Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s American Heroes: Robert Smalls, the Boat Thief by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.


Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s American Heroes: Robert Smalls, the Boat Thief
Title : Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s American Heroes: Robert Smalls, the Boat Thief
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 1423108027
ISBN-10 : 9781423108023
Language : English
Format Type : Hardcover
Number of Pages : 48
Publication : First published September 30, 2008

On a moonlit night in the spring of 1862, six slaves stole one of the Confederacy's most crucial gunships from its wharf in the South Carolina port of Charleston, and delivered it to the Federal Navy. This audacious and intricately coordinated escape, masterminded by a 24-year-old sailor named Robert Smalls, astonished the world and exploded the Confederate claim that Southern slaves did not crave freedom or have the ability to take decisive action. Robert Smalls's heroic career had only begun. A brilliant sailor and strategist, he was quickly promoted to the rank of captain in the Federal Navy where he served courageously in many critical battles. Not only was Smalls a great soldier, he was also a powerful activist, whose appeal to Abraham Lincoln convinced the president to enlist 5,000 former slaves, shattering the color barrier that had kept black men out of the service. Smalls drew great crowds as an eloquent public speaker, and his outstanding character inspired the broad public support that encouraged Lincoln to ratify the Emancipation Proclamation. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. tells the story of another great American hero, a man who did not flinch in the face of extraordinary dangers--a man whose dedication to the cause of freedom made him one the most important participants in the American Civil War.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s American Heroes: Robert Smalls, the Boat Thief Reviews

  • Nicholas Karpuk

    I wouldn't normally take the time to review a children's book, but something about this stuck out to me. I found this book sitting on my mom's coffee table and thought it might be worth the ten minutes or so it would take to read.

    Though this book makes the same mistakes a lot of textbooks do in editorializing the hell out of their subject (constantly discussing how heroic he was is the chief overused bit of dramatization), I was impressed at the books willingness not to shy away from the dark truths about the post-civil war era.

    The first part of the book goes over what any book would, discussing Robert Smalls escape from slavery via the skills he learned in navigation and sailing. This part of the story is an incredibly easy sell since it's about a slave overcoming adversity left and right. He ends up aiding the union to a ridiculous extent and become a political fixture in the post-war south.

    And then it keeps going. Some books would have stopped there. But the author had the honesty to explain to kids how racists took back the south through terror and fraud. Smalls loses his positions multiple times to racists, both on a local level, then due to Dixiecrats at a later date. This book, which I presume is aimed at elementary school children, actually points out how the Republicans of the time actually sold out blacks to big business when supporting them was no longer the easiest political angle. I was shocked how much credit Kennedy actually gives children.

    It'd be nice if children's authors made a habit out of this.

  • Chris Cohen

    American history books exclude some of the most amazing and important information. I am grateful for Mr. Kennedy’s honest, even, and clear writing; and Mr. Faricy’s stunning, lifelike illustrations.

    What an incredible story of a true American hero. I take heart from him and his determination to make America the egalitarian country it is supposed to be.

    As a book, the story is well-written, concise, and fair. I am going to find more art by Mr. Faricy, and I plan to see what else Mr. Kennedy has written. This was a pleasure to read, and I recommend it to other readers of all ages.

  • Phoebe

    An amazing bit of history brought to life with marvelous art. Adults will enjoy the pared down information and kids (4th grade and up) will most certainly want to know what happens.

  • Linda

    I was nearly finished with Janet Halfman's biography of Robert Smalls, American hero before and after the Civil War when this book was donated at the used bookstore where I volunteer.
    Patrick Faricy's beautiful illustrations make the story told by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. even more inspiring. Smalls was hero before and after the Civil War and gave his whole life to achieving justice for his African-American brothers and sisters. He was smart, ending up a trusted boat captain in Charleston, SC when, during the Civil War, he saw a chance for freedom. It's an inspiring story yet also heartbreaking that he became the most powerful black man during his time in South Carolina, gaining a seat in Congress during Reconstruction, always fighting for what's best for his people, only to have much freedom taken away again by white supremacists. It's a story everyone should know and share with children, too.

  • Sydney Cornett

    This book would be great to read or introduce during a history lesson. It is an effective replacement of textbook. It is something that interests me, I feel it will have the same affect on students as they are learning about Robert F. Kennedy.

  • Lynn

    A hero for sure. Need more books for youngsters such as this.

  • Emily

    I'm so glad that I read this book about Robert Smalls. What an incredible man! This is worth the read.

  • Crystal M

    Someone call Lin Manuel Miranda, b/c this American hero needs a musical that lives up to this SAGA!

  • Andrew Dittmar

    This is very much a textbook-like picture book, but if only RFK Jr. had stuck with textbook-style picture books instead of aggressive anti-vaccine activism.

  • Assja Good

    Such a great read for children on American heroes in history. Great read.