Pay the Devil (Higgins, Jack) (Hardcover)

A son of the old South, born in Georgia, accompanies General Lee just before he surrenders to Grant. Learning of the impending surrender, Colonel Clay Fitzgerald (formerly temporary brigadier Fitzgerald) heads out to escape the Yankee net. He discovers that he is an heir, and decides to take a break from four years of fighting to see his family's home in Ireland. He dreams of a land of peace and respite. But his hopes are dashed when he and his black servant arrive there. The English and Irish gentry are cruelly abusing the Irish peasants, and the Colonel is warned that anyone who stays will have to take sides. He finds his heart stirred by a young woman and by the injustices that are occurring all around him. Like Superman, the Lone Ranger or Zorro, he takes on the wrongdoers and makes gallant gestures that inspire the downtrodden.

His opponents are some of the most despicable villains you will ever meet. One is driven by a raging lust vented at girls. Another has a desire to destroy as many peoples' lives as possible. Few will have any sympathy for the villains.

The book's heroine is one of those amazingly capable female characters, having all of the good features of women and men and fully being worthy of the hero's affections.

As the title suggests, this is an old-fashioned morality play with the forces of good and evil squaring off against one another. The conflicts mostly occur out of chivalrous instincts by the hero.

The book's strengths are in imaginative action scenes. The book's weaknesses are in portraying the characters too purely as all good or all evil, and the hero and heroine are just too perfect to be fully believable. In addition, the book labors under an overuse of the same incidental actions. How many times do you want to read about someone smoking a cheroot, or taking a swallow of whiskey?

You will feel emotionally rewarded to see evil trumped by good. I suspect you will also come away with a better sense of the basis for the groundswell behind Irish independence from England in the 19th century.

After you enjoy this story, perhaps you would also enjoy acting from your heart and playing a heroic role in the life of another person. Someone out there needs a helping hand today who will not get it unless you act from your heart. Look around, and act on your true feelings! I applaud your heroism!

A son of the old South, born in Georgia, accompanies General Lee just before he surrenders to Grant. Learning of the impending surrender, Colonel Clay Fitzgerald (formerly temporary brigadier Fitzgerald) heads out to escape the Yankee net. He discovers that he is an heir, and decides to take a break from four years of fighting to see his family's home in Ireland. He dreams of a land of peace and respite. But his hopes are dashed when he and his black servant arrive there. The English and Irish gentry are cruelly abusing the Irish peasants, and the Colonel is warned that anyone who stays will have to take sides. He finds his heart stirred by a young woman and by the injustices that are occurring all around him. Like Superman, the Lone Ranger or Zorro, he takes on the wrongdoers and makes gallant gestures that inspire the downtrodden.

His opponents are some of the most despicable villains you will ever meet. One is driven by a raging lust vented at girls. Another has a desire to destroy as many peoples' lives as possible. Few will have any sympathy for the villains.

The book's heroine is one of those amazingly capable female characters, having all of the good features of women and men and fully being worthy of the hero's affections.

As the title suggests, this is an old-fashioned morality play with the forces of good and evil squaring off against one another. The conflicts mostly occur out of chivalrous instincts by the hero.

The book's strengths are in imaginative action scenes. The book's weaknesses are in portraying the characters too purely as all good or all evil, and the hero and heroine are just too perfect to be fully believable. In addition, the book labors under an overuse of the same incidental actions. How many times do you want to read about someone smoking a cheroot, or taking a swallow of whiskey?

You will feel emotionally rewarded to see evil trumped by good. I suspect you will also come away with a better sense of the basis for the groundswell behind Irish independence from England in the 19th century.

After you enjoy this story, perhaps you would also enjoy acting from your heart and playing a heroic role in the life of another person. Someone out there needs a helping hand today who will not get it unless you act from your heart. Look around, and act on your true feelings! I commend your active heroism.

A son of the old South, born in Georgia, accompanies General Lee just before he surrenders to Grant. Learning of the impending surrender, Colonel Clay Fitzgerald (formerly temporary brigadier Fitzgerald) heads out to escape the Yankee net. He discovers that he is an heir, and decides to take a break from four years of fighting to see his family's home in Ireland. He dreams of a land of peace and respite. But his hopes are dashed when he and his black servant arrive there. The English and Irish gentry are cruelly abusing the Irish peasants, and the Colonel is warned that anyone who stays will have to take sides. He finds his heart stirred by a young woman and by the injustices that are occurring all around him. Like Superman, the Lone Ranger or Zorro, he takes on the wrongdoers and makes gallant gestures that inspire the downtrodden.

His opponents are some of the most despicable villains you will ever meet. One is driven by a raging lust vented at girls. Another has a desire to destroy as many peoples' lives as possible. Few will have any sympathy for the villains.

The book's heroine is one of those amazingly capable female characters, having all of the good features of women and men and fully being worthy of the hero's affections.

As the title suggests, this is an old-fashioned morality play with the forces of good and evil squaring off against one another. The conflicts mostly occur out of chivalrous instincts by the hero.

The book's strengths are in imaginative action scenes. The book's weaknesses are in portraying the characters too purely as all good or all evil, and the hero and heroine are just too perfect to be fully believable. In addition, the book labors under an overuse of the same incidental actions. How many times do you want to read about someone smoking a cheroot, or taking a swallow of whiskey?

You will feel emotionally rewarded to see evil trumped by good. I suspect you will also come away with a better sense of the basis for the groundswell behind Irish independence from England in the 19th century.

After you enjoy this story, perhaps you would also enjoy acting from your heart and playing a heroic role in the life of another person. Someone out there needs a helping hand today who will not get it unless you act from your heart. Look around, and act on your true feelings! I applaud your heroism!