CROWN & COVENANT TRILOGY
"My son just devoured the awesome Crown and Covenant series! He tells us you are the next C. S. Lewis!" D. G., Ohio
"High-intensity adventures. You will be on the edge of your seat in suspense." Rainbow Resource Center, Inc.
"Unleashes the
reader's imagination--a rip-roaring good yarn." George Grant
Ideas for a series of
historical fiction books celebrating the faith and trials of the Scottish
Covenanters in the 17th century began
brewing in the author's mind in the spring of 1999. While
on his third trip to Scotland Bond was
reading a
scholarly (and rather turgid) history of the Covenanters. It was then that early notes and ideas
began forming. After checking Let the Authors Speak, a curriculum
reference book detailing historical periods and fiction books in print on that
history, Bond found that only one other work of historical fiction was currently in print on the
Covenanters, Sir Walter Scott's Old Mortality, by no means a favorable portrayal
of these Christians. Bond proposed the series to P&R
Publishing, the publisher he was convinced would do the finest job of publishing
these books. He has not been disappointed. The author has since traveled
three more times to Scotland, stomping over most of the places described
in the books, including spending most of a rainy summer there with his patient wife and children.
Above right, meet the author's eldest son, Rhodri Douglas Bond, here pictured
competing in a bagpipe competition at the Kelso Highlander Festival, named for
Kelso, Scotland. The illustrations at right show how ideas for the cover art
developed. Rebel's Keep gets its title from Loudoun Keep, pictured
at
the far right, one of a number of ancient
fortified houses throughout Scotland. This keep is in the village of Newmilns,
Ayrshire, in Scotland. In1685, it was the site of a daring rescue of eight
Covenanter prisoners arrested at an illegal conventicle meeting for prayer and
Bible reading at nearby 
Little Blackwood Farm. Rebel's Keep is the chronicle of
the trials and adventures of the M'Kethe family as they do their best to "Uphold
the crown rights of the Redeemer in his Kirk," all while attempting to
honor King Charles II and later James II during the period of fiercest
persecution in Scotland justly called by historians "The Killing Time."
At left, meet Eric and Irene MacCallum, dear friends, and gracious host and
hostess to the author and his family. Here pictured with author and Brittany on
a walking trip to Culzean Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland, in April, 2006. Learn more about the Weapons and Warfare
of the Covenanters.
Send your questions or comments about the books to douglas@bondbooks.net
HOW
TO ORDER BOOKS
Visit Ray Van Neste's reviews of books by Bond: The Children's Hour
"Seamlessly weaving fact and fiction, Bond's richly textured stories [are] breathtaking adventures." Christian Book Distributors (CBD)
"Douglas Bond has introduced a new generation to the heroics of the Scottish Covenanters, and he has done it in a delightful way. A gripping tale full of action, purpose, principle, and character." Ligon Duncan, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi
According to A. Douglas Lamb, Scottish Covenanters Memorials
Association, Scotland, Duncan's War is "A splendid tale told with imagination
and skill, set against an authentic background. Enjoy it, learn from it, and
be grateful."
George Grant wrote after reading Duncan's War that it "Unleashes the reader's imagination--a rip-roaring good yarn."
Sinclair B. Ferguson, St. George's-Tron Parish Church, Glasgow, wrote that Duncan's War "Will lift you into the 17th century and onto the moorlands of Scotland. This is the danger-zone inhabited by evil, danger, death, courage, and faith. A story not to be missed."
(Above/right, Loudoun Keep with monument to John Law who died at the rescue featured in Rebel's Keep.)
Start a Book Club! Click for ideas how to get started. Crown & Covenant Books make wonderful Book Club selections.
READERS' COMMENTS
Hello Mr.
and Mrs. Bond,
This past winter our family read aloud together through the Crown and
Covenant Trilogy. What a great way to learn and have great family time
together.
We just finished Hostage Lands, and had much trouble putting it
down. We all read much, and we are familiar with the great authors. You are a
great writer and communicator.
