St. Bartholomew's Eve ~~ A New TOS Review!!

Since we have discovered audio books they have been a favorite staple of our homeschool. So when we had the opportunity to add another Christian audio drama by Heirloom Audio we were excited to receive the 2-CD set of St. Bartholomew's Eve to review.

Since we've been travelling back and forth between SC and IN this was a God-send! Driving 10 to 13 hours can be very hard and tedious so audio books and radio theater are a great way to pass the time instead of spending upteen hours watching mindless videos and burning through data. From the get-go the G.A. Henty story captured the ears and imaginations of my listeners (age 9 through 45) as we travelled down the interstate.

The story is narrated by George, who many might recognize as Brian Blessed from Star Wars among other well known movies, telling two boys the brave story of the French Hugenots and the massacre that ensued on St. Bartholomew's Eve in August of 1572. This is a true historical drama that comes to life in your car or living room as you listen and hear horses clomping, swords clashing, and crickets chirping as the story progresses. It revolves around Philip Fletcher who has come to his cousin Francois's home in France, to join forces in the war against the Catholic oppression of the Protestant faith. This war is really all about freedom of religion at a time just 50 or so years after Martin Luther's revolutionary thinking that God's Word was and is for everyone, not just the learned or clergy. The French Hugenots were in tough times and Philip felt called to come and join arms to help protect their right to worship God.

While listening you can fell the fear and agst as  they train and learn to fight as young men. By the end of the story you can see their growth and maturity through the battles they have waged to stand up for the King of Kings versus the King of France. This is part of our own Christian heritage and we are commanded in the Bible to teach our children their history so that they can wear it around their own necks. I love that this story put so much emphasis on quoting Scriptures and singing a familiar hymn - A Mighty Fortress is our God - which led to a brilliant tactic to help protect and bolster their own fortress at one point.

Along the way Philip and Pierre (another soldier defending his faith) meet Argento, a younger boy who helps them find out who are the leaders of the persecutors of the Hugenots so they can be targeted. After some wear and tear battles Argento and his family is pinpointed to retailiate against. Phillip did tell Argento where to go if ever this happened, but at this point in the story we all thought the happenings were bleak. I won't go into more details, but being as this is based on the true events of the bloody massacre be prepared for a not so happy ending for all the characters you begin to love from the first few minutes of listening.

A few days after listening to the just over 2 hours of this exoloding audio drama, my son decided to create a battle scene to represent some of the battle he heard in the story.

Also while listening another time, my daughter decided to draw this sword and dagger that might have been being used by Philip or Francois in their battles.

My eldest discussed with me a little that she remembered of this division and persecution between Catholics and the Protestants after she heard mention of Catherine de Medici and also the De Guise family when they were talking about the uniting of two families to hopefully unite these two religious sects.  It was a great conversation. This is what I truly love about listening to these Christian radio theater adventures ... they spark creativity and injunity in my children and bring the history alive.

We were blessed with a physical CD which costs about $30 plus S&H. You could also get these as digital downloades for about $20. We have LOVED the other stories we have had the privilege to listen and enjoy are Captain Baley's Heir and Wulf the Saxon. My son has asked if In Freedom's Cause or With Lee in Virginia next we can get next. I think I'll add it to the Christmas list!

I definitely think that St. Bartholomew's Eve would be a great one to add to your homeschool collection. It would be especially great to go alongside your history lessons during the time of the Reformation. It also clearly shows that we should obey GOD no matter what. That was a great lesson for our children that coincides with our reasons to move 700 miles away from all friends and family - to obey God and trust Him. I urge you to read the other Crew members who also had the opportunity to review this. And you can connect with Heirloom Audio on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Instagram and continue to "Live the Adventure".