Bob Son of Battle

Another well loved dog book from my childhood. Beautifully written with rather a thick Cumbrian accent in the speech--not only accent but words unknown to me as a twentieth century North American, as opposed to the nineteenth century North Englishman who wrote it. No matter, the language is poetry none the less, evocative and alive, and is half the charm of the book.

Bob, Son of Battle, as it was labeled in the US, and as Owd Bob: The Grey Dog of Kenmuir in the UK was written as a Children's book in 1898.

I debated on whether to count this among my top favorite books on dogs. It has the criteria to be there, I loved the book, wouldn't mind reading it again, had passages or excerpts I wanted to save in my list of quotes, and had awesome or laugh out loud moments. There are some other things about this book that would not make it people's favorites, but oh well, it is my list of favorites and I can list the good and the bad for people to sort out, as well of course as people can compare what others think as well.

I am not one to give a summary of the book, the summary for the book and others can give show more you that. In short it is two sheep ranch farmers in rivalry with each other each with a faithful and notable dog between them. One dog is Red Wull, a huge, violent dog who herds his sheep by brute force. The other dog is Bob, son of Battle, he herds sheep by finesse and persuasion.

The book is very melodramatic. Some may not like that, but to me, that was the fun. For things to be larger than life, and suffering and abuse to be loud and bitter.

I think the cumbrian dialect was understandable and added to the feel of the book. Some may not like working through it.

The book has some pretty gory parts to it. I can't imagine reading it to a child. In reality, a child at one age can just pass through something, and then at a different age, you could wind up giving someone a phobia for life, or at least nightmares for a while. To me, to have drama you have both the lows and the highs to make the arc of the story. I'd be very careful reading it to a child, or maybe turn parts more PG rated when reading to one.

The behavior of the dogs was not always realistic, certainly not in what seemed to be the situation with one big mystery, but I can just go along with it to enjoy the story.

The villain and his faithful dog makes the book. He is despicable with his abuse and tyrants, but the love of a good dog can soften the way we see a person. The depth and degree of abuse by the villain is another reason some would reduce the number of stars handed out. I get that, not only did it go on long, it found ways to be ratcheted up even more as it went. Probably another reason why it may not be suitable to today's children. I think I mentioned that it was very melodramatic.

I posted some quotes from the book into GR, but here are two to display some of the points above:

“And all through that night of age-long agony the gray figure stood, still as a statue, at the foot of the stairs. Only, when, with the first chill breath of the morning, a dry, quick-quenched sob of a strong man sorrowing for the helpmeet of a score of years, and a tiny cry of a new-born child wailing because its mother was not, came down to his ears, the Gray Watchman dropped his head upon his bosom, and, with a little whimpering note, crept back to his blanket.”

“In my life I’ve had three friends. Ma mither – and she went; then ma wife” – he gave a great swallow – “and she’s awa’; and I may say they’re the only two human bein’s as ha’ lived on God’s earth in ma time tha iver tied to bear wi me; and Wullie. A man’s mither – a man’s wife – a man’s dog! It’s aften a’ he has in this warld; and the more he prizes them the more like they are to be took from him.” The little earnest voice shook, and the dim eyes puckered and filled.”

For those who read the book, I leave with 'Wullie, Wullie, to me..." show less

Bob, Son of Battle, as it was labeled in the US, and as Owd Bob: The Grey Dog of Kenmuir in the UK was written as a Children's book in 1898.

I debated on whether to count this among my top favorite books on dogs. It has the criteria to be there, I loved the book, wouldn't mind reading it again, had passages or excerpts I wanted to save in my list of quotes, and had awesome or laugh out loud moments. There are some other things about this book that would not make it people's favorites, but oh well, it is my list of favorites and I can list the good and the bad for people to sort out, as well of course as people can compare what others think as well.