Keep up the good work. You are doing a great service to families, and the church
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sincerely,
Bill Busshaus
To read a sample chapter of a new book by Douglas Bond, click here: Books in Progress
Send your reader comments: (douglas@bondbooks.net )
"We Hardily Recommend this Book" (Todd & Terri - KnowledgeQuestMaps.com),
February 23
"We started reading Duncan's War by Douglas Bond together as a
family sometime during the fall. We became so excited about the story that we
had to put the children under strict orders not to touch the book during the
day, but they had to wait until family reading hour. "No Peeking!" was the
command they would hear when their hand would reach slyly for the book on the
end table.
"Duncan's War is followed by King's Arrow and then finally
Rebel's Keep. This series, called the Crown and Covenant, follows the
lives of the M'Kethe family during 17th Century Scotland as they endured
brutal persecution at the hand of King James and King Charles. Those that
remained loyal to King Jesus called themselves the Scottish Covenanters. This
is the story of those who must wrestle with honoring God and applying His word
while living amidst a government that is trying to obliterate Christianity.
"As a reader, I was particularly struck with what I would do if I were in this
situation with my own family. I had to grapple
with the scriptures as I put myself in their shoes. As a father and a
Christian, I want to honor God and obey His word above all else. And yet I
desire desperately to protect my children from all outside harm. In the story,
the children watch their father's actions as he attempts to obey King Jesus
above all others, and while they do not fully understand them at the time,
they come to appreciate them more fully later as they grow and mature. The
father never compromises his integrity in the midst of war. He clearly keeps
the perspective that this life on earth is not the only one we live for. There
is one to come. How we live and die here will show Whom it is we honor. This
is how I want to live. I want to set a strong example for my children as I
live out God's word even during difficult times. While reading these stories,
I was struck once again that how we live in this life has implications in the
next. We are to live for the Audience of One." (learn more about the new
study guide to
the Crown & Covenant Trilogy)
(This Oct. 28th, 2006 reader comment particularly blessed me! DB)
Jimmy Williams
Rev. Robert Rayburn, Rev. Richard DeMass, and Elders (please forward to the elders as appropriate):
First and foremost, thank you for welcoming us to your congregation. .. it has been like drinking cool sweet refreshing water to worship with you. Each one in our family (including Simona, Samuel, and Sionna) has been richly blessed by your ministry to us, the faithful and effective preaching of God’s word, the God centered worship, the music, and the people who have shown a personal interest in us. We can honestly say that we look forward to each Lord’s Day with you and that you have been instrumental in helping us to call the Sabbath our delight. Thank you!...
Obviously we come from afar and that inhibits us from being an active part of your local church community. Nonetheless, the Sunday drives have actually been quite pleasant as we have been reading Doug Bond’s books. Once as we pulled into the parking lot while at a very exciting and suspenseful part in the book we even wished for a church farther away so we could keep reading....
In Christ our Lord,
Doug & Mary Lynn Spear
ps: The truth is we have finished reading all of Doug Bonds books and it seems his publisher is in no hurry to release the next one. Regrettably, this inhibits our ability to drive an hour to church. Although I have not spoken with Jason on the matter yet, I expect he is capable of writing some short stories that will suffice for the ten minute drive to EPC.
Mr. Bond,
First I wanted to thank you for the wonderful "Crown and Covenant" series that you have written. I was introduced to those books by a friend and could barely put them down to sleep. My younger brother also immensely enjoyed them. I only wish that I could imitate the Scottish brogue well enough to read them aloud to the youngest of my family! I think what I liked best about them was the way you showed Sandy M'Kethe's struggle with when and if fighting is the way to go. Not long after reading the "Crown and Covenant" books, my older brother brought up that very topic and I had a clearer idea of how to explain my point from reading those stories. Many thanks for all that you do.
In the King's service,
Brittanie Lassiter
Texas
Dear Mr. Bond,
Mr. Bond,
I am 14 years old and I really enjoy your Crown and Covenant series. I got
the first 3 for Christmas and read them all in about 1 1/2 weeks! Right
now I am in the process of reading the series for the 2ed time. I was sooo
excited when I visited your website the other day and found you are writing a
4th book! I was wondering when it's due to be published? I am greatly looking
forward to reading it and following the M'Kethe family on more wonderful
adventures!
