Bodyguards!: From Gladitors to the Secret Service

by Ed Butts, Scott Plumbe (Illustrator)

Meet the heroes, villains, and bunglers hired to protect others. We might think of bodyguards as a modern concept, but they've been around since ancient times. The rich, the powerful, the famous, and the infamous have all placed their safety in the hands of bodyguards. From Caesar's Praetorian Guard to Japanese samurai warriors to Wild West outlaws, bodyguards have played a vital role. They've even changed the course of history. There are notorious bodyguards who protect gangsters from the police and those who are paid to shield celebrities from the paparazzi, while others escort children in danger of being kidnapped. In Bodyguards! you'll meet both heroes (like the quick-thinking guard whose spear saved the life of Alexander the Great) and villains (like the elite Hitler Bodyguard, later tried as war criminals), and even some bodyguards who have failed in their job to protect. Brimming with vibrant action-packed illustrations in graphic-novel style, Bodyguards! opens the window on the fascinating stories of those entrusted to protect people's lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

128 pages, Hardcover

First published July 24, 2012

About the author

Tundra author Ed Butts is a writer and editor with a special interest in Canadian history. He lived for several years in the Dominican Republic, where he taught English and social studies and wrote regularly for local magazines. He has published several books of fiction and non-fiction and has written for numerous publications in Canada and the United States. Ed Butts lives in Guelph, Ontario.

Reviews

[Mikayla Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I was a good book I like that it was detailed but not to long. I like knowing stuff like that. Even thought it wasn't my favourite book I still enjoyed it.

[Sobia A Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A history of the evolution of bodyguards from ancient times to today describing how they trained, what they ate, how they fought, and who they protected. Gives brief biographies of some of the greatest guards from each era. Many kings and emperors even employed female guards over male. One chapter is dedicated specially to guards for those who were wanted (underworld, mafia, drug lords) and another dedicated to those who either failed or betrayed those they were protecting. Throughout the book are break out boxes and "case files" full of intriguing historical facts. The last chapter walks the reader through the life of today's bodyguard who would be in assignment protecting a child and then goes into a description of their rulebook, various weapons and reinforcements used. The book ends with a detailed glossary of terms used by bodyguards and a timeline of their evolution.

This is a great read for anyone interested in military history or history in general. The illustrations are more along the lines of those found in comics or graphic novels.

[Tyler M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bodyguards is one of my favorite books that I have read so far this year! This book tells you about bodyguards through out time and how they were used. I really love how all of the text is formatted. It is formatted in a way that makes me want to read more and more! It has small paragraph blurbs with pictures explaining the information. I really liked this book because of how intriguing all of the short story's in history were. I would definitely recommend this book to many people, people who love the history of the world from Ancient Rome to secret service!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever so interesting. I can think of several students who would just eat this up. Lots of tidbits of information. Comic-book style pages sprinkled throughout.

Though I will have to think ... because of the amount of violence discussed in the book (not condoned but discussed in honest terms) ... would it be an elementary appropriate book? Strong 4th and 5th graders could read it. And if I was in a middle school I'd get it for sure. Just not positive about the younger kiddos.

[Kstajduhar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Bodyguards is a really interesting book. It is by far the coolest book I have ever read about bodyguards. My favorite part was learning about all of the kings and pharaohs that lived long ago and became famous and are sometimes talked about in other countries. There wasn't one thing about the book I didn't like, everything was very interesting and I enjoyed the learning. I give this book a 5/5

[Jessicadebiasio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is packed with information and all of the information is amazing. Every part of this book was interesting and I never wanted to stop reading it. My favourite part was when they talked about Billy the Kid. On some of the TV shows my family watches they talk about Billy the Kid, I never really knew about him but now I know about him. I think that I would read this book again if I had the chance.

[Jamantea · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book I feel like I now know a lot more about bodyguards. In the back of my mind I knew that bodyguards didn't really repel down cliffs and things like that but I never really knew what they actually did like check cars and distract people so someone can make an 'escape'. Overall I enjoyed this book ad would definitely recommend it to people.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Presidents have them. Kings too. Businessmen, gangsters, celebrities, even kids have body guards. Samurai, Secret Service, guard dogs, even guard geese. These are the stories of the guards that saved, the ones that failed, and the ones who turned on those they were sworn to protect.

[Petra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book aimed at young readers who want to learn fun facts about the SS and Pablo Escobar. Actually, I'm not sure what the target audience's age is supposed to be here.

The only minor gripe I have with it is the author using the term "cement overshoes" in the Al Capone chapter. Cement overshoes? It's like a portmanteau for Chicago overcoat and cement shoes.

Oh, and it's Jiu Jitsu, not jujutsu.