaning of his act strike him. Caught in the bitter battle at dawn, when the Confederates make a surprise attack, Chris comes to realize the full meaning of his father’s words:”A man can believe the Union ought to stay in one piece and still be a good decent man that do’t deserve to be killed. Or a body can favor secession and the Confederacy if that’s the way he feels about it. Like I told you before, war is the worst thing that can happen to folks, and the reason is it makes most everybody do things they shouldn’t.”
William O. Steele, one of the finest writers of books for young people today, combines a deep sense of human values with rare storytelling skill in a compelling book that carries the reader without pause to the very end. The Perilous Road is not only a stirring story of the War between the States, but a superb portrayal of the difficult and dangerous path one boy must follow before he learns the senseless waste of war and the true meaning of courage and tolerance.
Swept on by his burning hatred, Chris reports the presence of a Yankee supply train coming up the valley. Only when he learns his brothers is probably in that troop does the full meaning of his act strike him. Caught in the bitter battle at dawn, when the Confederates make a surprise attack, Chris comes to realize the full meaning of his father’s words:”A man can believe the Union ought to stay in one piece and still be a good decent man that do’t deserve to be killed. Or a body can favor secession and the Confederacy if that’s the way he feels about it. Like I told you before, war is the worst thing that can happen to folks, and the reason is it makes most everybody do things they shouldn’t.”
William O. Steele, one of the finest writers of books for young people today, combines a deep sense of human values with rare storytelling skill in a compelling book that carries the reader without pause to the very end. The Perilous Road is not only a stirring story of the War between the States, but a superb portrayal of the difficult and dangerous path one boy must follow before he learns the senseless waste of war and the true meaning of courage and tolerance.
191 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1958
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
April 17, 2018
Talk about a reading experience of the way things used to be. The writing, the spelling...all from the older days.
Chris Brabson and his family are Southerners during the Civil War. They live in TN, close to Chattanooga, and just like any good little hard working family, they mind their own business and try to make a living with their little farm.
Chris has his opinions about the Union Army, and it is not a very high one. When his brother joins this army and Chris witnesses them taking supplies from the local farmers and his own parents, he is livid. He can't understand how his father seems to not do anything about it. How he isn't upset about his son having joined the Union soldiers and not the Rebels.
Chris tries to take things in his own hands to show he is a real Rebel. He devises a plan that not only puts him and others in danger, hence 'The Perilous Road', but becomes so tangled up that a good turn by a Unions soldier could change things forever unexpectedly.
***
I am not certain children will enjoy reading this book nowadays. It reads like required reading. Old text. BUT...the message is valid. Chris's feelings are relatable and blown out of proportions in part to make his point. His growth from immature to understanding the world a little better is a working process that kids can relate to, to understand the moral of this story.
There were some tense moments to hook onto for the reader, but in all I am glad I am through with it. The strange thing though is, even if you don't like a book or it felt like required reading, it's the one that sticks with you. If for no other reason than the book you tell everyone about, you didn't like.
Chris Brabson and his family are Southerners during the Civil War. They live in TN, close to Chattanooga, and just like any good little hard working family, they mind their own business and try to make a living with their little farm.
Chris has his opinions about the Union Army, and it is not a very high one. When his brother joins this army and Chris witnesses them taking supplies from the local farmers and his own parents, he is livid. He can't understand how his father seems to not do anything about it. How he isn't upset about his son having joined the Union soldiers and not the Rebels.
Chris tries to take things in his own hands to show he is a real Rebel. He devises a plan that not only puts him and others in danger, hence 'The Perilous Road', but becomes so tangled up that a good turn by a Unions soldier could change things forever unexpectedly.
***
I am not certain children will enjoy reading this book nowadays. It reads like required reading. Old text. BUT...the message is valid. Chris's feelings are relatable and blown out of proportions in part to make his point. His growth from immature to understanding the world a little better is a working process that kids can relate to, to understand the moral of this story.
There were some tense moments to hook onto for the reader, but in all I am glad I am through with it. The strange thing though is, even if you don't like a book or it felt like required reading, it's the one that sticks with you. If for no other reason than the book you tell everyone about, you didn't like.
March 17, 2019
Read for a Newbery discussion, not normally a book I'd read, but I felt guilted into picking it up because I'd skipped *Rifles for Watie.* It was quick and interesting. There was one scene of battle that was pretty darn graphic. Lots of well-researched history of how farmers worked, how farm-wives cooked, etc. Above the educational value and themes, it was also an exciting story, and even a bit humorous in points. I actually do recommend this to boys and girls of all ages.
