Historians of the Civil War have a vast amount of source material from which to draw as participants on both sides were eager to share their side of the story once the conflict ended. In the latter part of the 19th century Americans eagerly read memoirs and collections concerning the Civil War. Thanks to the Internet Age, many of these forgotten classics are once again available.

Captain Robert E. Lee, the son of the famous Civil War general provides an intimate glimpse into the life of his legendary father in the Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee. Drawing heavily from the general's personal correspondence from all seasons of his life, the letters reveal Lee as a man of principle who cared deeply for his family, and who in all endeavors proved to be the consummate southern gentleman. The modern-day historian, Civil War buff, or anyone curious about this amazing man will relish every word of this historically significant book.

This wonderful book is available now in the Alacrity Press bookstore.

G.A. Henty Short Stories

Beloved to this day, nineteenth-century British author G.A. Henty wrote unforgettable stories by first creating endearing characters and then placing them in exotic locales where they faced danger at every turn. Among Malay Pirates: Tales of Adventure and Peril is a collection of short stories by Henty written in the style that his readers have come to expect. In addition to Among Malay Pirates, this collection includes stories set in India, the Channel Islands, the American Gold Rush and China. The perfect book for the Henty fan or the first-time reader who wants to know more about the enduring works of this classical writer, Among Malay Pirates will not disappoint.

The title story details the adventures of a British warship attempting to establish trading with tribes located on the Malay Peninsula, home today to Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Among Malay Pirates: Tales of Adventure and Peril is available now in the Alacrity Prress Bookstore.

Commands & Colors: Napoleonics

War & Peace from Alacrity Press shares the limelight with Russian 

and French units from GMT Games' Commands & Colors: Napoleonics 

game series.

I have long loved wargames. One of my favorite game companies is GMT Games. Recently I received a copy of their Russian Army expansion for their Commands & Colors: Napoleon game series. My son and I enjoyed our first game tonight in which his Russians won a closely contested battle at Elyau.

The release of GMT's game coincides well with a "new" book from Alacrity Press. While anticipating the new game I began to do some research on the era. Though a fictional work, Leo Tolstoy's masterpiece, War & Peace, automatically moves to the front of any discussion about Napoleon's disastrous Russian invasion. Unfortunately Tolstoy's genius typically gets lost among jokes about the book's immense girth—1200 pages plus. While a lengthy book has never intimidated me, lugging around the ESV Study Bible or a copy of Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire can be wearisome. inspired by the portability of thin line editions of the Bible, I began to explore the possibility of doing something similar with War & Peace. 

The result is War & Peace: Slimline Edition. The book is just over 300 pages and about 3/4" of an inch thick. This was accomplished through expanded margins, 6-point type, and the use of a double-column format. Admittedly, the edition is not for everyone, but brings portability to classic. The book is available from Alacrity Press now.

Lion of Saint Mark

When young Englishman Messer Francisco Hammond ventures across Europe to Venice, little can he imagine the adventure that awaits. The son of a London merchant, Francisco embarks on a career as a merchant working for the powerful Venetian businessman Signor Polani. Along with his friend Matteo, Francisco encounters the Genoese, Venice's mortal enemy, and Moorish pirates during their travels. In addition, the two must thwart the plans of the villainous Ruggiero Mocenigo, a nobleman who harbors evil intentions towards Matteo's cousins Maria and Giulia. When the Genoese bring war to the Venetian lagoons, Francisco must decide between leaving or fighting. Will Francisco survive the perils of merchant life on the Mediterranean? Will he and Matteo stop Ruggiero? Will Venice survive its war with Genoa? These and other questions will be answered in The Lion of Saint Mark: A Story of Venice in the Fourteenth Century by G. A. Henty.

Set in late-fourteenth century Italy, Turkey and the Mediterranean, this book includes more than sixty geographical, historical, and explanatory footnotes to aid the modern reader. The book is available now in the Alacrity Press bookstore.

In the Irish Brigade

When young Irishman Desmond Kennedy joins the Irish Brigade serving King Louis XVI of France, he has no idea what adventure and peril awaits. The young man finds himself engulfed in battles in Flanders and on the Iberian peninsula during the War of Spanish Succession. After arousing the wrath of a noble from whom he rescued a kidnapped girl, Desmond must not only fight for his life but to clear his name in order to regain the rights to his estate. Will Desmond survive the turmoil of the Napoleonic Wars? Will he clear his name? These and other questions will be answered in G. A. Henty's book In the Irish Brigade: A Tale of War in Flanders and Spain. 

Set in the early-eighteenth century Europe, this book includes more than one-hundred geographical, historical, and explanatory footnotes to aid the modern reader.It is available now in the Alacrity Press bookstore.

At the Point of the Bayonet

Harry Lindsay is just an infant when a Mahratta raiding party kills his parents. Saved by his native ayah (nursemaid) Soyera, Harry is raised to learn the culture and ways of the Mahrattas. Once grown to adulthood Soyera sends Harry back to the English. Harry’s background proves useful as he quickly rises in rank in the service of the British. Join Harry and his servant Abdool as they encounter many adventures as the British seek to subdue the Indian subcontinent in G. A. Henty’s At the Point of the Bayonet.

The Maratha Wars were a series of three wars waged in India between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire. The first began in 1777. The final struggle, known as the Pindari War, ended in 1818 after 110,000 Company soldiers succeeded in subduing the majority of India. This Henty book focuses on the earlier struggles between the two stubborn powers.

Set at the turn of the nineteenth century in India, Malaysia, Indonesia and England, this book includes more than 80 geographical, historical, and explanatory footnotes to aid the modern reader. G. A. Henty’s At the Point of the Bayonet is available now in the Alacrity Press bookstore.

G.A. Henty's Biography

In 1902, prolific British author George Alfred Henty passed away, leaving behind a rich body of historical fiction that is still enjoyed by readers today. After dropping out of college, Henty enrolled in the army, where he first witnessed combat and, later, became a war correspondent. His vivid accounts were read far and wide. 
    Today Henty is best remembered for the dozens of historical fiction books he wrote for boys. His lead character typically was a lad on the verge of adulthood who exhibited desirable character traits, like courage, hard work, and modesty. The setting of each story was usually against the background of a troubled time in history and the young man would meet the historically famous such as Hannibal, the Emperor Titus and Horatio Nelson. The stories have been a favorite of homeschool parents and all who love history, adventure and good clean fun.

In George Alfred Henty: The Story of an Active Life, George Manville Fenn chronicles Henty’s fascinating life, allowing admirers insight into the events and habits of the talented author. Henty fans will appreciate their beloved author all the more, after reading this thrilling account. The book is available now in the Alacrity Press bookstore.