REVIEWS
"The story line is readily apparent and comes to life on the first page, drawing the reader in. The author's writing style is strong and clear, conversational and descriptive. He has a talent for making the characters real from their introduction whcih is a good tool and does much to carry the story along...This is a well-written perspective of history--an intriguing one that makes historical events come alive in a way many will enjoy."
-- Writer's Showcase Reviewer
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"History Come Alive
A Bee in His Bonnet is a book which brought back many pleasant memories. The main character, Frank King, was my uncle's father-in-law and I eagerly spent many hours listening to him recount his exploits in the military. This oral history so fascinated me that it was a major factor in my becoming a history teacher. I used the stories in this book to teach about the 1860 - 1958 period as part of a grant from the American Bar Association. A Bee in His Bonnet is history come alive!"
-- Leonne Lizotte, a tchr./coord. K-12 Soc. Studies, Barnes & Noble.com, Rating *****
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"A Story For All Ages
Here is an historical novel to interest anyone. I liked it because I am a military history buff, and it covers a period of time often overshadowed by current events. The main character is an ordinary man who led a fascinating life. I highly recommend this book."
-- Dolores Tower, R.N., B.S., Barnes & Noble.com, Rating ****
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"Paving The Way For 'The Greatest Generation'
Tom Brokaw's "The Greatest Generation" captivated America with its account of a generation and a nation defined by war. By looking back at World War II America, Brokaw helped Americans understand our older generations, as well as our nation, as it was before and is now. We find links to past struggles and victories that established our way of life. But America's history dates back further than World War II.
A Bee in His Bonnet is an action packed, creative non-fiction biography. The story starts strong and holds interest throughout especially due to the author's writing style that is strong and clear, conversational, and descriptive. He has a talent for making the characters real from their introduction, which is a good tool that does much to carry the story along.
Author Bernard Fleury begins his story by relating how Stephen King, Frank's father, and Stephen's brother, James, came to the Americas in 1860 as part of Prince Albert Edward's entourage. A seemingly genetic predisposition towards adventure led James and Stephen into an escapade in the Canadian wilderness, where an uncanny incident led to Stephen meeting his future Ojibway bride, an event which was the beginning of the King family presence in the New World for generations to come.
"A Bee in His Bonnet" offers readers a look into the life of an American soldier, Frank King, Fleury's grandfather, who came to America in 1898 and stayed to become a career army man, profuse diarist, and world traveler. He fought in wars that few of us know, but whose repercussions are still felt today: The Spanish-American War, The Philippine Insurrection, and World War I. King's Company G, Eighth Infantry was involved in the earliest documented American anti-terrorist campaigns in the Philippine Insurrection. King was present for the capture of Aguinaldo, and during his second tour there was personally instrumental in the capture of the Bin Laden of his day, Faustino Ablen. He served in the famous Third Division in World War I. He was officially cited twice for his heroism and the part he played in the famous battles at Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Chateau Thiery, under General John Pershing who attended Frank's retirement, and personally presenting his retirement papers.
Fleury provides a rich historical accounting, as well as a look at the perceptions and emotions of one man who lived through an era that would later define international geopolitics and the American worldwide dynasty. This story should be of interest to a wide audience, especially those who enjoy creative non-fiction biography/history and who would like to experience the 1860-1958 era, through the eyes and life of a man who had a wandering Bee in his Bonnet that carried him to Canada, the United States, Latin America, the Philippines, Japan, and Europe. Frank King's generation was the Great Generation that prepared the way for Tom Brokaw's "The Greatest Generation."
-- Edgar C. Alward, Professor Emeritus and Owner/Publisher of Esparto Press, Barnes & Noble.com, Rating *****
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An amazing story! I've read most of the book and it's well written. It's an easy read. It's understandable. It flows nicely. It's an enormous amount of work!
-- Richard Ryder, WBTN RADIO, Bennington, Vermont, Radio Interview
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CCTV, Concord, New Hampshire
Presentation and Review
(Click video below to see the television interview)
