Benedict Books

One of the most useful and interesting publishing phenomena of the past decade has been the appearance of a number of collections of Civil War diaries and letters written not by famous names but by the line officers and common soldiers who actually fought the war--and who suffered the diseases, quibbles and boredom of camp life in the often-long intervals between battles. I found this particular book especially insightful on both the details of military life and the ambience of the war years. The letters themselves are marvelous--even in their mundane concerns. This truly is a slice of "real life" that a standard history text can't offer (the book reminds me of the wonderful collections of courts-martial, reports and papers assembled by Dr. Thomas Lowry, who is consistently one of our most interesting Civil War historians). Credited as the book's "editor," Eric Ward has actually done far more than simply getting the narrative into shape for publication (a tough enough job by itself). Ward has set the book off superbly, and his interlocutions to place Benedict's jottings in context are masterful in their accuracy, succinctness and insight. For those seriously interested in Civil War studies, or simply for a reader anxious to enter that bygone world for the first time, this book is an excellent choice. Very well done!

Fr. Benedict Ashley, O.P. ("Benny" for hundreds of his students) is a man of great faith and wisdom. Although this book represents only a small number of his articles and books, it is well worth reading. While academics of all stripes -- Christian and non-Christian, Catholic and non-Catholic -- chase the latest fads of academia, Ashley's work provides a sure guide to prudentia, and the theological virtues. It is to be hoped that this book will achieve the renown it deserves. The essays gathered here are for the most part from the latter part of his career as a teacher an scholar, which is only fitting, since they will be of most interest at this time. However it would have been good to have some of the essays he published in the 50's and 60's as well.

This is another out of print Rex Benedict that shouldn't be. You smile, laugh out loud, and fall in love with the characters. This is a great pick me up when the chips are down. A book to be loved by kids of all ages!

This is an excellent concise summation of Catholic faith for anyone to use
with the contemporary Cathechism in learning in simple fashion a core faith articulation of faith experience.

Ages 3-7. Benedict Blathwayt's charming picture book gently carries us along with a Teddy bear on his great adventure - out to sea and safely home again. Bear's Adventure begins when he is left behind on the beach one day, when the children go home. As the tide rises he is carried out to sea - to float among fish and seaweed, crabs and lobsters, and one sunken treasure ship. Eventually Bear is caught in a fishing net, hung out to dry on deck, and kindly left on a wharf with a "Found" notice. A curious seagull carries him up and away, then drops him on the waves - and Bear's adventure is finally over when he floats back to his own beach, where loving arms claim him.
This fine little book satisfies readers on several levels. First, it's a delightful picture book for young readers, with simple text. Young children will enjoy Bear's adventure with confidence that it will all end happily. Benedict Blathwayt's pictures are full of rewarding details of the beach, underwater sea world, fishing boat and wharf, yet the images remain clear and simple. And for the noticing adult (this is the other level of enjoyment) there are careful and accurate clues that place the story on the Isle of Mull, off the west coast of Scotland. In particular, look for a panorama of the old wharf and harbour at Tobermory. Having spent a month on Mull this summer I can say that the island landscape, from the little wildflowers of the machair (where beach and meadow meet), to the curiously peaked seashells and slanted, northern sunlight, is drawn here with loving accuracy.

This was a great story of how a personal tragedy birthed a hobby that is now a ministry!! Very touching loss but the author is an example to us all of perseverance and strength of character. Plus, this book is an excellent idea book for making stuffed bears of all kinds!!

Thank you Ruby!!

Benedict Arnold is well known as the man who tried to ruin the American Revolution. Less known is that he was a Revolutionary War hero who almost single-handedly made it possible for the United States to win its independence from Great Britain. This book is not an in-depth study of the Arnold, but it's not meant to be. It is, however, an interesting, well-researched overview of Arnold and his times. It contains lots of information about Arnold and some possible reasons for his actions.

Having lived near the town the fictional Granby Lakes is based on my entire life, it was certainly interesting to read this hilariously funny account of Jack Douglas's aborted attempts to make the Honeymoon Mountain Inn a successful and lucrative business. Reading this book I could picture perfectly every stroke of bad luck and every act of ill will, which all seemed typical of the local population. I'd read some of Mr. Douglas's other work, and enjoyed them all thoroughly. Benedict Arnold Slept Here was not a disappointment. My only problem is that all of Jack Douglas's books are out of print and hard to find. Their lack of availability is maddening, because they're such great books!

Mr. Wilson, a Canadian journalist, has done a remarkable job bringing the little-known aspects of Benedict Arnold to life.

He skillfully describes the political, personal and social factors which made Arnold the man that he was (both good and bad). The focus is on Arnold as an adult, following him through his days as a Yankee trader, as a superb General and leader of men, as a "turncoat", and then as a trader, husband, father and litigant. His years in eastern Canada and England are dealt with in some detail.

Like so many others, Benedict Arnold was, to me, more a symbol than a man. I knew the basic events surrounding the "incident", but virtually nothing else. Thanks to Barry Wilson, this is no longer the case.

Anyone who is at all interested in American history should read this book. (You will note, upon reading it, that congress apparently has not changed much at all since our Nation's first breath.) Mr. Boylan does not attempt to excuse Arnold's behavior towards the end of his career in the American army; he merely portrays the whole picture of who Benedict Arnold was, his role as no doubt one of the greatest soldiers on either side during the Revolution, and describes the events leading up to Arnold's turning away from this new Nation, from which you can easily draw your own conclusions.

This book has recorded incredible, action-packed events during that time, many events that have rarely, if ever, been given even honorable mention in the typical history books we are dully schooled from today. It is a refreshing change from the all-too-pat versions typically presented both on screen and in print about Benedict Arnold. This book, in my estimation, should be a required read for all students in high school and/or college courses in American history.

If adhered to, this book's depiction of Benedict Arnold's colorful and amazing life would make one memorable, first rate movie. And it would be about time this man were truly given a long overdue, fair presentation (on the big screen) of his valor, fighting skills, determination, sacrifices, and yes, dedication to a cause - until events made him rethink his position entirely.

His political incorrectness with congress was perhaps his greatest undoing - a recurring theme we often find with many a great warrior in history.

Boylan has managed to capture the spirit of this much maligned American hero turned 'traitor'. I was drawn to read this book after wading through 'A Rabble in Arms', which also gives quite a bit of credit to Benedict Arnold in the war effort. 'The Dark Eagle' is perhaps one of the most important books, as an American, I have ever read.