I am not one to give a summary of the book, the summary for the book and others can give show more you that. In short it is two sheep ranch farmers in rivalry with each other each with a faithful and notable dog between them. One dog is Red Wull, a huge, violent dog who herds his sheep by brute force. The other dog is Bob, son of Battle, he herds sheep by finesse and persuasion.

The book is very melodramatic. Some may not like that, but to me, that was the fun. For things to be larger than life, and suffering and abuse to be loud and bitter.

I think the cumbrian dialect was understandable and added to the feel of the book. Some may not like working through it.

The book has some pretty gory parts to it. I can't imagine reading it to a child. In reality, a child at one age can just pass through something, and then at a different age, you could wind up giving someone a phobia for life, or at least nightmares for a while. To me, to have drama you have both the lows and the highs to make the arc of the story. I'd be very careful reading it to a child, or maybe turn parts more PG rated when reading to one.

The behavior of the dogs was not always realistic, certainly not in what seemed to be the situation with one big mystery, but I can just go along with it to enjoy the story.

The villain and his faithful dog makes the book. He is despicable with his abuse and tyrants, but the love of a good dog can soften the way we see a person. The depth and degree of abuse by the villain is another reason some would reduce the number of stars handed out. I get that, not only did it go on long, it found ways to be ratcheted up even more as it went. Probably another reason why it may not be suitable to today's children. I think I mentioned that it was very melodramatic.

I posted some quotes from the book into GR, but here are two to display some of the points above:

“And all through that night of age-long agony the gray figure stood, still as a statue, at the foot of the stairs. Only, when, with the first chill breath of the morning, a dry, quick-quenched sob of a strong man sorrowing for the helpmeet of a score of years, and a tiny cry of a new-born child wailing because its mother was not, came down to his ears, the Gray Watchman dropped his head upon his bosom, and, with a little whimpering note, crept back to his blanket.”

“In my life I’ve had three friends. Ma mither – and she went; then ma wife” – he gave a great swallow – “and she’s awa’; and I may say they’re the only two human bein’s as ha’ lived on God’s earth in ma time tha iver tied to bear wi me; and Wullie. A man’s mither – a man’s wife – a man’s dog! It’s aften a’ he has in this warld; and the more he prizes them the more like they are to be took from him.” The little earnest voice shook, and the dim eyes puckered and filled.”

For those who read the book, I leave with 'Wullie, Wullie, to me..." show less

Wikipedia states that this book, published in 1898, was a popular children’s book in both the US and UK. I feel that it is a good example of the changing styles of children’s books.

It’s a story of two farmers and their dogs. One farmer is upright and fair, loves his family and has a sheep dog named Owd Bob from a beloved line of sheep dogs. The second farmer has become twisted and bitter after the death of his wife. He abuses his son David horribly and even this second farmer’s dog Red Wull has a wicked bad temper.

David finds a measure of peace visiting the first farmer’s house. In this sanctuary, he falls in love with the daughter.

David’s father becomes more and more bitter. The dogs of the two farmers are pitted against show more each other in sheep dog trials over the course of several years; whichever wins the cup three years will retire it.

There is also a dog that is killing sheep grazing on the fells. This is an unpardonable dog-sin and the culprit must be destroyed. Both dogs have been seen near killed sheep.

In addition to the issues of abuse and the strong morality tale, the dialect is written in Cumbrian which is a challenge for a modern adult, much less a child. ” "But I'll mak' it up to him--mak' it up to him and muir. I'll humble masel afore him, and that'll be bitter enough. And I'll be father and mither baith to him. But there's none to help me; and it's bin siar wi'oot ye. And--but lassie I'm wearyin' for ye." p 77

I would only recommend this book if you are interested in reading a period piece. show less

192. Bob Son of Battle, by Alfred Ollivant (read 3 May 1945) When I finished this book I said: "Finished tonight Bob, Son of Battle by Ollivant, an Englishman who died in 1927. This book moved me greatly and I think that is the test of greatness."

I struggled with the dialect as written, but decided the book wasn't worth it for me.

Another book from childhood - one I read at my grandmonther's house more than once.