For those of you who once played with green plastic army men, Reluctant Soldier, Reluctant Saint follows the determination of a man seeking honor while it appears he has no choice but to kill the people of the “fanatical religious sect (The Mormons).” James may have entered the army as a “sissy boy,” but by the time of his honorable discharge he has grown into a man.  This book depicts real life for soldiers in the 1800s. It follows the path of Johnston’s army as well as the trail to bravery and new hope. It is an account of the tale we know well, from a military rather than an LDS perspective. Tom Roulstone’s book is directed at men and boys, although women may enjoy it as well. 

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: 2 second hand reports.

Violence/Gore: A man is mugged; a man is whipped; reported whipping; 5 strong verbal threats; bear attack; man supposed dead in a storm; one character jabs another with a bayonet; 2 men are imprisoned with chains.

Sex/Nudity: 3 low cut gowns; two characters dance very close together; a few kisses; two characters hold one another close; a man pays a bar maid to “do more than just dance”; a woman tries to get a man to sleep with her.  

Mature Subject Matter:

Robbery; War; Religious Conflict; Death. 

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Characters drink whiskey in one scene; two characters smoke pipes; one character chews tobacco; a woman gets drunk at a dance; army men go drinking at the local bar.