“Fields of the Fatherless” by Elaine Cooper

 “Remove not the old landmark; 

and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

For their redeemer is mighty; 

he shall plead their cause with thee.”

Proverbs 23:10-11 kjv

Wow! That’s all I really want to say about this book, but I won’t.

If you enjoy learning about American history or if you love historical fiction, I highly recommend “Fields of the Fatherless” by Elaine Cooper. This is a fictional account of a true event and real people of the American Revolution—a piece of history of which has me itching to take a trip to the Boston area even more than I had wanted before.

Jason Russell House

March 1775 – “Be not ye afraid of them; remember the Lord which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives and your houses.”

Betsy shuddered as Reverend Cooke bellowed from the pulpit… Thoughts of her parents and Noah as they melted down the pewter plates after breakfast this morning filled her mind with terror. Their very utensils being turned into musket balls!... Surely this could not happen in her village. [Chapter 5; page 28]

Gleaned from the pages of American history, Ms. Cooper brought this little known battle, which took the lives of more soldiers from both sides than any other battle in the war, to life through the life of 18-year-old Betsy, daughter of Jason Russell. From the musket blasts to the sickening smells of death, she captures the sights, sounds, smells, and the tension of one horrific day and the days, weeks, and months of the aftermath.

Patriots' mass grave

14 April 1775 – I cannot sleep. My mind races with thinking of the countenances in Menotomy, so filled with resignation. They speak without using words. Never has silence screamed so loudly. I cover my own ears with my hands but ‘tis useless. For the voices shout inside my own mind telling the same terrifying declarations. War is at hand. [Chapter 7; page 39]

Betsy learns powerful lessons of courage, strength, and forgiveness, which her father taught her through word and example. She learns to lean on the God of her father as she watches the dirt tossed upon his and the bodies of eleven other brave patriots, as she helps scrub the blood-stained floors of her home, and she serves as nurse to a dying enemy soldier.

May 3, 1775 – “Aye, sir. My father did not allow his passion for freedom to interfere with his obedience to God. He used to tell me, ‘Betsy, ‘tis imperative to forgive. ‘Tis the Lord’s command.’” [Chapter 19; page 121]

 

 

Order your copy of “Fields of the Fatherless” today at Amazon.com. And check out the author’s website at http://www.elainemariecooper.com/ to learn more about the Deer Run series of books.