By the Sword
Grade 4–6—In 1776, Benjamin Tallmadge, a school headmaster, felt called to leave his position and join George Washington's army, defending the freedom of the fledgling American nation. Making informed use of primary-source material, including Tallmadge's memoirs, this fictionalized accounting follows the young man who would go on to have a distinguished career as one of Washington's trusted officers and spies, through the Battle of Long Island. The visceral narrative captures Tallmadge's involvement in that battle, from his first shot at a fellow human being to his return to the battlefield to retrieve his horse, and also limns the emotional state of an untried soldier as he begins to square his beliefs with the reality of their cost. Farnsworth's oil on linen canvas illustrations are likewise thoroughly researched and do a sound job of depicting conditions and the times. The slightly impressionistic feel and realistic use of color do much to enhance a sense of the confusion of battle. A wonderful accompaniment to Scott Ingram's more global and entirely factual approach inThe Battle of Long Island(Gale, 2003), this is an excellent introduction to the use of primary-source material to create a plausible historical narrative that also adds a human face. A time line of Tallmadge's life, a list of places to visit, research notes, and an excellent print bibliography are included.—Ann Welton, Helen B. Stafford Elementary, Tacoma, WACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.