Thank you,
Jaimie Tate
Dear Mr. Bond,
I am looking forward to reading all of your books. Right now I'm on chapter 4 (Duncan's
War), and it's one of the best books I have ever read.
Caleb Nicholas Carter
May, 2005
Hello Mr Bond,
I have been reading your books aloud to my 8 & 10 yr old boys. We all
thoroughly enjoyed each one. This evening Books a Million called to say Rebel's
Keep was in. Of course, we couldn't wait to pick it up. And I couldn't wait to
read it for myself. My kids are disappointed when I read ahead but I was eager
to see how the story would unfold. So after they went to bed I finished the
book. I was reluctant to say good bye to the M'Kethe family & hoped you would
consider a book on Jaime & Fiona. But we will look forward to hearing about
Malcolm & his clan in the colonies (Books in
Progress). WE have also started reading aloud our 1st Mr Pipes book. We look forward to reading everything that you write. Thanks for
writing stories about characters with such godly character & knowledge of The
Word. We appreciate your hard work!
Kris V., Florida
Doug,
I bought Duncan's War from Amazon and gave it to Natalie to read. She
devoured it. Then she gave it the highest compliment: "Dad, I liked it
BETTER than Harry Potter!" We really like the Harry Potter series because
of the interesting characters and all the cool imagery. As a ten-year-old,
they got Austin interested in reading when nothing else interested him.
Natalie, too. But, as much as she enjoyed them, she liked yours better
because the characters seemed real. Most kids differentiate fantasy from
reality. They know cartoons aren't real life. She liked yours better
because it seemed real to her. Rachel bought the second one yesterday at Logos
and Natalie disappeared to
her room early last night. She is now well into it. Austin is halfway through
Duncan's War. I think you've got some winners on you hands!
Paul, Hawaii
Mr. Bond, I would like to thank you for writing the Crown and Covenant series! I love Scottish history but have never been able to find any good Christian books about the Covenanters or Scots historical figures like William Wallace or Robert de Bruce. You have rescued me! The books transport me to the 1600's and make everything seem alive! Please, keep up the good work and bring the M'Kethes home! God Bless! Hannah R.
Oct. 15, 2004
Dear Mr. Bond,
I love your books!!!! My brother and I have bought all three of your books Duncan's War, Kings Arrow, and Rebel's Keep as they came out. And we LOVE them!!! I wanted to thank you for not filling then with romance. I am the oldest of six kids and we are a conservative home school family. When I read your books it is just as if I am with Duncan and Angus. My brother Jim (13 years old) and I have enjoyed reading and discussing your books. And surprisingly enough, my name is Lyndsey Duncan. The only thing different is my name is spelled different than Lindsay’s. At this time I have completed four books and hope to someday write wholesome books for teen girls. Please keep writing!!!! May the Lord BLESS you and keep you today. And may he bless the words you write as you seek to express the thrilling story of the M'Kethe brothers (and son).
Author in training, Lyndsey R. Duncan (15 years old)
Duncan's War
"First story in the outstanding Crown & Covenant Series, set in 17th
century Scotland! Young Duncan M'Kethe finds himself caught up in the web of Sir
James Turner, the former Covenanter who has turned traitor to lead their
opposing persecutors. Duncan is torn by his hatred for Turner's Dragoons, who
have treated his friends cruelly, and his father's instruction to love one's
enemies. He must be true to Jesus Christ while attempting to rescue his father
from enemy hands. These stories, drawing from a heroic time in church history,
will help your young reader be grateful that we are free from tyranny, with
liberty bestowed by God."