January 19, 2016
Another read to the kids aloud for their history curriculum. I thought this was a good book. It did a good job of showing the many facets of war, sides, me right, you wrong, etc. It gets pretty graphic in the second to last chapter, but I think it was done well. Even a good read for grown ups who swear up and down their views are the right ones. A good reminder people are good and have good intentions on both sides of the fence. Well, mostly. I don't actually think every human always has good intentions....lol...but it was a good read for kids about the civil war and introducing ideas that everyone thinks they are right, and it becomes really difficult when we start killing each other over it.
April 23, 2025
Audible listen with the family. The ending got pretty intense and we had some comments from the kids. Great, kid-friendly book about the American civil war.
March 20, 2020
I wasn't a huge fan of the story, though I do see how the book could be used to see how hatred looks and acts. It's not a pretty picture.
Chris Brabson is full of loathing for the Union Army - all because they stole his shirt. That's how it began, but now he has a pile of other things (some legit and others not) that are causing his feelings to fester and boil, and the reader sees all of this for the majority of the book. It's not until Chris's older brother decides to join the Union Army and Chris realizes the incredibly impacting consequences of his action, that he starts repenting of his unchecked heart.
Ages: 12+
Cleanliness: Mentions men smoking and drinking. The main character is full of hatred that is unchecked for the majority of the book before he changes.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
Chris Brabson is full of loathing for the Union Army - all because they stole his shirt. That's how it began, but now he has a pile of other things (some legit and others not) that are causing his feelings to fester and boil, and the reader sees all of this for the majority of the book. It's not until Chris's older brother decides to join the Union Army and Chris realizes the incredibly impacting consequences of his action, that he starts repenting of his unchecked heart.
Ages: 12+
Cleanliness: Mentions men smoking and drinking. The main character is full of hatred that is unchecked for the majority of the book before he changes.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! You’ll see my updates as I’m reading and know which books I’m liking and what I’m not finishing and why. You’ll also be able to utilize my library for looking up titles to see whether the book you’re thinking about reading next has any objectionable content or not. From swear words, to romance, to bad attitudes (in children’s books), I cover it all!
August 16, 2016
Well done historical novel that introduces the complexities of the American Civil War to younger readers. Plenty of action and a protagonist full of youthful spirit.
September 26, 2022
A very quick and enjoyable listen on audio. I was concerned when I began the book due to it's age and setting that racism would often rear it's head. This was not the case. There is one instance near the beginning when outdated language is used to describe Native Americans, however there were no instances of this happening with African Americans.
The book takes place in the South during the American Civil War. Chris is torn between family who are Unionists and neighbors and friends who are Rebels. He has to face his beliefs and find his loyalties. Chris has an angry teen attitude that was off putting, but I found it to also be true to a fourteen year old. I would not hesitate to give this to kids today after talking about the history of language used to refer to Native Americans by white settlers. I think boys who like descriptions of war and historical fiction would especially enjoy this.
Newbery Honor - 1959
The book takes place in the South during the American Civil War. Chris is torn between family who are Unionists and neighbors and friends who are Rebels. He has to face his beliefs and find his loyalties. Chris has an angry teen attitude that was off putting, but I found it to also be true to a fourteen year old. I would not hesitate to give this to kids today after talking about the history of language used to refer to Native Americans by white settlers. I think boys who like descriptions of war and historical fiction would especially enjoy this.
Newbery Honor - 1959
January 4, 2022
I picked this one from the sale shelves of our local library because the author's name rang a bell. Turns out that Mr. Steele was a well-known author of young people's adventures from back in the day and the author of the first real novel I ever read("Winter Danger"). So, I thought I'd give this one a go as it's not super long. That first one(hardbound) has held up well in my memory. This is a paperback and in good shape considering it goes back to 1958. So far so good a few pages in. A Newberry Award winner BITD.
- In the summer of 1973, while doing archaeological field work down in Mesa Verde I ran afoul of many a Service Berry bush. In this book it's called Sarvis Berry.
Finished a few days ago with an extended encounter with the nasty reality of warfare. Surprisingly violent for a Y/A book, I thought. Reminded me of "The Red Badge of Courage."
- In the summer of 1973, while doing archaeological field work down in Mesa Verde I ran afoul of many a Service Berry bush. In this book it's called Sarvis Berry.
Finished a few days ago with an extended encounter with the nasty reality of warfare. Surprisingly violent for a Y/A book, I thought. Reminded me of "The Red Badge of Courage."
January 16, 2015
Read the full review on my blog: http://newberyandbeyond.com/newbery-r...
