INDEPENDENCE MUST BE WON.

By Phillip Viereck '48. New York: The JohnDay Co., 1964. 158 pp. $3.75

Although written for children, author Viereck's fictionalized account of the fall of Forts Ticonderoga and Independence to the Redcoats under General "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne is a tale that can be read with interest and some pleasure by parents as well. Viereck chose, and chose wisely, to keep his story small; and yet because of his skill with the fictional characterization of his two young heroes and in the retelling of history he brings the young reader to a very real sense of the American Revolution and why it eventually succeeded (despite such setbacks as experienced at Fort Ti). And, indeed, he brings out a very real sense of life itself.

The fictional story concerns Nathan Robinson, a resourceful farm lad, who by circumstance (that one willingly accepts) is on hand when Gentleman Johnny and his forces come down Lake Champlain .and when the colonists retreat. Nathan and his new friend Whit are very much alive and their reactions to battle, retreat, and personal danger will be quite understandable to the young reader. The author didn't do quite as well by Nathan's older brother Tim or Whit's. older sister Rachael. The young reader will be fully justified in getting annoyed at the soupy romantic ending tagged onto a good honest tale. The knot at" the end just wasn't necessary to tie up this appealing package.