Swift and Sure - The Story of a Hydroplane

Herbert Strang

Summary

In "Swift and Sure," Herbert Strang masterfully weaves a tale of adventure and self-discovery, immersing readers in the life of young protagonists navigating the trials of youth against the backdrop of early 20th-century British society. The narrative employs a straightforward yet engaging literary style, characterized by vivid descriptions and lively dialogue that bring the characters and their experiences to life. Strang captures the essence of camaraderie and moral integrity, reflecting the themes of perseverance and ethical growth, which resonate deeply within the context of the era's burgeoning sense of nationalism and cultural identity. Herbert Strang, a notable figure in children's literature during the early 1900s, drew inspiration from his own experiences and the adventures he witnessed in the lives of young people around him. His works often echo the values of bravery and integrity, a reflection of his belief in the importance of character development in youth. Strang'Äôs background as a journalist and editor informed his storytelling, allowing him to blend informative elements with rich narrative structure, making his literary contributions both entertaining and educational. "Swift and Sure" is a commendable read for those who appreciate classic adventure tales imbued with moral lessons. Its exploration of friendship and personal growth makes it particularly relevant for young adults and educators alike, serving as an engaging reminder of the timeless values that shape our journeys. Strang's enthusiastic narrative invites readers to reflect on their own paths and the choices that define them.

Available since: 09/18/2023.

Print length: 124 pages.

Other books that might interest you

House of Eve The: Book summary &...

Margot Langley

This content is an independent and unofficial summary created for informational and educational purposes only. It is not affiliated with, authorized, approved, licensed, or endorsed by the original author or publisher. All rights to the original work belong to its respective copyright holders. This summary is not intended to substitute the original book, but to offer a concise overview and interpretation of its main ideas.

 
Immerse yourself in The House of Eve, a stirring tale of family, resilience, and renewal that will inspire your own journey toward purpose. When interior architect Eden “Edee” Collins returns to her childhood home on Atlanta’s Westside, she confronts the ghosts of her past—her mother’s mysterious disappearance and the silent absence of her twin sister. Armed with her design expertise and a fierce determination, Edee unearths hidden journals, deciphers haunting sketches, and enlists old friends to map out long-buried truths.
 
As the sisters reunite and transform their decaying family house into a vibrant community arts center, listeners will feel the pulse of transformation—every renovated room, every shared story, every petal of the newly bloomed rose a testament to courage in action. With vivid storytelling, immersive scene-setting, and motivational insights on agile collaboration and ethical leadership, this audiobook offers more than a narrative: it’s a blueprint for converting personal loss into collective strength.

Show book

Three Hot Air Balloons

Matylda Laurence

A poignant short story based on a real life observation set in the Cambridgeshire countryside of England. Just as Destiny touched me I was to meet a stranger, not face to face but by 13 words he wrote that day in a little red book. Only later did the irony become significant through words, photographs and a meeting of minds. Was this by chance? Or rather perhaps a time capsule of events and connections resulting in this most interesting of outcomes. Suffice to say that one thing definitely leads to another when researching the archives of English history. Fascinating...

Show book

The Last Lion - A tale of change...

Vicente Blasco Ibáñez

Vicente Blasco Ibáñez was born in Valencia, Spain on 29th January 1867.

At university, he studied law and graduated in 1888 but never felt the urgency to practice - he was more interested in politics, journalism, literature and women.

Politically he was a militant Republican partisan and, in his youth, founded a newspaper, El Pueblo (The People). The newspaper was taken to court many times and he made many enemies. In one incident he was shot and almost killed. In 1896, Ibáñez was arrested and sentenced to a few months in prison.

Despite this colourful background he found time to write novels. His first published work was ‘La Araña Negra’ (The Black Spider) in 1892, a work that he later repudiated although at the time it was a useful vehicle for him to express his anti-clerical views.

In 1894, he published ‘Arroz y Tartana’ (Airs and Graces), about a late 19th Century widow in Valencia trying to keep up appearances in order to marry her daughters well.

