"Life of the Eagle"
By: Beverley Pechin
Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (1/06)
“Life of the Eagle”
By Richard Evans
Arche Books Publishing (2004)
Not being a big history buff, I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be reading a book based on history. I was in for a big surprise. Richard Evans presents his character and the events of the book in a way that not only do you not realize you’re “learning about history as you read” you fall into the history and become a part of it. I think anyone and everyone from school age kids to the senior generation would enjoy this book.
While "Life of the Eagle" is a book of history, it is more about a story. It tells of history in the making from a viewpoint that no other historical book could come close to. I don’t mean to focus so much on the ‘history’ part… it’s not a text book filled with facts"¦ but it is a wonderfully presented historical fiction. My guess is that the fiction aspect is what is able to keep the storyline interesting. Placing the main character in various times and situations that later become a part of history seemed second nature. As a home school mom to 2 middle school aged children, I knew I had found a new must read for them. One that not only would keep them interested but sneak in some facts and history lessons that they would have no clue they were getting! I’d recommend the book to anyone and everyone, from those that don’t really typically enjoy fiction to those who love it, from those who are avid history buffs to those that would normally fall asleep within the first 2 minutes of a history lecture. It somehow brings us all together to enjoy the story!
The author has an amazing way of bringing the characters to life and showing the trials and tribulations of the times without making you feel like you’re back in school listening to a boring history lesson. The fiction part seems to keep one interested, while the accurate telling of historical events makes it even more enjoyable and intriguing.
"Life of the Eagle" is about a man who has a “gift”. His gift allows him to seemingly live forever and experience the world as no average man has been able to. The author takes you through times of love, war, fear, laughter, and more. The reader is allowed inside the world of history from an entirely different perspective. You feel as though you are a part of the main character’s world, seeing it from his eyes. The time span he covers is unbelievable… and yet as you know time passes"¦ you feel as though you are like the character and never growing older! Starting in the 1700’s and going through present times you experience things that nobody else has experienced, simply through the life and times of this wonderful man. You become a part of the war against Britain, you share moments of triumph as the times of the Gold Rush pass by, love and hatred so deep you can feel it in your own gut. It’s all so very real as you read about it, almost becoming a part of history yourself.
The book was hard to put down and I was actually disappointed when it ended!!! I wanted, no, needed, more!!! I wanted to open another book that continued on with his story! It was truly one of the best books I’ve read lately and that’s a pretty big set of shoes to fill since I read some of the most famous authors of all time, ranging from Koontz to Bronte! I was very pleasantly surprised by the author’s ability to keep your attention and yet present his story in a way that you wanted more and more. Impressive writing, impressive presentation, and even more impressive that this man somehow made me not only enjoy a history lesson… but LOVE it! Kudos to you Mr. Evans!!! I look forward to more books from you, but just remember you have created a pretty tough path to follow! Excellent job!
Beverley Pechin is a book reviewer for Reader Views.
http://www.readerviews.com