Why Not, Lafayette? (Unforgettable Americans)

Rating:
Summary: Bland Book
Review: I had a hard time forcing myself through this book. I gave it to my 10 year old son, who is a Francophile and a voracious reader, and he couldn't get through it. Just kind of dry for a biography of a person who was probably pretty interesting.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Jean Fritz books.
Review: I met Jean Fritz at an Educator's Conference a month ago. She was pleased I picked up this book as Lafayette is one of her favorite historical figures. I did it because I had a student who was intrigued by Layfayette in his social studies class. I felt I could learn more about him and share the information and book. I found out quite a bit. Lafayette was a major figure in both the American and French Revolutions. The American Revolution succeeded partly because of his determination. He tried to set France on the right path several times, but it didn't happen in his lifetime. He lived until his seventies and had a very full life. He was a shining figure that celebrated life right up to his death. I want to thank Jean Fritz for pointing this book out to me and prompting me to purchase it.

Rating:
Summary: Why not indeed?
Review: Lafayette, young brash and bored, takes as his life motto the "Why Not?" on his family crest and answers the call to adventure by leaving the ennui of European court life and taking up arms in the American cause. His personal life, including wife and kids left at home, his adoration of Washington, and his instrumental role in the success of the faltering colonial revolution are all adequately explained for young readers, but there is an uncharacteristic flatness to the telling. Fritz' many other biographies certainly qualify her to tackle this enigmatic subject, but the intricacies of political intrigue seem to oscure the storyline. Lafayette's life seems to have been about boredom, about opposing constituted authority and about swashbuckling adventure, no matter who pays the price. A tough subject to cook down for readers 10-14, by any standard. It's a great read for an overview of Lafayette's life, but lacking in the fire and passion of Fritz's other books.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Jean Fritz books.
Review: Lafayette, young brash and bored, takes as his life motto the "Why Not?" on his family crest and answers the call to adventure by leaving the ennui of European court life and taking up arms in the American cause. His personal life, including wife and kids left at home, his adoration of Washington, and his instrumental role in the success of the faltering colonial revolution are all adequately explained for young readers, but there is an uncharacteristic flatness to the telling. Fritz' many other biographies certainly qualify her to tackle this enigmatic subject, but the intricacies of political intrigue seem to oscure the storyline. Lafayette's life seems to have been about boredom, about opposing constituted authority and about swashbuckling adventure, no matter who pays the price. A tough subject to cook down for readers 10-14, by any standard. It's a great read for an overview of Lafayette's life, but lacking in the fire and passion of Fritz's other books.