Oliver Optic
William Taylor Adams, pseudonym Oliver Optic, was an academic, author, and a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
A Lieutenant at Eighteen
Amidst the turmoil of war, a young officer and a distressed woman navigate danger to defend their values and protect what they hold dear.
By Oliver Optic
Taken by the Enemy
Amidst the chaos of the Civil War, a father navigates treacherous enemy territory to save his daughter and family from impending danger.
By Oliver Optic
Ready About; or, Sailing the Boat
A determined young student must choose between his dedication to duty and the allure of reckless adventure with old friends.
By Oliver Optic
Fighting for the Right
A brave lieutenant, fresh from recovery, risks everything to hunt down a suspicious ship aiding the enemy during the nation's most trying time.
By Oliver Optic
Outward Bound Or, Young America Afloat: A Story of Travel and Adventure
When a group of mischievous students swap school desks for ship decks, their journey transforms into a high-seas experiment of morals, education, and unforgettable adventure.
By Oliver Optic
The Soldier Boy; or, Tom Somers in the Army: A Story of the Great Rebellion
Caught in a nation torn apart, a young boy's fiery spirit is ignited by war, leading him on a collision course with divided loyalties and the harsh realities of battle.
By Oliver Optic
Brave Old Salt; or, Life on the Quarter Deck: A Story of the Great Rebellion
A young officer's celebration turns swiftly to peril as he sets sail during the Civil War, facing questionable loyalties and dangerous secrets aboard his ship.
By Oliver Optic
Fighting Joe; Or, The Fortunes of a Staff Officer. A Story of the Great Rebellion
Amidst the Civil War, a Union officer's journey through perilous missions and unexpected battles tests his loyalty, courage, and moral fiber.
By Oliver Optic
Make or Break; or, The Rich Man's Daughter
In a bustling city, a barber's adopted son must rise to the occasion when sudden hardship strikes his family, while a pompous clerk faces conflict.
By Oliver Optic
Four Young Explorers; Or, Sight-Seeing in the Tropics
Craving real adventure beyond typical tours, a group of young boys venture into the wilds of Borneo for thrills, encountering new cultures and challenges.
By Oliver Optic
On The Blockade
A young commander must navigate treacherous waters and deceitful shipmates in order to stop enemy supplies from reaching shore during the Civil War.
By Oliver Optic
Cringle and cross-tree : $b Or, the sea swashes of a sailor
A young man's ambition to sail the seas and find his mother is put in peril when a dark figure from the past surfaces, threatening his dreams and forcing him into a treacherous game of survival.
By Oliver Optic
Stem to Stern; or, building the boat
On the gentle waves of Lake Champlain, an epic battle of wills begins when dreams of boat building clash with a local bully.
By Oliver Optic
Up The Baltic; Or, Young America in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark
A group of young American adventurers sailing the seas of Scandinavia rescue a mysterious boy, igniting friendships amid travel and unknown danger.
By Oliver Optic
Dikes and Ditches; Or, Young America in Holland and Belgium
A ship of young scholars faces treacherous waters and clashing authority as they navigate foreign lands, forcing a student captain to choose between duty and discipline.
By Oliver Optic
Down South; or, Yacht Adventure in Florida
** Set sail with a group of young adventurers as they explore the enchanting Florida coastline, unaware of the looming threat of a vengeful enemy.
By Oliver Optic
The Christmas gift : $b A story for little folks
When a group of children chooses to forego their own presents to assist a struggling widow and her family, they discover the true meaning of Christmas through selfless giving.
By Oliver Optic
Our Standard-Bearer; Or, The Life of General Uysses S. Grant
Discover how a young man's strong character and military brilliance made him a celebrated general and a key figure in shaping the nation after a devastating war.
By Oliver Optic
Up the River; or, Yachting on the Mississippi
Friendship, theft, and river navigation blend together as a captain and his companions embark on a Mississippi voyage teeming with mystery and excitement.
By Oliver Optic
Plane and Plank; or, The Mishaps of a Mechanic
A young carpenter's quest to learn his trade becomes a tough test of character when he encounters swindlers and temptations.
By Oliver Optic