It’s a somewhat simplistic story: a young boy hates the Northern army but soon discovers that most of them are just like him and his family–hungry, cold, and wanting to go home and stop all this fighting. But it works. This book captures the feeling of being a kid, old enough to form strong opinions, but too young to see others’ perspectives. The Southern accent portrayed in the dialogue is also spot on–and I usually hate written accents! It’s not my favorite Newbery book, but it is certainly enjoyable. Take a look if you or your kids are into Civil War-era literature.
It’s a somewhat simplistic story: a young boy hates the Northern army but soon discovers that most of them are just like him and his family–hungry, cold, and wanting to go home and stop all this fighting. But it works. This book captures the feeling of being a kid, old enough to form strong opinions, but too young to see others’ perspectives. The Southern accent portrayed in the dialogue is also spot on–and I usually hate written accents! It’s not my favorite Newbery book, but it is certainly enjoyable. Take a look if you or your kids are into Civil War-era literature.
May 13, 2009
Chris is a confederate through and through. He discovers that war is more than a battle of ideas when he reports a vanguard of Yankees moving through the woods near his Tennessee home and finds that his brother is part of the Yankee troop. In his attempt to warn his brother, Chris meets the dreaded Yankees soldiers and learns how much all men have in common. Published in 1958 a recommend JF classic.
July 6, 2017
I would give this 100 stars if I could.
July 8, 2018
Excellent story about a young boy who learns that war—especially a civil war—causes men to make terrible choices. This reminded me of Rifles for Watie, but it is fitting for a younger audience.
February 1, 2020
Warning: this book comes with an “introduction” by Jean Fritz that tells a bunch of the plot. I do t know why they put it at the start of the book. Otherwise I thought it was good.
March 10, 2022
This is a sad but good book. From what I learned about the Civil War this is a normal thing for families to split apart like this. What I also like about this book is how it reminds people of how terrible war can be. It can split families apart, kill millions, and more. William O. Steele does a good job at capturing the struggles of these things.
One thing that gets me is how, based on this book, many families are torn apart. This is sad because it hurts a lot of relationships with families. William O. Steele through this book shows how this can be a terrible thing to go through. All in all, wars of any kind can do terrible things to families. But what I like about books like this one is how no matter how much it looks like someone hates another person, they always deep down love them
One thing that gets me is how, based on this book, many families are torn apart. This is sad because it hurts a lot of relationships with families. William O. Steele through this book shows how this can be a terrible thing to go through. All in all, wars of any kind can do terrible things to families. But what I like about books like this one is how no matter how much it looks like someone hates another person, they always deep down love them
September 19, 2021
This book was decent, and I think if I had not read Across Five Aprils just before it, I might have rated it higher. It shares the goal of demonstrating the horrors of war, and the complexities involved in following one’s conscience. It was written from the perspective of an 11 year old boy and so, true to his character, the language and imagery is simple, which made it a less enjoyable read for both myself and my 13 year old son. I think the biggest factor in shaping our opinions was that he was very hard to sympathize with for the majority of the novel.
I’d recommend this, but only in addition to, not in place of, Across Five Aprils.
I’d recommend this, but only in addition to, not in place of, Across Five Aprils.
March 8, 2021
Chris is a young boy living in the Tennessee mountains during the Civil War. He HATES the Yankees. They come and steal all of his family’s food supply, horse, and, worst of all, his hand-made leather hunting shirt. He HATES them and plots revenge. This is a touching, well-written story about how his heart changes when he realizes the Yankees are just boys, too: scared, hungry, cold, and longing for home. It is a Newberry Honor Award winner. The audible version is very well done.
June 7, 2022
Written in 1958. Good youth book about the Civil War written in a different era.
February 10, 2017
Personal review
I really like the time period in the book because it is in the past. I love that it talks about the civil war and how it describes what happened to like southerners who supported the north.
Summary
Chris hates the north because they keep stealing food from everyone in the south. He finds out that they stole all the food from his house also so he decides to ambush the small amount of northern people there with Silas. Chris gets chased by men on horse back. He finds a cliff to hang off of to hide. He slips and is only holding on by a thread. He hears somebody whistling after the cavalrymen leave. He recognizes it to be his brother and he calls out for help. His brother hauls him up onto ground again and Chris tells Jethro everything. Jethro tells Chris he is going to go join the northern army. Chris is angry at his brother and he runs home. He tells his parents what Jethro is doing, and they're fine with it because he is big enough to make his own decisions. Chris is mad about this so he decides to go hunting for the day. When he gets back his neighbors are there asking for there equipment back. Chris try's to prove that he loves the south by letting all the mules lose that the north took from everybody. His friend still doesn't believe him and they burn down the Brabsons shed. Chris wants to get back at them and thinks that Silas is a spy for the south. So he tells Silas where a wagon train is at. Silas pretends to run out of the house to go tell the news. Then he hears his brother is in that wagon train so he goes to tell his brother whats going to happen. He doesn't find his brother and ends up falling asleep in there camp and they put him in one of there wagons. He wakes up to guns shooting and he sees the wagon train is getting attacked. He gets off the battlefield and finds out that his mom and dad were looking for him all night. Chris tells his dad everything and about Silas. But Silas never left his house and Chris learned the Southern army was already heading that way anyway.
