Lafayette, Notre Ami

Lafayette and the American Revolution
by Russell Freedman
Holiday House, 2010
96 pages

How did Seigneur Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, a "boy general who had never fired a shot in battle," go on to become one of George Washington's closest aides—and a bona fide hero of the American Revolution? Russell Freedman, one of the best nonfiction writers for kids, deftly lays out a fascinating account of the teen-aged French nobleman who volunteered for the cause, our cause.

A fine choice for history buffs sixth grade and up, Lafayette and the American Revolution was nominated for a Cybil award in the middle grade/young adult nonfiction category. So was Freedman's longer book The War to End All Wars, which I mentioned here and here.

Comments

[Gail Gauthier]

I'm hot to take a look at this book because just before I saw it reviewed for the first time I happened to see a really good PBS documentary on Lafayette. So now I'm ready for more Lafayette.

[Susan (Chicken Spaghetti)]

Oooh, I'll have to look for the PBS show.

Freedman's book is just the ticket for those of us who don't want to read the 6-volume bio! I even got teary at the end, but I won't say at what part. No spoilers... I do wish the book had a map; that's my only quibble. I forgot to put that in the writeup.