GUERRILLA SCOUT

by Bruce Cassidy ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1965

Books dealing with guerrilla fighters can bring war into its most human perspective. This one begins with several illustrations of the conflicts that arise outside the direct line of battle fire. Jimmy Cardinals was a 15 year old boy who had lived most of his life Un California and retained his pro-American feelings after his father felt patriotically bound to comply with Mussolini's request that Italians return to their country. Obviously Jimmy must have felt some confusion about determining where his loyalties rested. The problem is further heightened when Jimmy's village is destroyed and his family killed by American bombers. Despite these elements, Jimmy is treated very impersonally, turning into a boy wonder as he rescues a band of partisans and escaping from Germans and Italian officers to inform the Americans of the location of a German Observation Post. The story is marred by stereotyped personalities, and while boys ratty find it adequate adventure, it lacks the emotional intensity of James Forman's Ring the Judas Bell (1965, p. 11, J-11) which also handled the problems of loyalty in the guerrilla setting, but did it better.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1965

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1965

Categories: FICTION