The Ordeal of Colonel Johns
The Ordeal of Colonel Johns by George H. Smith tells the story of a man who must overcome numerous obstacles to achieve his goals. The book follows Colonel Johns on his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a successful businessman and politician. Along the way, he faces many challenges that test his resolve and determination. Despite these setbacks, he perseveres and ultimately achieves great success.
By George H. Smith · First published 1964 · Genre: Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Comedy · 3,845 words
First lines
_Colonel Johns, that famous Revolutionary War hero, had the unique -- and painful -- experience of meeting his great-great-great-great granddaughter. Now maybe you can't change history, but what's there to prevent a soldier from changing his mind about the gal he is going to marry? _
What this Textopian page supports
The Ordeal of Colonel Johns is listed on Textopian as a short story by George H. Smith, dated 1964 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: George H. Smith
- Date: 1964 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Comedy, Satire, Adventure
- Length: 3,845 words
- Structure: 1 section, 81 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Ordeal of Colonel Johns by George H. Smith
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Ordeal of Colonel Johns?
- How does this short story by George H. Smith fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The plot revolves around a time-travel-like device called the historical Reintegrator, which is a central element of science fiction.
- Historical Fiction — The story involves historical figures and events, such as the American Revolution, and explores alternate historical outcomes.
- Comedy — The narrative includes humorous elements, such as the absurdity of the situation and the interactions between characters from different times.
- Satire — The story satirizes social organizations and the glorification of ancestry, highlighting the absurdity of certain societal norms.
Tags
military · adventure · historical fiction · colonial · drama · conflict · leadership · courage · sacrifice · survival · strategy · war