Characters
Chris is eleven years old and he loves the south at the beginning of the book. In the end of the book Chris hates war and realizes the south is just like the north and they both have nice people in them.
Recommendation
I recommend this book to people who love story in the past. The author explains it really well. I also recomend this book to teenagers because it is pretty easy to read.
I really like the time period in the book because it is in the past. I love that it talks about the civil war and how it describes what happened to like southerners who supported the north.
Summary
Chris hates the north because they keep stealing food from everyone in the south. He finds out that they stole all the food from his house also so he decides to ambush the small amount of northern people there with Silas. Chris gets chased by men on horse back. He finds a cliff to hang off of to hide. He slips and is only holding on by a thread. He hears somebody whistling after the cavalrymen leave. He recognizes it to be his brother and he calls out for help. His brother hauls him up onto ground again and Chris tells Jethro everything. Jethro tells Chris he is going to go join the northern army. Chris is angry at his brother and he runs home. He tells his parents what Jethro is doing, and they're fine with it because he is big enough to make his own decisions. Chris is mad about this so he decides to go hunting for the day. When he gets back his neighbors are there asking for there equipment back. Chris try's to prove that he loves the south by letting all the mules lose that the north took from everybody. His friend still doesn't believe him and they burn down the Brabsons shed. Chris wants to get back at them and thinks that Silas is a spy for the south. So he tells Silas where a wagon train is at. Silas pretends to run out of the house to go tell the news. Then he hears his brother is in that wagon train so he goes to tell his brother whats going to happen. He doesn't find his brother and ends up falling asleep in there camp and they put him in one of there wagons. He wakes up to guns shooting and he sees the wagon train is getting attacked. He gets off the battlefield and finds out that his mom and dad were looking for him all night. Chris tells his dad everything and about Silas. But Silas never left his house and Chris learned the Southern army was already heading that way anyway.
Characters
Chris is eleven years old and he loves the south at the beginning of the book. In the end of the book Chris hates war and realizes the south is just like the north and they both have nice people in them.
Recommendation
I recommend this book to people who love story in the past. The author explains it really well. I also recomend this book to teenagers because it is pretty easy to read.
February 2, 2017
I read this historical fiction novel aloud to my children, which won the 1959 Newbery Honor Award.
The story takes place in the 1860s in Chattanooga, Tennessee during the time of the American Civil War. Chris Brabson is ten years old, and he is horrified when his older brother, Jethro, decides to join the Union Army. Chris hates the Yankees for taking their food supplies and livestock and he rebels a bit himself by setting the mules and horses free to try to make it harder for the Yanks. Some of the neighbours show their hatred for the Yankees and take their anger out on the Brabson family because they feel betrayed by Jethro, and they set fire to the Brabson’s barn.
My children and I really enjoyed this story. It gave us a feel for what it was like for folks in this turbulent time period, when the country's own people turned against one another. There is bit of a lesson to be learned here as well for Chris, and he finds out in the end that the Yankees are just like everybody else: They hurt, they bleed, and they aren’t all bad.
This review was posted on my book blog:
http://darlenesbooknook.blogspot.ca/2...
The story takes place in the 1860s in Chattanooga, Tennessee during the time of the American Civil War. Chris Brabson is ten years old, and he is horrified when his older brother, Jethro, decides to join the Union Army. Chris hates the Yankees for taking their food supplies and livestock and he rebels a bit himself by setting the mules and horses free to try to make it harder for the Yanks. Some of the neighbours show their hatred for the Yankees and take their anger out on the Brabson family because they feel betrayed by Jethro, and they set fire to the Brabson’s barn.
My children and I really enjoyed this story. It gave us a feel for what it was like for folks in this turbulent time period, when the country's own people turned against one another. There is bit of a lesson to be learned here as well for Chris, and he finds out in the end that the Yankees are just like everybody else: They hurt, they bleed, and they aren’t all bad.
This review was posted on my book blog:
http://darlenesbooknook.blogspot.ca/2...
