How I Filmed the War

By Geoffrey H. Malins

Rating:  6 out of 10 stars

    This book is an account of an early cinematographer’s experiences as he filmed important action in World War I.  Malins was the official cinematographer for the British government, and he describes life in the trenches, the spirit of the soldiers, especially the British troops, and various other experiences, such as filming from an early airplane over German lines, the visit of the King of England, and the action of the first tanks.  He shows the horrible conditions the men fought and lived under, and the devastated condition of the country as it was left behind the German troops.

    The early process of “making a film” was also described, and is interesting to read.  This was back in the days of silent films; in other words, motion pictures with no sound; and the film was literally cut into pieces for editing.

My Thoughts:

    How I Filmed the War is a true and realistic account of life on the front lines during WWI, but it is certainly not a book everyone should read.  While it is important to know history, and the sacrifices which were made so that we can be free, as a nation, reading a somewhat detailed account of these hardships and sacrifices can be too much for some people.  For my own part, what bothered me most about the book was the callousness of many of the soldiers to taking human life.  The jokes of the snipers when they “got their man” are a disgusting look at our fallen nature, and are all the sadder because they are true words spoken in a non-fiction work, and not merely invented from general stories of the war.  There is also some very questionable language in it, and more is implied than is written.

    Malins also is not writing from a Christian perspective, and somewhat pardonably, views the British as the saviors of the world, as they forced back the German invasion of France.

    So, while this book does have a great deal of educational value, as an eyewitness account of one of the worst wars in the history of man, it most certainly has some serious drawbacks, and discretion will be needed in discerning if it should be read, and who should read it.

Links:

Librivox:  How I Filmed the War

Gutenberg:  How I Filmed the War

The Man-Eaters of Tsavo, and Other East African Adventures

By Col. John Henry Patterson

Rating:  7 out of 10 stars

The Man-Eaters of Tsavo may seem like a rather strange name, but it is speaking of two famous man-eating lions which terrorized the camp of East African railroad builders, and actually brought the Government managed project to a complete halt for three weeks.  These two male maneless lions were relentless in their hunt for human prey, and killed “twenty-eight Indian coolies, besides scores of unfortunate natives of whom no official record was kept”.

Book Review: Prisoners of the Sea, by Florence Morse Kingsley

Prisoners of the Sea

By Florence Kingsley

Rating:  6 out of 10 stars

   Prisoners of the Sea is set during the reign of Louis XIV, when the Catholic persecution of Huguenots (French protestants) was at its height.  To be a Huguenot meant to be convicted of treason, lose your property, and be sent to the galleys, a virtual death sentence.  In the midst of this turmoil, a mother and daughter flee the country, endeavoring to make their way to America.  But their ship sinks, and when the story opens, they are adrift in a small boat with three companions, two sailors and the black cook.  Their boat is leaking fast, and they are far out of the track of ships.  The prospect looks bleak, but just in the nick of time, they find a deserted yacht and soon after, reach harbor on a small island.  Mystery gathers thicker as they discover a deserted chateau, furnished, full of provisions, and apparently left hastily by the owners.  Henri Baillot, the French sailor who is leading the little party, and his companions are puzzled by the peaceful, but depopulated island.  However, they decide to make the best of their situation, and settle down to a peaceful life to wait for a ship.

Why Christians and Home-schoolers Should Not Read Fantasy- Pt. 1 (Summary)

What we read is very important, especially for children in their formative years. As Christians, we should be seeking the Lord and following Scriptural principles in our choice of literature. It has been on my heart for some time to write this article, but I kept putting it off until two weeks ago, when I listened to a Christian home-school podcast which was discussing fantasy, and speaking of its importance in a child's learning. I believe that the reading (and watching) of fantasy has had a very negative impact on our society, and that it is not a fitting genre for any Christian to read. I know this statement may seem a bit shocking, since fantasy has been widely accepted in Christian circles for quite a few years now. Because of this, I realize that many sincere Christians read and watch fantasy books and movies without ever realizing how damaging they can be. But for those of us who want to follow the Lord wherever He leads, we should be willing to sacrifice anything that hinders our relationship with Him, or is contrary to His Word, the Bible. Please take a few minutes now to read and consider these points about the fantasy genre, which you may never have considered before.

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The Daisy Chain, and The Trial, by Charlotte Mary Yonge

The Daisy Chain, and The Trial

By Charlotte M. Yonge

    Set in 19th century England, The Daisy Chain is the story of a country doctor’s large family.  The characters in this story are many and varied:  from the quiet and gentle Richard, to impulsive and awkward Ethel; self-possessed Flora and emotional and brilliant Norman.  There are eleven children, and each has his or her own character.  The Doctor himself is much like Ethel; impulsive, warm hearted, intelligent, and kind.  He is far from perfect, however, and sometimes his hasty words and actions startle his children, or cause misunderstandings in the town.

The House of Love, by Elizabeth Cheney

The House of Love

by Elizabeth Cheney

Rating:  6 out of 10 stars

    Doris Avery is a lonely orphan, quite plain, and without a friend in the world.  She is sent to earn her keep at the house of a well-to-do farmer, whose wife aspires to worldly greatness for her daughter.  The daughter, a pretty child, has been entirely spoiled by having her every whim gratified by her doting mother, and is selfish and jealous of her little maid.  She is unscrupulous, cruel, and exacting, but finds Doris useful sometimes as a playfellow, and gradually even comes to like her a little, as Doris is unfailingly kind and loving to her.

Book Review: Mignonette, by Agnes Giberne

Mignonette, by Agnes Giberne

Rating:  8 out of 10 stars.

     Ina Mignon, more familiarly known as Mignonette, has grown up in a Brussels boarding school under the care of a kind headmistress, since her father died suddenly without leaving directions regarding her.  In England, her uncle and his family are entirely unaware of her existence, until an accidental mention leads to her discovery.

Book Review: To Have and To Hold, by Mary Johnston

To Have and To Hold, by Mary Johnston

Rating:  4 out of 10 stars

    To Have and To Hold is Mary Johnston’s best known novel, and is set in the early days of America, in the settlement of Jamestown.  It is a romance novel, telling the story, in the first person, of Captain Percy’s hasty marriage, and the wild, unpredictable adventures to which it led.