George Alfred Henty: The Story of an Active Life

A warm and insightful portrait brings listeners closer to the man whose adventure stories have thrilled generations of young readers. Drawing on his vivid correspondence and the recollections of those who knew him, the memoir reveals the quiet, private side of a writer whose public life was filled with daring exploits. It shows how his own experiences as a war correspondent supplied the factual backbone for the vivid tales that still capture imaginations today.

The story begins with Henty’s surprising beginnings—a frail, sickly child confined to bed, plagued by the harsh medicines of Victorian doctors. Relocated to a picturesque house by the River Stour, his early years were spent chasing butterflies, listening to birds, and watching trout in crystal‑clear waters. Those simple joys sparked a restless spirit that would later grow into the robust, determined adult celebrated by readers worldwide.