March 29, 2013
Captures the conflicts of a civil war beautifully. 11-year old Tennesseean Chris resents Yankee pilfering of the food he's worked so hard to grow and gather; when his older brother joins the Union army, Chris is angry and ashamed. His efforts to get back at the Yankees bring him to a full experience of the horrors of war, and of the humanity of both sides. And has he caused his brother's death? In a relatively short book, over the course of a few days, Steele states his case: war makes people do things they shouldn't. Vivid and suspenseful, an approachable classic for fans of Hatchet and Woods Runner. NB chapter 13 battle is briefly graphic.
August 12, 2015
Well written, close look through the eyes of a tween during the Civil War. He wants to prove himself, gets led astray by an older friend, sees the hatred of his neighbors and regrets it when he thinks he causes a raid against those he has come to know as the enemy. Illustrates the complexities and tragedy of war, hatred and the desire to do what's right all while easily understood by those 10 years old and up (caution for those on the young side, as it is about war and has a desire to kill others talked about frequently) Reading Mr. Steele's books is always a lovely break from other types of books, uncomplicated yet call up deep feelings and reflection on the subject matter.
December 25, 2016
A great coming-of-age story for young people about 14-year-old Chris Brabson from Tennessee who, in 1863, after watching Union soldiers take his family's horse and crops, finds himself hating the Yankees. Things become even more confusing when his own beloved brother decides to join the Union army. Jethro, his hatred festering, decides to take revenge on the Yankees and become a spy for the Confederates. When he discovers that his own brother might be in the wagon train that the Confederates are about to attack, he is devastated and must try to save him. Soon he discovers that the Yankee soldiers aren't much different from himself and that war isn't as simple as he once thought.
May 31, 2017
I read and listened to this book concurrently and the narrator did a great job with the small part that I actually listened to, as I ended up reading most of it. The story is very good and a powerful story for young people to read. It involves a teen boy near Franklin, Tennessee who hates the Yankees, then finds they are just regular folks when forced into close proximity with several soldiers. His hate turns to confusion and then understanding. It has the moral that war is not the way to solve problems between people and shows that civilians suffer when war progresses. Very good story, told well.
May 11, 2016
Well, it was okay. It is about a boy in the hills of Tennessee during the Civil War. He hates the Yankees, and he hates how they stole all their food and their horse and how his brother went to join their army and how they ruined everything.
Anyway, the boy tries to do what he can to fight the Yanks, and he is lucky to have survived all of the things he tried. What he does learn though is that there are both good people and bad people on both sides of the conflict.
Anyway, the boy tries to do what he can to fight the Yanks, and he is lucky to have survived all of the things he tried. What he does learn though is that there are both good people and bad people on both sides of the conflict.
July 30, 2013
A potent tale of a Confederate young man who quickly realizes how human the Union enemy is. This story both describes the loss and depletion the Southern residents endured as the Northern troops scavenged through their farmlands as well as the depravity the Union soldiers experienced as supplies ran seriously low. A commendable book detailing an honest perception of the effects of the Civil War.
October 14, 2013
The book 'The Perilous Road' was an okay book. Like I thought it was good it's just they made it to short and was a bad ending. The book in the beginning and middle. Some of the description made feel like you were there. Also it gave you what people felt for the Civil War. It also described what hardships the citizens went through. So if you like history, the Civil War, or if you just like action pack adventures then this would be good.
July 8, 2018
Excellent Civil War fiction for elementary school age kids. My mom got this for me in perhaps fourth grade and I remembered it fondly. Just reread it for the first time since then and really appreciate the complex, ambivalent, difficult presentation of the war—presented in an age-appropriate way. Starts off a mite slow and the dialect may be difficult for modern readers, even those of us from Appalachia, but worth your while.
January 1, 2018
I read this book with my boys as part of our study of the Civil War. They enjoyed the action in the story. We had great discussions about the big changes in the attitudes/prejudices of the main character, a bitter Southern tween boy. The book was well-written with rich vocabulary and dialog that didn't go over their heads. They gave it 4 stars.
April 21, 2018
This is a good children's book about the Civil War. Chris, age 14, knows he hates the Yankees, and he keeps thinking of ways to help the Confederates. However, in the end, he finds that both sides are made up of good and bad men, and that you need to be careful who you trust.
This is a Newbery Honor Book.
This is a Newbery Honor Book.
July 1, 2018
Chris doesn't understand why his brother would fight for the Union, especially after Union soldiers took their only horse and the food they'd put back to get through the coming winter. He vows revenge, but when he is trapped in the middle of a fire-fight, he sees there is more to the conflict and the soldiers involved than just Union vs. Confederate.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews