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Summary: AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE!
Review: As a Civil War historian, I found this book fascinating! I knew little about the war in the very far west, or about Indians fighting for the Confederates! This book brought it all alive for me! But this book also deals with the issues of the war for both sides! If you enjoy serious Civil War stories, then this book is for you! Grade: A+
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Summary: Compelling Novel for a 4th Grader....
Review: I can't believe this book is still available! This was one of the very few books I remember by title that I read when I was in the 4th Grade in 1957. It made quite an impression on a ten year old... so much so that I can recall it so vividly after forty-six years. It had to be great to leave such a positive impression for so long.
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Summary: Example of finest fiction for younger readers
Review: I first read Rifles for Watie in sixth grade and still find that almost twenty years later I enjoy the book almost as much now as that first read. Written by Harold Keith, this book takes you with Jeff Bussey as he moves from his family farm in Kansas to the forefront of the civil war theater. Keith vividly depicts Jeff's interaction with the union army and many of the battles fought. Keith does an exceptional job of adding dimension to Jeff's experiences. I can't say enough about this book. Already past its fiftieth birthday, I believe this book is as fresh as the day it was written and I look forward to sharing it with my son.
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Summary: Spectacular Historical Fiction
Review: I first read this delightful novel in 1968 or 1969. It continues to be one of my favorite books. Historian and former OU sports information director Harold Keith actually makes history "fun" for teenagers with this award-winning tale, as RIFLES FOR WAITIE gives readers a full account of the brutal Civil War campaign in the Indian Territories of the frontier.At the heart of Keith's story is young Jeff Bussey, who joins a regiment of Kansas volunteers as a 16-year-old, idealistic adventure seeker. Jeff's idealism is short-lived once he confronts the horrors and barbarism of war; it is replaced by disillusionment, bitterness, fear. Although written in the Fifties, Keith cuts no corners in portraying the brutality of the Civil War in Oklahoma Territory; the reader can smell the smoke, hear the deafening roar of cannon, feel the bullets whistle past. And as young Jeff matures. . .becomes a battle-hardened survivor. . .he is sent on an assignment behind enemy lines--only to discover the men he is fighting are just like him: cold, tired, hungry, and ready to go home. Wonderfully written and flawlessly paced, RIFLES FOR WAITIE is an absorbing read. Highly recommended for teenagers or history buffs wanting to learn more about the Civil War in Oklahoma.
--D. Mikels
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular Historical Fiction
Review: I first read this delightful novel in 1968 or 1969. It continues to be one of my favorite books. Historian and former OU sports information director Harold Keith actually makes history "fun" for teenagers with this award-winning tale, as RIFLES FOR WAITIE gives readers a full account of the brutal Civil War campaign in the Indian Territories of the frontier. At the heart of Keith's story is young Jeff Bussey, who joins a regiment of Kansas volunteers as a 16-year-old, idealistic adventure seeker. Jeff's idealism is short-lived once he confronts the horrors and barbarism of war; it is replaced by disillusionment, bitterness, fear. Although written in the Fifties, Keith cuts no corners in portraying the brutality of the Civil War in Oklahoma Territory; the reader can smell the smoke, hear the deafening roar of cannon, feel the bullets whistle past. And as young Jeff matures. . .becomes a battle-hardened survivor. . .he is sent on an assignment behind enemy lines--only to discover the men he is fighting are just like him: cold, tired, hungry, and ready to go home. Wonderfully written and flawlessly paced, RIFLES FOR WAITIE is an absorbing read. Highly recommended for teenagers or history buffs wanting to learn more about the Civil War in Oklahoma.
