Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Tom Swift is an above average teenager living in 1910; he is an inventor, and the son of an inventor. This wonderful book combines three of his Tom's adventures under one cover. In Tom Swift and his Motor-Cycle, Tom trades his bicycle for a motorcycle and soon finds himself using his mechanical acumen to foil the plans of those who would steal his father's newest invention. In Tom Swift and His Motor-Boat, Tom purchases a new motorboat but soon finds himself working against a would-be saboteur. And finally, in Tom Swift and His Airship, Tom and his new friend, John Sharp, build John's dream aircraft and foil a gang of bank robbers.
Once again, this book is also a wonderful window on the United States of 1910. While reading, you can see the comparative simplicity of mechanical devices back then, and the simplicity of life. Tom Swift presents a good role model, which is a definite plus, and the story is quite fascinating.
The one fly in this wonderful ointment is the character of Eradicate Sampson, an African-American. "Rad" is presented as an ill-educated buffoon who speaks in an irritating Amos and Andy patter. And, sadly, this is the only African-American character in the three books. But, though he is quite bad in the first story, he gets somewhat better in the second and is mercifully left out of the third story altogether.
But, in spite of that one problem, these are generally very interesting stories - I would just recommend that you consider before purchasing it for a younger reader. For the most part, however, these are very interesting stories, and I did enjoy reading them!
Click Here to see more reviews about: The Tom Swift Omnibus #1: Tom Swift and his Motor-Cycle, Tom Swift and His Motor-Boat, Tom Swift and His Airship
