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Motorcycles Book Store > Motorcycles books beginning with T
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Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle |
Author: Victor Appleton
Published: 2009-05-01 |
List price: $10.99
Our price: $10.99
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As of: September 09th, 2010 05:05:27 PM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 Fun but a warning..,
This first of the Swift books is fun. Written in a more stayed fashion, and less jingoistic than the Red, White, and Blue 50s version, it was slightly more grounded. Parents need to be aware there is a African-American character who is portrayed in full stereotype and treated to racist comments that probably would have been offensive to many in 1910. Obviously unacceptable today. Parents will need to consider how to handle this section if reading with kids.
 Series Book Heaven
Famed childrens' book author and newspaper reporter Howard Garis wrote this classic volume. It captures life in rural New York state during the 1910's. The story is simple and fast paced, and contrary to popular opinion, it does not contain "tom swifties" (bad puns). In fact, it is quite well written. Also, it is not marred by the supposed antisemitism that crept into later volumes. Anyway, the later volumes that depict Jewish gangsters are no more antisemetic than The Godfather is anti-Italian. The character of "Rad" has been criticised as being racist, but, in spite of his Uncle Remus/Mark Twain type dialogue, "Rad" is loyal, hardworking, and clearly one of the good guys. In fact, he provides Tom with an important clue, without which Tom would not have been able to solve the problem. One weakness is that Tom, who is clearly middleclass, is suspicious of those with less money - but he also does not trust the wealthy and powerful. The basic theme of the story could be summarized in the letters PMA - Positive Mental Attitude. While positive thinking does not always "work" in the story, it certainly does not hurt! Tom may get discouraged, but he refuses to give up hope. This is a good lesson for all ages.
 Tom Swift Adventures Are Great Reading!
Tom Swift is one of my favorite books by Victor Appleton. Tom Swift has lots of adventures in it. So, if you like adventures then get one of the Tom Swift adventure books to have some fun! (I give it five stars, but for some reason my review shows only two.)
dictated by Edward (8 y/o)
 A wonderful Book!
I read this book to my 8 1/2 year old son and he could hardly stand it when we ended the chapter at night, begging me to read to him the next night. We both loved it. The vernacular lent a perfect discussion to the meaning of words and expressions and how our language has changed. Others have referenced the character "Eradicate" who is a "Darky" as being a negative. I found it just the opposite with a wonderful teaching platform as to how our world has changed. My son understands that Blacks weren't always viewed with respect and he's thankful that has changed. He also loved thinking that his grandfather who died before he was born also read these books. I highly recommend it for some good old fashioned fun. Editor reccommends 4-8 years old. I'd say 8-16 years.
History Captured.
The Tom Swift books are fun and simple reading. It's easy to see why these became so popular with the youth of the era. While I don't quite rank their plotting and general literary qualities as high as The Hardy Boy series, they are certainly well worth a look-see, even today.This particular book interested me as a motorcycle enthusiast. It was fascinating to read about how the technology and terminology have changed in ninety-some years. The motor's rumble was called "explosions." Easing off the throttle was called "turning off some power." And the differences in speed were eye-opening. Tom was thrilled to be able to travel thirty miles in half a day. But the hilarious part was the full conversations he could have or overhear while careening toward imminent collision at such break-neck speeds. The one thing that hasn't changed a bit in all this time is the thrill and love of two-wheels in the wind. Appleton explains it in 1910 as well as anyone since. The book is also worthwhile in that, without trying, it captures a snapshot of Americana at the turn of the century. Then-current views toward work ethic, criminals, and even minorities are revealed. Perhaps the most surprising is how the freedom, trust, and self-reliance of kids has changed. Today is certainly a different world. --Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.
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