Prelude to Glory

For anyone that knows me very well, knows that I enjoy reading. But I am pretty picky about what I read. One thing that I enjoy very much is historical novels. I started reading the nine book series, Prelude to Glory, by Ron Carter, about six or seven years ago. And I just finished the last book two days ago. Prelude to Glory is the story of the John Dunson family and friends beginning in about 1775. Living in Boston, they were in the middle of the animosities that started the Revolutionary War. John Dunson, the father of the family became involved as a soldier against the British beginning with 'the shot heard 'round the world'. Dunson's oldest son, Adam and his best friend Billy Weems also were young soldiers at the time. The whole series takes you on a journey with this family as they are involved in 'actual battles' and 'events' that took place in history. It begins with the first battle of the Revolutionary War, through the Constitutional Convention, and to the end of the war of 1812 when the Star Spangled Banner was written by Francis Scott Key. There are hardships, joys, deaths, marriages, babies, heartaches and more. One thing that I love about historical novels is that they take actual historical events, real people - and the things they said and did, and weave a fictional family into the events. It makes me feel like I have been on a time machine! I have gotten to know the great man, George Washington; Benjamin Franklin, a man born way before his time; and many great patriots that gave everything they had so they could pass on the gift of freedom from tyranny to their posterity. What a tremendous gift they left us! I wonder if many of us even know, or remember, what was done for us just over 200 years ago. They knew that they wouldn't live long enough to enjoy what they had fought for. They literally did what they did for their children and grandchildren that they would never know. Anyway . . . off my soapbox. I loved the books. I thought it was fitting that I would finish them on "Constitution Day". Thanks to our Fathers!