Marquis de Lafayette

Children's Literature

One of the most compelling aspects of French General Marquis de Lafayette's life was his sympathy to the Patriot cause during the American Revolution. This book covers Lafayette's life, from his childhood education through his military assistance to America and his tumultuous later years in France. It is straightforward but reads less like an interesting biography than like a well-polished school report. The book dutifully records Lafayette's contributions to the American and French Revolutions, but it doesn't quite capture the complete story of a man whose life spanned two continents and two wars. While readers may come away with a good grasp of the man's accomplishment, they may never feel that they have been inside his head. However, there are enough intriguing details that curious readers should be motivated to seek additional information. The text is large and the color illustrations inviting, although sometimes the photo choices seem lazy. If, as the book claims, "Lafayette's memory lives on in America" through streets and buildings named for him, surely there exists a better example than the Lafayette (Louisiana) Hilton Hotel, which in this picture does not even exhibit the word "Lafayette." An index, glossary, timeline and limited bibliography are included, making this an adequate, but not outstanding, reference work. It is part of the series, "The Library of American Lives and Times." 2002, PowerPlus Books/Rosen Publishing Group,
— Diane Frook