--D. Mikels
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Summary: Rifles for Watie book review
Review: I read the book Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith. It is about a boy named Jefferson Bussey who is sixteen when the civil war broke out and he wanted to be in it. He was from Kansas living on a farm with his family. Eventuall one day he sneaks out fome his house and goes to the barrocks for war. When he is in war he figures out that war is not all good and glory. You have to march for miles, get fed almost nothing and sleep in horrible conditions. He sees his friends die right in front of him to. Then they send him out to infiltrate the enemys camp as a spy. when he gets there he finds out that they are the same as him but they are just fighting for a diffrent casue. But once he finds out what he had to he cant decide if he should go with the rebels or stay with the Union. The desrana of this book is non-fiction. I liked this book alot because of all the action in it. I recomend this book to any people that like action and war books.
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Summary: Rifles For Watie
Review: I really enjoy this book but, I'm not leaving it at that.I think this book should and could be made into a film.It's got all the ingredients.A young man called Jeff in his teens(I'm about his age actually)who goes off to war to fight for his homeland for the Union.(same old story right?)EXCEPT about halfway through the book he joins the Rebel side.Which ideals are best for fighting a war? Help keep the union together and get rid of slavery or fight to help save the cherokee indians lands fighting under conel Watie of the confederete army? Sounds pretty good doesn't it? Heroic battles where Jeff is pitted agains't Rebels in pitched battles including a time where he gets a medal for bravery.Deadly skirmishes(that really give the story it's excitment)often by suprise from the enemy.Jeff meets and loses friends on both sides that are each nice in their own way.Both sides have very different ways they fight the war.A captivating cherokee girl(totally a rebel) named Lucy meet and come to love each other utterly despite their differances.
I have given only a few of the points that would make this book a good movie.I don't have room to write more.I guess it could be rated PG-13 for battle sequences but not for other lewd content thats not in the book.I hope in to it in theaters in a few years!(I think Peter Jackson could do a good job seeing how he did Lord of the Rings so well.
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Summary: Rilfles For Watie
Review: Jeff Bussey is only 16 when the Civil War breaks out, but he immediately leaves his home in Linn County- after two bushwhackers's break into his house - to join the Kansas volunteers. After his first battle, he discovers war isn't just glory. He sees his friends die and knows that he may be next. He has to cope with a mean officer, Captain Clardy, and his love for a rebel girl, Lucy Washbourne.
Then he is sent on a scouting mission,behind enemy lines where he makes an important discovery. The rebels are just boys like him, only they are fighting for a different cause. He is left with a tough decision to make. Should he join the enemy or betray them?
I loved this book because it was so suspenseful. Harold Keith does a great job describing everything. This book is difficult to read so I recommend it to 5th Grade and up.
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Summary: Made up for boring History class!
Review: Many people view me as odd when I tell them I think the Civil War is an exciting prospect. This is surely due to the fact that our History teacher did such an awful job teaching it. This book is what helped me see how interesting it really was. Instead of lengthy lists of battles and dates, this book incorporated the feelings of a person. True, it took me a while to pick up this book. I got it at about age nine and was not very inclined to read it... but now at thirteen it is an exciting read. Don't turn away just because of the fact that it has the word 'rifles' in the title. I was purely because of the fact that in History rifles were always paired up with boring battles. Please turn to this rather than those [other] books about babysitting or whatever. I know the babysitters club is behind most of us but it lies in my memory as an example...
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Summary: This is a great book
Review: Rifles for Watie is an excellent book. I never realized that there was so much going on in the Civil war. I first read this book in 5th grade and I loved it. Rifles for Watie is a facinating book about a boy called Jeff who joins up in the army and gets more than he expected! He is a infantry man, a cavalier, a cannonier for two hours and a spy.While Jeff is a spy he finds out that his enemy ,the confederates, are not a bad bunch. He falls in love with a girl called Lucy and she wants him to join the confederates. Will Jeff stay with the Unions or will he betray them to join the confederates?
In all I have given Rifles for Watie for it is exciting and full of adventure. It has deserved the newberry award. If you haven't read it yet then I would recommend you go to the libary or to a book store and read it!!! But be warned once you red this you will not stop until the end!!! --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.
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