Lightning Time: A Novel

by Douglas Rees

As the plan to attack Harper's Ferry and free the slaves appears to become more of a suicide mission, Theodore Worth reflects on his two-year journey from Quaker son and dutiful Boston schoolboy to his role as one of John Brown's "Invisibles."

Genres: Historical Fiction

166 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 1997

About the author

I was born on October 19th, 1947 in the hospital at March Air Force Base just outside Riverside, California. My father, Norman, was a career sergeant who'd served as an aircraft mechanic and infantryman in the Philippines campaign early in the war and was taken prisoner on Bataan. My mother, Agnes, was a nurse at the hospital where he was sent to recuperate after the war was over.

Until I was fifteen, I lived on or near a number of Air Force bases in this country and in Germany. My sister, Patricia, was born in 1950 at Travis AFB.

Until I was six, I wanted to be a fireman. Between six and twelve, I wanted to be a paleontologist. When I was twelve, I decided I wanted to be a writer. I still haven't outgrown that.

I made some occasional stabs at writing and submitting manuscripts in my twenties and thirties. When I turned forty-seven, I decided to start writing things more regularly. I've been doing so ever since.

Reviews

[Trent Beaudrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the Book Lightning Time by Douglas rees a boy named Theodore finally realises how bad slavery is and that it is truly wrong. He realizes that to stop slavery there may have to be war. Even if it does mean that he may have to disobey his parents and leave his home with only his typewriter. So with his friend John Brown and a company of other men they all decide to make battle plans to attack the southern part of kansas to make it a northern state. I would recommend this book because it was based on a true story although it may not have a lot of information about the civil war in general. If you are a person that has a very high standards with your book you may not like this one because most of the time the main character is in one place training for the battle over and over again. Also just to let you know Theodore Worth was not a real character, he was fictional just to create the story, Everyone else was real (literally).

[Miss Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

gr 6-8 161pgs

1857, Concord, MA. When his family hides abolitionist John Brown, 14 year old Theodore is fascinated by him. Against his parents wishes, Theodore runs away from home to join John Brown as they plan the attack on Harper's Ferry.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical novel about John Brown.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another look at John Brown and the raid at Harper's Ferry. This is done from the perspective of a young Quaker who joins John Brown.