The Boys' Life of Lafayette

** "The Boys' Life of Lafayette" by Helen Nicolay is a biography that follows the inspiring life of Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, from his beginnings as a French nobleman to his heroic role in the American Revolution. The story opens with the introduction of Lafayette's noble heritage and foretells the family's bold legacy with the saying, "The Lafayettes die young, but die fighting." The book highlights his formative years, raised by his mother and aunts, which instilled in him a longing for honor and freedom. His early life and experiences in the court of Louis XVI build the foundation for his future dedication to the American fight for independence. **