MINUTEMEN AND MARINERS, True Tales of New England.

By Charles F.Haywood '25. Boston: Dodd, Mead, 1963.269 pp. $4.00.

One of the delights to be found in the study of history, despite how deeply one delves into a particular subject, is that further untapped pleasures always seem to lie in store for the patient and persistent reader. All too often, however, this entails tedious sifting in volumes of boring and irrelevant material to discover the interesting and illuminating account sought.

The author of Minutemen and Mariners, Charles Haywood '25, has done this sifting for us and has fashioned eighteen narrative episodes from the many volumes noted in the bibliography. These stories, covering the period from the Revolution through the War of 1812 and up to the mid-19th Century, deal with adventures from Ticonderoga to Tripoli and from Machias to Martinque. These interesting stories deal primarily with the men who shaped events rather than with the events themselves. In this way, the author has added an element of warmth and credibility to events which have all too often become rather dry and dull through a strict pedagogical approach to American history.

For example, one of the most fascinating accounts deals with the capture of a giant turtle in the West Indies, its transport to Salem, its preparation by the renowned Boston caterer, Prince Hall, and its consumption by the elite East India Marine Society on Misery Island. One only slightly familiar with the modern day clambake will find the mouth-watering descriptions of the elegant feast almost irresistible. Equally tempting is the flavor of the times portrayed in this sketch.

But this is but one of eighteen vignettes which deal with battles, naval engagements, early commercial ventures, and biographical sketches during the formative years of our country. Mr. Haywood has the touch to bring these events alive which is most appealing.

Minutemen and Mariners is heartily recommended to the layman with an interest in American history and particularly to the junior high and high school student who wishes to supplement his textbooks with these in-depth accounts.

Reviewer Breed has long been interestedin the history of his native New England.