1
2
3
4 
5
From left to right, scenes from Duncan's War: 1. The Gordon Aisle of the old St. John's, Dalry parish church where Duncan and Jamie hid during the service with drunk curate, George Henry presiding. 2. St. Bride's Church where Matthew Paton made shoes for Duncan. 3. The monument to John Crookshanks and others who fell at the Battle of Rullion Green, 1666. 4. Sheep graze peacefully on the battlefield. 5. Turnhouse Hill rises above the battlefield. HOW TO ORDER BOOKS
| King's Arrow |
 |
"The second story in the outstanding Crown & Covenant Series! Angus
M'Kethe, a capable archer, guards his sheep from scavenging crows. Loyal to his
family, Angus must match wits in a life and death struggle against the
Highlanders in their determination to persecute Christians in the land. Will the
Covenanters be found guilty? These stories, drawing from a heroic time in church
history, will help your young reader be grateful that we are free from tyranny,
with liberty bestowed by God."
1
2 
3
4 
5 
6 
Scenes from Duncan's War and King's Arrow from left to right: 1. The current Duke of Argyll, host of the Inverary Games. 2. Site of the Battle of Drumclog, 1679. 3. Ruins of St. Andrew's Cathedral, Samuel Rutherford's grave below and left. 4. Grave of shoemaker Matthew Paton, in Loudoun Parish Church yard, Newmilns. 5. Minister of the Church of Scotland, David Grant "preaching" at Pedan's Point, site of field meeting worship in the Lynn Glen, near Dalry, Ayrshire (the author is indebted to this saintly man for assistance in the research). 6. The monument to the 18,000 Covenanters who died for Christ's Crown and Covenant, Greyfriar's Abbey, Edinburgh, where the National Covenant was first signed in 1638. HOW TO ORDER BOOKS
June 29, 2003, educator, Katy Johnson, Staff Development, Tacoma Public School District writes:
I much enjoyed King's Arrow! You draw, within the
story, a beautiful and compelling picture of true Christian faith in practice in
a family and in a young boy's transition into maturity. One of the aspects of
the book I most appreciate is the way you let us see Angus's interior life and
his thinking about both ordinary and extraordinary challenges--how inspiring,
and, perhaps, confirming of the rightness of a thought life informed by
Christian truths this will be for your young readers. I must say, too, that I
love your storytelling voice! I felt myself engaging with Angus from the first
page and wondering how his skill as an archer would weave into the plot. You
certainly built a strong momentum as the story evolved. The scenes in the barn
and the well were realistic and scary! And the way that Boig appeared here--and
at the story's end was a surprising and thought-provoking twist. I am looking
forward with pleasure to the next installment! Katy Johnson, Tacoma Public
Schools
Cedric Bond with a Highlander, not unlike the ones in King's Arrow. Scotland has Highland Games throughout the week and all summer long. Here at the Callander Games, Cedric and his sister (not shown) competed in Highland dance.
For more information about the weapons and warfare of the Covenanters click here:
More Reader comments:
Doug! The M`Kethe's are stranded on the high seas and I'm pleading with you to bring them to America. Having finished the Series that left me hungry for the American experience... Right now I have on my coffee table the latest P & R catalog with its sole advertisement of REBEL'S KEEP on the front cover. I always do my own "PR" when friends stop by. Hey, I impress them with your grad photo and the now more than 20 years ago thank-you note with YOUR SIGNATURE on it (written just before our trips to Europe). Having gotten all that off my chest--Merry Christmas to you and Cheryl and family. How blessed we are that we know Christ is the center of it all. Phyllis
Dear Mr. Bond,
November,10, 2004
Hi Doug and Cheryl,
August 16, 2004
Dear Mary,
Thanks for helping Mac get his chores done! When your gift [King's Arrow] arrived and Mac opened it, he was so excited he wanted to start reading it right away. I made him finish his chores first. My, what record time! He then eagerly settled down at the dining room table and glued himself into [King's Arrow]. After the first chapter, he wanted to give a report on it. Then he went outside and started measuring how far his homemade bow flew. Mac writes: Thank you for the book. I like it alot [sic]. I made a bow and arrow before King's Arrow came. When it did, I said, "Hey, I have one like that too!"
Love, Deb
Received June 1, 2004
Dear Mr. Bond,
I see on your website that Rebel’s Keep will be published in the summer of 2004. Can you be any more specific? My family and I are anxiously awaiting this book. We love the history and passion that is presented through your writing. These are some of the very best read aloud books that I have ever put my hands on. All of my children, ages 6-13, love these stories and the strong faith of the characters involved in this period of history. Thanks for edifying us while also entertaining us.
