I read several books by Davenport Steward back in the 70s and generally enjoyed them. Steward was an historical novelist who wrote during the 1950s. They Had a Glory was written in 1952 and it definitely showed its age although it was still enjoyable.
The novel was about a group of settlers who struggle to eke out an existence in Kentucky during the 1780s. The main protagonist, Munro Dunbar, was an ex-soldier who fought with Marion's Brigade in South Carolina during the Revolution. He and another ex-soldier are on the way to his home but they find out that he has been cheated out of his land. So they decide to join a group headed to "Kaintuck" via the Wilderness Trail and the Cumberland Gap.
Another person in the group, Alison Kent, is fleeing from her abusive husband. Of course romance blossoms between Munro and Alison when her husband who was following her gets killed. There are also a couple of malcontents in the party who wind up inciting the Indians to attack the whites in Kentucky.
Overall, the book was like seeing a movie from the 40s or 50s with the Native Americans portrayed as the villains even though the whites were stealing their land and killing them to ensure their safety on their homesteads. Women were also portrayed as subservient along with the blacks and their usefulness as slaves. Not very politically correct by today's standards. But, the novel was well-researched and described the hardships of the early settlers of Kentucky including sickness and death. Mild overall recommendation.
The novel was about a group of settlers who struggle to eke out an existence in Kentucky during the 1780s. The main protagonist, Munro Dunbar, was an ex-soldier who fought with Marion's Brigade in South Carolina during the Revolution. He and another ex-soldier are on the way to his home but they find out that he has been cheated out of his land. So they decide to join a group headed to "Kaintuck" via the Wilderness Trail and the Cumberland Gap.
Another person in the group, Alison Kent, is fleeing from her abusive husband. Of course romance blossoms between Munro and Alison when her husband who was following her gets killed. There are also a couple of malcontents in the party who wind up inciting the Indians to attack the whites in Kentucky.
Overall, the book was like seeing a movie from the 40s or 50s with the Native Americans portrayed as the villains even though the whites were stealing their land and killing them to ensure their safety on their homesteads. Women were also portrayed as subservient along with the blacks and their usefulness as slaves. Not very politically correct by today's standards. But, the novel was well-researched and described the hardships of the early settlers of Kentucky including sickness and death. Mild overall recommendation.
