Our family qualifies for expert status in the realm of books on tape. We travel almost thirty hours, round trip, for our favorite vacation destination each summer, and one of the ways that we spend our time is listening to books on the stereo.

One popular choice on these long drives are the stories written by G.A. Henty. One favorite is the story of William Wallace and Robert Bruce - In Freedom's Cause from Jim Hodges Productions.

The protagonist is Archibald (Archie) Forbes, and he works alongside the brave men that fought for Scotland's freedom. Henty always does a great job of providing excellent role models and interesting characters, and In Freedom's Cause is no exception. Jim Hodges does the reading of the story, and his voice makes for very easy listening. This is not a dramatic presentation that involves a large cast; it is more like having Dad do a beautiful job of reading the story. With eleven hours and thirty-three minutes fascinating historical fiction, this is a great choice for long drives, bedtime or quiet time.

Other G.A. Henty books available from Jim Hodges Productions are: Beric the Briton, For the Temple, Winning His Spurs, Under Drake's Flag, With Wolfe in Canada, and With Lee in Virginia.
--Product Review by: Diane Wheeler, Senior Staff Writer, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

Henty Books on Tape

Under Drake's Flag-A Tale of the Spanish Main
Jim Hodges Productions
20601 S. E. 74th Street
Newalla, OK 74857
405-391-5762
www.hentybooksontape.com

Unlike your common boring history book, the author, G. A. Henty, has a fabulous reputation for keeping his books true to the significant historic facts and making the reader feel as if they are living in the time and place of the events surrounding the story. Jim Hodges follows the footsteps of this great author and delivers his words in a manner that draws you in. It is not uncommon for our family to sit in the parking lot of our destination glued to the speakers awaiting a break in the action before getting out of the car.

For anyone with children that are old enough to get into the subject matter of a Henty book, even if they are too young to read one themselves, this is an excellent way for a family to enjoy literature on the road, or just an evening around the fireplace. It will give your children, and I confess even the adults, the desire to get further into the subject matter. Under Drake's Flag will captivate your heart and mind.

I look forward to hearing Jim Hodges present other works from Henty. With Lee in Viginia may be my next choice or maybe it will be In Freedom's Cause. Whichever one we choose I am confident it will be exceptional.