James Stull, St. Louis
Received May 27, 2004
Dear Mr. Bond,
I love your books. Your books have increased my interest in reading. I loved Duncan's War so much that I was thrilled when I heard that Crown and Covenant was going to be a series.
Fond Regards, RJ Smith, Arizona
Received May 27, 2004
Dear Mr. Douglas Bond,
Thank you very much for all the effort you put into the books Duncan's War and the sequel King's Arrow. You helped me add to my vocabulary, you made me want to read more books, and also you made me be VERY excited about your next book that should be coming out soon! I can't wait to read it. Thanks again!
Sincerely, N. Johnson, 13, Homeschooler
Received May 27, 2004
Dear Douglas Bond,
Thanks for producing such quality literature for my sons to read. I enjoyed reading your stories to them at "story time". While we were all on the edge of our seats to see what would happen next, I took the opportunities to stop and discuss the significance of what you had said. We discussed the right time to fight, the morality of fighting against an evil government, how to love your enemies and still defend the faith. It was so helpful to have a story like this, based in history, to interest them in deep questions. Our discussions were invaluable. Thank you for making these truths so accessible. God bless you as you continue your work. We look forward to your next book!
Warmly in Christ, D. Monk, Arizona
Received April 6, 2004
"Dear Douglas Bond--
I donnae ken where ye heard of my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather, Angus M'Kethe and his bow. But I hae a heart o' thanks for how ye told of him and Drumclog, and did so whilst reminding me of Richard Cameron, Mr. King, and Thomas Fleming--to say nothing of the artful reminder of Mr. Bunyan's 'little' book. Aye, it was a bonnie, bonnie olde story. May we all strive to mind our duties and leave the events to God.
Yours,
M. M'Kethe XII"
(This was hand written, but I have been careful to reproduce it just as it
arrived in my mailbox)
Received February, 2004
(Urging a friend to tell the author to hurry up and write the third Crown and Covenant book) "I am an old lady and I want to read the next book before I die."
"Dear Mr. Bond--
I'm writing to tell you how much our family has enjoyed reading the Crown and Covenant books. I've never written to an author before, because most other men whose books I've enjoyed are dead! Sir Walter Scott is my FAVORITE author, and he has written several books which cover the same time period. I have to say, however, that he doesn't 'get it' spiritually as you have. Your books have enabled me to read great stories about an important period in history and be blessed spiritually as well. The father, Sandy, is a wonderful Christian hero who has a clear understanding of Scripture. Thank you so much from all of us. Hurry up and write the next book!"
Sincerely, CMS, Middlebrook VA.
Another Reader Writes about Crown and Covenant books:
"A Wonderful Piece of Christian Literature. When I first got Duncan's War, I had no idea about what to expect. It turned out to be a breath of fresh air from the vast inflow of objectionable fiction that is usually sold today. In less than a week I had read it from cover to cover. Along with a fast-paced, excellent plot, this book offers a very Christian worldview, shows clearly the differences between good and evil, and shows how hard it is to obey the Biblical command of loving your enemies. It makes us keenly aware that Christians in the United States today have it easy compared to the fierce persecutions the devout Scots endured and encourages all Christians to stay in the battle."
Readers of Crown and Covenant books, feel free to send your thoughts on the books! douglas@bondbooks.net
Crown & Covenant Shortbread
Next time your family is
settling in to read the Crown & Covenant Trilogy, take a few minutes and whip
up some authentic Glaswegian Shortbread first. This is the real thing! Then,
while it bakes and the delicate aromas of the buttery sweetness fill the
house--read on and enjoy!
Ingredients:
1 lb butter (softened)
4 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
pinch of salt
Directions: Beat butter until creamy, then add sugar; beat again. Slowly add flour... one cup at a time (scrape sides of bowl); add salt. Put into glass baking dish (9x13); pat firmly into dish... look for any large air pockets. Poke holes all over with fork. Bake at 275 for about 1 hour, 15 minutes. Take out of oven. While warm and still in dish, cut into small pieces and sprinkle with sugar. Enjoy! This was the specialty Scottish recipe of my daughter's Highland dance teacher's mother--straight from Scotland! (Next newsletter, how about real Scottish Blood Pudding? Yikes!)
