Review of "Boltwood of Yale," by Gilbert Patten

Review of

Boltwood of Yale, by Gilbert Patten


Four out of five stars

 Copyrighted in 1914, this book is a look back at the style of books written for young men at that time. Roger Boltwood is the son of a very wealthy man and he is about to turn 21. Up to this point his father has supported him and bailed him out of his misadventures that included getting in automobile accidents. His father has reached the point where he has had enough and tells him that as of his twenty-first birthday, he will no longer be supporting him financially.

 Roger is planning on going back to Yale in the fall, even though he had an extremely poor academic performance the past year and did not formally move to the next academic level. Instead of pouting, Roger decides that he is going to make it on his own and plans accordingly. He is fortunate to win an auto race that gives him enough money to register for fall classes.

 Once back on campus in the cheaper dorms with a roommate, Roger applies himself and is convinced to try out for the football team. At first, he is a lower level scrub, but through injuries to those ahead of him and diligent work, he reaches the point where he gets into the lineup on occasion. He has to deal with his former friends, some enemies and a dishonest roommate, but at the end he gets into the big game against Harvard.

 While the story itself is not that exciting, it is interesting due to the style of the writing. Some of the words are outdated in usage, for example a man is referred to as a “gay fellow.” I enjoyed it as a look back in time, something that all people should do as long as they are willing to accept words and phrases that some now find objectionable.