The Modern History Bundle contains the following stories:

In the Reign of Terror: An English Lad in the French Revolution (1789-1799)

The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, ushered in the French Revolution. Within four years, the king was executed and a revolutionary tribunal was established to judge “enemies of the people.” Led by Robespierre, the Jacobins sought to establish a “Republic of Virtue” and to achieve it, the property of nobles was seized and “enemies” tried and sent to the guillotine. Known as the Reign of Terror, everyone associated with the monarchy, expressed royalist views, or opposed the committee, faced potential execution. Harry Sandwith, a companion of a French family, wins their confidence and becomes the protector of the three daughters. After the girls are condemned to death in the coffin-ships, Harry saves the girls and the gets them safely to England.

Through Russian Snows: A Story of Napoleon’s Retreat From Moscow (1812)

In 1812 Napoleon invaded Russia. Two brothers, diligent Frank and carefree Julian, end up on different sides of the conflict! Napoleon’s army of 500,000 defeat the Russians at Smolensk and Borodino, but wait too long after entering a deserted Moscow for Russia’s capitulation, which never comes. Retreat is the only option and a mere fifth of the army survive. Frank and Julian meet in Moscow under unexpected circumstances; one as the aid-de-camp to Sir Robert Wilson, the other having rescued the child of a Russian nobleman.

Through the Fray: The Luddite Riots and the Industrial Revolution (1812)

The story is laid in Yorkshire in 1812, when the introduction of machinery and high price of food induced by the Napoleonic Wars, drove the working-classes to desperation, and caused them to band themselves in that wide-spread organization known as the Luddite Society. There is an abundance of adventure in the tale, but its chief interest lies in the character of the hero, and the manner in which he is put on trial for his life, but at last comes victorious “through the fray.

One of the 28th – A Tale of Waterloo (1815)

Ralph Conway is captured by a privateer and has many adventures in the Caribbean. Returning home, he and his friend Stapleton join the 28th Regiment, fight in Ireland, and in 1815 embark for Belgium to fight the French.

A Final Reckoning: A Tale of Bush Life in Australia (1830s)

Australia in the 1830’s was a wild place. Reuben Whitney, escaping an inaccurate perception of him in England, enjoys an adventurous passage onboard the Paramatta, and sails ‘down under.’ Joining the police force, he makes his mark in conflicts with the Aborigines and Bushrangers. Finally he saves the life of a squire’s daughter who has emigrated to Australia following her fathers financial ruin. This story is filled with adventure, close calls, and historical information about the early days of Australia!

Out on the Pampas: A Tale of Young Settlers in Argentina (1850s)

Out on the Pampas was the exciting story overheard by a friend who encouraged Mr. Henty to have it published, launching his amazing career as “The Boy’s Own Historian.” In the mid 1800’s, the Hardy family relocates to Argentina, joining other British settlers trying to start a better life for themselves in a new land. They face many obstacles and perils in this rugged life-style: surveying, building, planting, raising animals, and fighting off attacks from the natives. The children in the story – Charles, Hubert, Maud, and Ethel – are named after Mr. Henty’s own children!

Facing Death: The Hero of Vaughan Pit Coal Mine (1850’s)

The author stated that this book was his own personal favorite, and the best among his books for boys. An orphan named Jack Simpson at the age of about 10 begins work in the coal mines. Full of excitement, the book relays a strike against the mine owners, a riot against the youth of the town, and one catastrophe after another, culminating in a deadly explosion. Our maturing hero discovers a way to escape from certain death in the mine and assumes the most dangerous actions needed to save himself and others.

Jack Archer – A Tale of the Crimean War (1853)

In 1853 a conflict between Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic monks over Jerusalem holy sites exposed other disagreements between Turkey and a Russian empire desirous of expanding into the Mediterranean.  The author, G. A. Henty actually served in the Hospital Supply department at the Scutari military hospital alongside Florence Nightingale during this war!  His up close and personal stories about the conditions and activities of the men could only have been told by an eyewitness.

G. A. Henty Short Stories Collection:

A terrific addition to your Henty audiobook collection! (The Plague Ship is my personal favorite story – with a wonderful female lead!) The collection contains narratives that continue the Henty tradition of heroes both brave and modest, but are quite unlike a typical Henty novel in that they are sometimes sentimental or melancholy. Henty was primarily known for his full length novels for young people, but he regularly contributed short stories such as these to weekly boys’ magazines such as The Boys Own Paper and The Union Jack, and was editor of many publications as well.