Ibáñez’s next sequence of books studied rural life in the farmlands of Valencia and failed to gain much of an audience.

His writing now took on a new direction with its now familiar sensational and melodramatic themes in 1908 with ‘Sangre y Arena’ (Blood and Sand), which follows the career of Juan Gallardo from his poor beginnings as a child in Seville, to his rise to becoming a famous matador in Madrid

However, his greatest success was ‘Los Cuatro Jinetes del Apocalipsis (The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse) in 1916, which tells a tangled tale of the French and German sons-in-law of an Argentinian land-owner who find themselves fighting on opposite sides in the First World War. It was a literary and commercial sensation and became the best-selling book of 1919. It also propelled Rudolph Valentino to stardom in the 1921 film.

Ironically his fame in the English-speaking world has come not as a novelist but as the stories behind some of Hollywood’s greatest silent movies.

Vicente Blasco Ibáñez died in Menton, France on January 28th, 1928, the day before his 61st birthday.

Show book

A Christmas Vanishing

Anne Perry

Charlotte Pitt’s clever grandmother investigates the sudden disappearance of a dear friend in this chilling whodunit, the final holiday novel by the late New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry. 
 
Mariah Ellison, Charlotte Pitt’s grandmother, accepts an invitation to spend Christmas with her longtime friend Sadie and Sadie’s husband, Barton, in their picturesque village. But upon arrival, Mariah discovers that Sadie has vanished without a trace, and Barton rudely rescinds the invitation.  
Once Mariah finds another acquaintance to stay with, she begins investigating Sadie’s disappearance. 
 
Mariah’s uncanny knack for solving mysteries serves her well during her search, which is driven by gossip as icy as the December weather. Did Sadie run off with another man? Was she kidnapped? Has someone harmed her? Frustratingly, her neighbors’ questions reveal more about the villagers  
themselves than about Sadie’s whereabouts. Yet in the process of getting to know Sadie’s friends, Mariah finds a kind of redemption, as she rediscovers her kinder side and her ability to love. 
 
It is up to Mariah to master her own feelings, drown out the noise, and get to the bottom of what occurred, all before Christmas Day. With the holiday rapidly approaching, will she succeed in bringing Sadie home in time for them to celebrate together—or is that too much to hope for?

Show book

Songs of the Conqueror: Book...

Alexander Pike

This content is an independent and unofficial summary created for informational and educational purposes only. It is not affiliated with, authorized, approved, licensed, or endorsed by the original author or publisher. All rights to the original work belong to its respective copyright holders. This summary is not intended to substitute the original book, but to offer a concise overview and interpretation of its main ideas.
 

Songs of the Conqueror is a sweeping saga of ambition, legacy, and the relentless pursuit of destiny. Through battles fought in blood and hearts won through fire, the story follows a legendary figure whose name echoes across kingdoms and generations. As empires rise and fall, and loyalty is tested by the lure of power, the conqueror must grapple with the cost of greatness—and the melodies of sacrifice that accompany it. Lyrical, powerful, and deeply human, Songs of the Conqueror captures the epic spirit of conquest and the enduring strength of dreams forged in adversity. Perfect for fans of historical epics and character-driven adventures, this audiobook delivers a captivating journey through triumph, betrayal, and the haunting songs that history never forgets.

Show book

The Green God

L. Ron Hubbard

The entire Chinese city of Tientsin is under siege from within — the streets filled with rioting, arson, mass looting and murder. And all because the city's sacred idol, the Green God, has gone missing. Lieutenant Bill Mahone of Naval Intelligence is on a mission to find it. But he's walking a razor's edge — between worship and warfare, between a touch of heaven and a taste of bloody hell. What does a near-death experience sound like? Find out, as the audio version of The Green God gives new meaning to the word escapism — escape from a crazed mob, escape from the clutches of a torturer, escape from an early grave.

Show book