The Return of Catesby
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by:
ISBN:
0-7414-8206-1
©2012
Price:
$15.95
Book Size:
5.5'' x 8.5''
, 242 pages
Category/Subject:
FICTION / Historical
The Return of Catesby is a sequel to “Catesby: Eyewitness to the Civil War” published in 2008. In this account, Catesby, a former slave, becomes the first colored teacher at Storer College in Harpers Ferry, WV. Storer was one of the first schools in the country to be established for the purpose of educating former slaves.
Catesby, a real historical character, brings his experience as a blacksmith, a veteran of the Union Army, and his survival of the famed Andersonville Prison to his students. The historical fiction story is based on Catesby’s journals, papers and letters.
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Abstract:
The Return of Catesby is a sequel to “Catesby: Eyewitness to the Civil War” published in 2008. In this account, Catesby, a former slave, becomes the first colored teacher at Storer College in Harpers Ferry, WV. Storer was one of the first schools in the country to be established for the purpose of educating former slaves.
Catesby, a real historical character, brings his experience as a blacksmith, a veteran of the Union Army, and his survival of the famed Andersonville Prison to his students. The historical fiction story is based on Catesby’s journals, papers and letters.
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Customer Reviews
A History Lesson
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01/23/2013
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Reviewer:
J. White
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Review of The Return of Catesby by Bob O’Connor
The real historical character of Catesby has emerged in a new novel by the Civil War author, Bob O’Connor, called The Return of Catesby. In this latest story, Catesby leads us through the challenging events of his life that culminate in his position as a teacher for newly freed slaves and others who have not been provided with an opportunity for an education.
The themes of overcoming adversity and believing in yourself weave expertly through this historical novel. The themes ring just as true today as they did for Catesby and his contemporaries 150 years ago. The struggles, hardships, importance of friends and family are all components that repeat throughout this compelling story of the difficult life after the Civil War. Catesby would use his personal struggles to reinforce his lessons to his sometimes doubting students. He participated in the life of the community at Harpers Ferry despite the antagonism shown to him and the other freed slaves by the worn out citizens. Catesby repeatedly told his students his personal stories and urged them to overcome their own trials and obstacles to build a new life, a better life through education.
Catesby has strong and meaningful relationships with whites during this time as well. He was well respected by those whites he had come in contact with because of his strong work ethic, his honesty, and his unfailing courage. The author reiterated the importance of these relationships in the development of Catesby as a teacher and a leader among the freed slaves.
I finished this book on the day President Barack Obama, our first African American president, was inaugurated for the second term and the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. How fitting to know that our African American brothers and sisters have gained much through the continuing struggles from Catesby’s days to the present! This historical perspective of O’Connor’s newest novel, is a good addition to one’s continual learning of our country’s history.
By Joanne L. White
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