Joseph Alexander Altsheler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Alexander Altsheler
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| Born | April 29, 1862 Three Springs, Hart County, Kentucky |
| Died | June 5, 1919 (aged 57) New York City |
| Occupation | Novelist |
| Nationality | American |
| Period | 1896-1919 |
Joseph Alexander Altsheler (born April 29, 1862 – died June 5, 1919) was an American writer. He was famous for writing exciting historical fiction books for young people. He wrote many stories, including fifty novels and at least fifty-three short stories.
Thirty-two of his novels were part of seven different book series. These series covered many historical periods. Even though each book in a series tells its own story, Altsheler suggested a reading order for them. The other eighteen novels can be read in any order.
About Joseph Altsheler
His Early Life and Schooling
Joseph Altsheler was born in Three Springs, Hart County, Kentucky. His parents were Joseph and Louise Altsheler. He went to Liberty College in Glasgow, Kentucky. After that, he studied at Vanderbilt University.
His Career as a Writer
In 1885, Altsheler started working as a reporter for the Louisville Courier-Journal newspaper. Later, he became an editor there. In 1892, he joined the New York World newspaper. He first worked as a reporter in Hawaii. Then, he became the editor for the World's magazine, which came out three times a week.
He started writing stories for children because the magazine needed more content. This is how he began his career as a popular author for young readers.
His Family Life
Joseph Altsheler married Sarah Boles on May 30, 1888. They had one son named Sidney.
In 1914, Altsheler and his family were in Germany when World War I started. They were stuck there for a while. The difficult journey back to the United States made Altsheler very sick. He was not well until he passed away. After returning home, he wrote The World War Series of books. These stories were based on his experiences during the war.
His Passing
Joseph Altsheler died in New York City on June 5, 1919. He was 57 years old. His wife, Sarah, passed away 30 years later. Both are buried at the Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.
Many of Altsheler's books are available online for free. You can also find printed copies of his works.
Joseph Altsheler's Book Series
Joseph Altsheler wrote many popular book series. Each series tells stories from a specific historical time.
The Gold Series
- V1 The Rainbow of Gold (1898)
- V2 The Hidden Mine (1896)
The Young Trailers Series
This series follows young characters in early Kentucky.
- V1 The Young Trailers, a story of early Kentucky (1907)
- V2 The Forest Runners, a story of the great war trail in early Kentucky (1908)
- V3 The Keepers of the Trail, a story of the great woods (1916)
- V4 The Eyes of the Woods, a story of the ancient wilderness (1917)
- V5 The Free Rangers, a story of the early days along the Mississippi (1909)
- V6 The Riflemen of the Ohio, a story of early days along "the beautiful river" (1910)
- V7 The Scouts of the Valley, a story of Wyoming and the Chemung (1911)
- V8 The Border Watch, a story of the great chief's last stand (1912)
The French and Indian War Series
These books are set during the French and Indian War.
- V1 The Hunters of the Hills, a story of the French and Indian War (1916)
- V2 The Shadow of the North, a story of old New York and a lost campaign (1917)
- V3 The Rulers of the Lakes, a story of George and Champlain (1917)
- V4 The Masters of the Peaks, a story of the great north woods (1918)
- V5 The Lords of the Wild, a story of the old New York border (1919)
- V6 The Sun of Quebec, a story of a great crisis (1919)
The Texan Series
This series tells stories about the fight for Texas independence.
- V1 The Texan Star, the story of a great fight for liberty (1912)
- V2 The Texan Scouts, the story of the Alamo and Goliad (1913)
- V3 The Texan Triumph, a romance of the San Jacinto campaign (1913)
The Civil War Series
These books are set during the American Civil War.
- V1 The Guns of Bull Run, a story of the Civil War's eve (1914)
- V2 The Guns of Shiloh, a story of the great western campaign (1914)
- V3 The Scouts of Stonewall, the story of the great valley campaign (1914)
- V4 The Sword of Antietam, a story of the nation's crisis (1914)
- V5 The Star of Gettysburg, a story of southern high tide (1915)
- V6 The Rock of Chickamauga, a story of the western crisis (1915)
- V7 The Shades of the Wilderness, a story of Lee's great stand (1916)
- V8 The Tree of Appomattox, a story of the Civil War's close (1916)
The Great West Series
These stories explore the American West.
- V1 The Great Sioux Trail, a story of mountain and plain (1918)
- V2 The Lost Hunters, a story of wild man and great beasts (1918)
The World War Series
This series was inspired by Altsheler's own experiences during World War I.
- V1 The Guns of Europe (1915)
- V2 The Forest of Swords, a story of Paris and the Marne (1915)
- V3 The Hosts of the Air, the story of a quest in the Great War (1915)
Other Novels by Altsheler
Besides his series, Joseph Altsheler also wrote many other standalone novels.
- A Knight of Philadelphia (1897)
- A Soldier of Manhattan, and his adventures at Ticonderoga and Quebec (1897)
- The Sun of Saratoga, a romance of Burgoyne's surrender (1897)
- A Herald of the West, an American story of 1811-1815 (1898)
- In Circling Camps, a romance of the Civil War (1900)
- In Hostile Red, a romance of the Monmouth campaign (1900)
- The Last Rebel (1900)
- The Wilderness Road; a romance of St. Clair's defeat and Wayne's victory (1901)
- My Captive, a novel (1902)
- Before the Dawn, a story of the fall of Richmond (1903)
- Guthrie of the Times, a story of success (1904)
- The Candidate, a political romance (1905)
- The Changing Order (1907)
- The Recovery, a story of Kentucky (1908)
- The Last of the Chiefs, a story of the great Sioux war (1909)
- The Horsemen of the Plains, a story of the great Cheyenne war (1910)
- The Quest of the Four, story of the Comanches and Buena Vista (1911)
- Apache Gold, a story of the strange Southwest (1913)
- Joseph Altsheler from the Handbook of Texas Online
See also
In Spanish: Joseph Alexander Altsheler para niños
