The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army: A Story of the Great Rebellion: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army: A Story of the Great Rebellion: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army: A Story of the Great Rebellion is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Optic, Oliver (1822–1897).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army: A Story of the Great Rebellion" by Oliver Optic is a historical novel written during the mid-19th century, set amidst the American Civil War. The narrative follows young Tom Somers, a sixteen-year-old boy filled with patriotic fervor, as he aspires to join the Union Army in response to the escalating conflict after the attack on Fort Sumter. The preface indicates that the story is a mix of personal adventure and a reflection on patriotism, depicting not only Tom's youthful enthusiasm but also the broader sentiments and societal implications of the time. The opening of the book introduces Tom Somers as he reacts to the news of the Fort Sumter surrender, which incites a passionate desire to enlist in the military. This eagerness quickly leads to a confrontation with a young neighbor, Fred Pemberton, who expresses treasonous views siding with the South. The intense dialogue illustrates the dividing sentiments present in their town of Pinchbrook, while Tom’s fervor culminates in physical altercations, drawing the attention of local citizens. Through a series of stirring family discussions and the eventual decision to enlist, both Tom's character and the context of the era are vividly painted, establishing the emotional stakes as he prepares to leave home for war, reflecting the tension of a nation divided.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army: A Story of the Great Rebellion
- Author credits: Optic, Oliver (1822–1897)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Juvenile fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Adventure
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Historical Novels
- Children's Fiction
- US Civil War
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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