Title: A Sailor’s Tale: Miss Judith 1898 -1902 Miss Molly
Author: E. G. ‘Lusko
Publisher: Edward Hlusko
ISBN: 978-1959071969
Pages: 386
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Reviewed by: Tony Espinoza
Hollywood Book Reviews
In our modern world, history has never felt closer than it does now. With the advancement of technology, people around the world have been able to gain access to the past, from using LIDAR systems to uncover ancient cities buried underneath vast jungles, to deep sea divers discovering monuments, to ancient civilizations. Yet one of the most compelling uses of technology for the everyday person is none other than genealogy, and using DNA test kits to discover our ancestors and where they come from.
Yet even before the advancement of this technology, windows into a person’s past could be found in the relics left behind over the centuries by our ancient relatives. In author E. G. ‘Lusko’s A Sailor’s Tale: Miss Judith 1898 – 1902 Miss Molly, the author returns to the letters between a US Naval sailor and his niece, Miss Judith. Taking readers through the exchanges between the two relatives, they are treated to the more dangerous and compelling experiences this sailor had during this era, including tense exchanges with Caribbean pirates and exchanges with his superiors. The letters also reveal his short yet engaging relationships with the women he met throughout his travels as well, giving both his niece and modern readers a glimpse into the sailor’s personal life like never before.
A truly captivating book, the author does an incredible job of improving upon the language and grammar of the original letters written by QMC (the sailor), while still retaining the events and experiences that the sailor conveyed to his niece. The juxtaposition of knowing the young woman, Miss Judith, living in this small town living a quiet life with the vast experiences of the sailor and his many adventures was thoughtfully presented, and the tension that mounted during these situations, whether it was the standoff with the pirates they encountered or the moment he had a flag blessed by a Spanish priest in order to ward off a “curse” endured on a nautical holiday on the ship, allowed the reader to see the mindset and thought process of a sailor during this era of history.
This is the perfect read for those who enjoy non-fiction reads, especially those that speak to personal family stories and a twist of historical non-fiction as well. The author is really able to capture the personal and honest nature of the letters, and the level of detail the author is able to bring forth from these letters allow the reader to be transported to this period of time. The experiences of life at sea and the connection the sailor had with his niece as he brings his experiences to her will keep readers thoroughly engaged in this book. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy of this series today!