Bravest of the Brave: Or, with Peterborough in Spain

by G.A. Henty

A character study of Lord Peterborough.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adventure

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1896

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

[Hantz FV · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's kind of like Michel Strogoff. But the year is late 17th to early 18th century. And Jules Verne is a maybe conservative (?) Englishman who thinks the Spanish are savages and the Germans imbeciles. And Michel Strogoff is also English but his adventures are set in the early years of the War of the Spanish succession. A war which involved apparently no Spanish claims to the Spanish throne but a French backed by France and an Austrian backed by England. That war was in a way also a "World War" except that it wasn't industrialized like 1914 and 1939, but it seemed to have spanned the whole of Europe (except for Russia (?) maybe). So really not like Michel Strogoff at all!

A big difference is that all the characters are not poor excuses to illustrate the heroism of the strongman. For Peterborough is a genius but not strong. And although he is the hero and this is his story, the writing makes space for a fully fleshed second protagonist evolving in parallel. Another big difference is there isn't any cartoonish archnemesis like Iván Ogareff. The ones that could play that role are not proper characters, they only come up indirectly in the story.

It was a breeze to read this. Although it is a great man view of history (it probably couldn't be anything else since it's literally the story of a great man...) but the historical background is well depicted. I wonder how much the racism against the 'pig headed' Germans and particularly the 'lot of varmint' Spanish has to do with their retarded development compared to the French and English who ruled Europe at the time. In any case it's fun to notice those aspects of it throughout the story, like how France and England were already united nations but not the Spanish (tbh they still aren't).

Really good (soooo brave and selfless and smart) characters. Good lighthearted, never bitter, storytelling. 9/10, would read G. A. Henty again. One page in this makes me think he'd also be a good smut writer (?) maybe, but definitely has a little of a freak in him.

[T.R. Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this 150 year old book at a yard sale, and paid 1 dollar for it because it intrigued me. Finished Bravest of the Brave over the weekend, a terrific story of a military leader thinking far ahead of his time. The earl of Peterbourgh was brilliant in his pursuit of French forces across Spain, unfortunately as with many great leaders he was hamstringed by men in government and the slow reaction of those men to move when it was time to move with speed and deliberation. I enjoyed this story beyond explanation, Genty's style of writing resembling my own in some ways and especially at the end as he revealed the fate of those primary characters. The story was not dated as I suspected it might be when I first started it. Anyone who enjoys military history will love this 150 year old story.

[Garrett Lampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read

I enjoyed the book very much. I would recommend this book to my friends and family. It did take me a while to read because occasionally I lost interest. This was more likely my fault, not the books.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henty scores again! “The Bravest of the Brave” is an exciting, suspenseful narrative; chock full of history, courage and daring deeds! This book makes the favorite shelf for sure.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual, Henty provides a nice history lesson via the adventures of one of his heroes.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars & 3/10 hearts. This is a fast-paced, somewhat humorous story about a brilliant and magnanimous man. Lord Peterborough had his faults, but he also had his virtues, and overall is an interesting figure and has some very good points. There is a couple conversations on the delights of good wine/drinking and the usual Henty mentions of drinking & smoking. Not my favourite Henty book but overall light-hearted and pleasant. 

*review to be updated*

A Favourite Quote: “‘...as long as the ship floats, the British flag will float over her.’”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘Then so far as you know, Captain Stilwell, the Earl of Peterborough is still at Valencia, and has no intention of leaving that province at present.’
“‘I can say truly, sir, that so far as I know the general had no intention of leaving Valencia; but as his decisions are generally taken instantaneously, and are a surprise to all about him, I should be sorry to assert that the earl remained in Valencia a quarter of an hour after I quitted the city.
“‘It matters little,’ the duke said, ‘the affair is rapidly approaching an end. (...) You agree with me, do you not?’ he asked as Jack remained silent.
“‘Well, sir, it seems that it must be as you say, and I have only to reply that you have not reckoned upon the Earl of Peterborough. What he will do I do not pretend to say, but knowing him as I do, I can say that he will give you trouble. I don’t think that anything can be considered as a certainty in which you have the Earl of Peterborough to reckon with.’”

[Richard Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book full of adventure and excitment. Really liked it all the things about Peterbourgh and how he fooled the French! My favorite part was when he was with the Count. Was a really good book and would recommend.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the more choppy of Henty's works. While still interesting, it wasn't one of the better ones.