Neptune's Honor: A Story of Loyalty and Love

by Pamela Bauer Mueller

Book Overview

Born into slavery in 1831 on Retreat Plantation, St. Simons Island, Neptune became the childhood friend and servant of plantation heir Henry Lord King. Their devoted friendship, which finally evolved into a shared struggle to survive on the Civil War battlefields, is an inspiring example of how two men from completely different backgrounds can stand united as brothers in times of sacrifice and tragedy. This historical account of courage, honor,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0968509754
• ISBN13: 9780968509753
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Pinata Publishing
• Length: 189 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.6" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 12 to 15 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 10

Customer Reviews

Neptune's Honor

Neptune's Honor is a book that is a must read. This story gives the reader a bird's eye view of how slavery was practiced in many areas of the south rather than the stereotypical master/slave relationship which is current popular belief. Although the practice of slavery is not ethical, it is a factual part of the history of this country. The founding fathers owned slaves and many raised slaves to positions of trust & honor within their households. Slavery was as appropriate for those times as was a lack of women's rights. We can't change history but we must know all of the facts of history in order to understand who we are today. Neptunes' Honor affords us that opportunity since it is based on factual research. This book, based on actual documents of Neptune Small & his family, is a learning tool in the form of interesting reading. The art of "slave-speak" was a common method of communication among the slaves & workers on the plantations because of the multicultural environments in which the slaves lived. It afforded them a sense of privacy and control. Living in the south, where slave labor was common during colonial times, there are still remnants of that sub-language. Ms. Mueller has done an outstanding job in her efforts to convey how life was on a specific plantation without encouraging us to think that slavery was acceptable to everyone. It was simply a part of history as it was lived. Her inclusion of characters who depicted the degrading side of the slave issue lets us remember how poorly some slaves were treated. Neptune's Honor brings all of that to us now in such a way as to show the horror of slavery as well as a glimpse of those individuals of color who rose above being slaves in their own right. Just as the uncaring slave owners & traders treated humans as beasts of burden, this book recalls the memoirs of a man who rose above slavery. He allowed love, loyalty and friendship to govern the character of his life.Neptune's Honor is a book I have felt good about reading. Bravo to Ms. Mueller for taking on such a project and giving us such enjoyment. Evelyn M. Kennedy, Register, Ga.

Neptune's Honor

This beautiful story of devoted friendship, based on the history of coastal Georgia, is a reading treasure for both adults and children. Ms. Bauer Mueller has enlivened dialogue by including original Gullah-Geechee "black-speak" dialect, as well as rhythmic slave spirituals and work songs. There is a wealth of learning material here to promote discussion and unique essay projects. Slavery is handled in a tender yet realistic manner, opening a new door of understanding the struggles of our African American ancestors. Cary Knapp Librarian Brunswick, Georgia

Wonderful!

Neptune's Honor is a story for everyone. It is a touching story, filled with delightful anectodes of a slave and his master, more like brothers, growing up together and sharing their lives and dreams during some difficult historical times. It is a story about brotherly love, undying devotion, and family ties that in some instances are thicker than blood. It will make you smile, laugh, cry and be melancholy all at the same time. To be enjoyed by young and old.

Honoring my Great-Great Grandfather

As a descendant of Neptune Small and a student of coastal Georgia history, I'm delighted that this story has been written in honor of my great-great-grandfather's heroism. "Neptune's Honor" touched me deeply. I felt as though I were there with Neptune experiencing his life, listening to the subtle billowing of the atlantic, smelling musty earth oders of the island marshes and feeling the ocean breezes as they blew on Neptune's St. Simons Island. While "Neptune's Honor" is a very touching and powerful story of love, loyalty and honor, it is based on the life of a privileged slave, and in no way represents the level of intense bondage and deprivation endured by the vast majority of my enslaved ancestors. - William Bernard Barnes Jr., Great-great-grandson of Neptune Small