130 pages of materials on all three C&C books!
For homeschool or classroom
Study Guide Contents:
- Duncan's War Study Guide (page numbers for answers)
- Map of Scotland (blank) and geography questions
- Rebel's Keep Study Guide (page numbers for answers)
- Map of Scotland (blank) and geography questions
- King's Arrow Study Guide (page numbers for answers)
- Map of Scotland (blank) and geography questions
- Three selected letters of Samuel Rutherford to young men and study questions.
- Excerpt from Lex Rex on armed resistance by Samuel Rutherford. Essay questions.
- Map of England (blank) and geography questions.
- Symbolism in Crown and Covenant Books (by Leslie Johnson)
- Vocabulary bowl quiz Rebel’s Keep (by Leslie Johnson)
- Vocabulary bowl quiz King’s Arrow (by Leslie Johnson)
- Letter from Future Men Reading Club: helpful Book Club ideas on reading and studying Rebel's Keep
For a more in-depth understanding of the theology of the Covenanters (pg 41 ff)
- Historical summary of Westminster Assembly
- Westminster Shorter Catechism
- Westminster Confession of Faith (full text) and suggested study approach with comparative easy question.
- Scripture proofs for
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Home
Symbolism
And its use in REBEL’S KEEP
Symbol: Something that stands for or suggests something
else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental
resemblance; especially, a visible sign of something invisible (for example, the
lion is a symbol of courage and the cross is a symbol of Christianity). In this
sense all words can be called symbols, but the examples given – the lion and the
cross – are really metaphors: that is, symbols that represent a complex of other
symbols, and which are generally negotiable in a given society (just as money is
a symbol for goods or labor). These are considered public symbols in that they
are universally recognized. The symbols used in literature are often of a
different sort: they are private or personal in that their significance is only
evident in the context of the work in which they appear.
Symbol is distinguished from allegory in that the allegorical figure has no meaning apart from the idea it is meant to indicate within the structure of the allegory, whereas a symbol has a meaning independent of the rest of the narrative in which it appears. A symbol can also have more than one meaning while the meaning of the allegorical figure is clear and specific to the rest of the allegory. (Merriam-Webster’s Reader’s Handbook, p. 498)
The crow appears to symbolize two different ideas in REBEL’S KEEP. One is: love from the unlovely (the private or personal symbol), and the other is: the foreshadowing of death or doom when crows circle (the public symbol). In Rebel’s Keep, the author juxtaposes the common behaviors and understandings about crows with an unusual, almost unbelievable, relationship that the main character has with a pet crow. This juxtaposition allows the author to create a sense of irony within the reader by developing both of these themes simultaneously.
In King’s Arrow we are introduced to Angus’s bird, Flinch, and come to accept this odd carrion crow as does Angus’s family. Later, in Rebel’s Keep the author clearly presents the war within Angus regarding his love/hate relationship to the crow.
"Angus always had mixed feelings about Flinch; he was certain he had. The fact was, he hated crows. He hated their sassy cawing, their pestering ways. He hated what they ate. He hated what they tried to do to newborn lambs too weak to elude the tearing claws and gouging beak of a hungry crow. He hated their ominous circling before a battle. He hated their pecking and tearing – their gorging ways after a battle. No, he hated crow. But, somehow, Flinch had been different. And now Flinch was dead. … He would never hear the King and Kirk from that silly bird again. But try as he might, he could not harden himself against the dead bird." (pg. 112)
Read passages about crows: pgs. 59, 112, 152, 162, 188, 227, & 241. Notice the author’s use of the crow to foreshadow death or doom, to communicate the sting of death, to bring hope, and create levity. The use of the crow theme assists the reader in bridging historical reality with the created narrative and engaging plot of an historical novel.
