Review of
The First Book Edition of The Man Without
a Country, by Edward Everett Hale
Five out of five stars
A classic short story of America
Like many other
children growing up in the United States, I read this fictional book when I was
in grade school. It has many human themes, from patriotism to regrets to punishment
for indiscretion. The main character is Philip Nolan, an army officer that fought
well and became involved with former vice President Aaron Burr. At the time of
this association, Burr was engaged in potentially treasonous activities against
the United States.
When a military
tribunal was trying Nolan, he exclaimed that he wished he had never heard of
the United States. As punishment, he was sentenced to spend the rest of his
life aboard military ships on the oceans and no shipmate was ever allowed to
mention anything about the events or subsequent history of the United States.
It is a story
of regret and courage, for the ships Nolan was on were warships that engaged in
fights. As an experienced artilleryman, Nolan once took charge of a cannon and
kept it firing when many of the crew were killed or wounded.
One of the best
short stories ever published, this is a story of patriotism expressed quietly.
There was no reason for Nolan’s sentence not to be commuted, yet the fact that
it wasn’t makes this a tragedy as well.
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