BY LESLIE JOHNSON, for the Future Men’s Book Club
TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOL PARENTS MIGHT FIND THIS LETTER USEFUL
March 19, 2005
Leslie Johnson
1912 E. Freeport Circle
Gilbert, AZ 85234
Dear Doug,
This week at our Future Men’s Book Club meeting we reviewed REBEL’S KEEP. We had a good meeting and you’ll be happy to know that the boys enjoyed the book very much. The boys ages eleven to fourteen ranked the difficulty of the book between one and three on a one-to-ten scale. (Part of the ease of reading was a familiarity of the Scottish dialect and vocabulary from the previous two Crown and Covenant books) Although an easy read for the boys, they thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, plot, action, and historical setting. Favorite parts of the book included the episode of Angus and Malcolm in the tree above the dragoons, Angus in Loudoun Keep, and when Captain Inglis was prevented from executing his prisoners.
Thank you for sending to me the study guide for this book. It helped me in preparing the discussion time, although, regretfully, our time is limited to three and a half hours only once month and I could not fully utilize the breath of what was in the guide. Limiting discussion and teaching material is always difficult due to my time constraints. It did, however, give me good ideas for the material I chose to present.
Each meeting I teach one aspect of literature; I decided to teach on symbolism from this book based on your use of it in the title of the book. Enclosed is a page I prepared for our meeting that covered symbolism. Following the teaching from the sheet we discussed the use of symbolism in the title. The boys were able to identify the public and private (as described in the Webster definition) understanding and use of symbolism of REBEL’S KEEP. I also taught the boys how to use a concordance when reading literature to help /1470.them find biblical references. Hopefully the boys will learn to make the concordance a friendly reference not only for profitable bible study but also to help them think through biblical ideas presented in literature. Your study guide helped lead me to the idea to teach this.
As you know from my previous letter a highlight of our meetings is the Future Men’s Book Club Bowl (an academic bowl). The WHIGS narrowly edged out the Covenanters by two points winning on the last question. One funny thing that happened during the game was that two of the vocabulary words, benighted and cavalier, were both on previous bowl quizzes, but the boys could not remember their meanings. Vocabulary questions are worth a possible three points: three if they can define the word outright, two if they choose to define the word when given the direct context from the page in the book, or one point if they choose to define the word from the multiple choice options. Both teams had to choose taking the words in context (a difficult choice when each team is counting points and trying hard to win) while they were musing "haven’t we had this word before". I was laughing and told them, yes, they did have the words before and their predicament testified for the need to review. Enclosed you will find a copy of the bowl quiz for REBEL’S KEEP.
Each meeting we also share dinner together. It is at this time when the boys go around the table and rank the book in difficulty and share what they liked or disliked about the book. During this time the episode about the dragoons playing football with the decapitated head came up. The boys of course were all equally appalled at the heartlessness of the dragoons. I used the opportunity of the moment to point out that every unsaved man has that same capability. It is only because of a redeemed heart that any man has the desire to think in a godly, ye a civilized, manner. The soberness of the moment was evident on all their faces when I said this. Bolstering my claim, I referenced the scope of human indignities throughout history. The realization quieted the group in a "God moment" kind of way. It wasn’t something that I planned to talk about, but the boys’ belief that these dragoons were some bad guys in history belies the reality of the fallen condition of man. From my perspective, I think that moment was the spiritual highlight of the night.
One staple to the format of our meetings is the Future Men’s Book Club Reading Journal. I’ll enclose a copy so you can see how it plays into the Book Club Bowl while it also remains the key to the book review.
Thank you for your efforts to produce such fine literature. What a delight is has been to have read all three of the Crown and Covenant books with my book club. When I think of your work I always think of J.F. Baldwin’s admonition that we in the postmodern age must be diligent to lift before our young people heroes in literature and heroes of real life. You are doing this well. Thank you for your continued service to Christ. You are an encouragement to the household of faith.
Sincerely,
Leslie Johnson
Direct questions about using these
books in the classroom or home school: douglas@bondbooks.net
To read a sample chapter of a new book by Douglas Bond, click here: FATHERS AND SONS