Big Bad Ironclad! (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales #2): A Civil War Tale

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales #2

by Nathan Hale

New York Times Bestselling Series!“These books are, quite simply, brilliant. . . . Thrilling, bloody, action-packed stories from American history.” —New York Times   Uncover the story of the American Civil War’s ironclad warships with the New York Times bestselling graphic novel series!   Ships are great for transport, but when they are made of wood they tend to start leaking when cannons fire upon them. But what if the ship is covered with iron? Assuming it doesn’t sink to the bottom of the ocean, wouldn’t it be stronger and better than any other ship out there? This is the question that begins a race between the North and the South to come up with the biggest, best ironclad warships.   Here is the story of the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia (also called the Merrimack), two of the world’s first ironclad ships and their fascinating role in the Civil War, and through their ironclad battle, you will get wider perspective to the war. Meet Abraham Lincoln and his cabinet. Learn about General Winfield Scott’s Anaconda Plan to cut off the South from any outside support. And meet Gideon Welles, Lincoln’s “Father Neptune” and Secretary of the Navy.   Sail back in time and learn of a battle that changed warfare, and a war that changed history.   Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales! Read them all—if you dare!One Dead A Revolutionary War Tale (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #1)Big Bad Ironclad!: A Civil War Tale (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #2)Donner Dinner A Pioneer Tale (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales Book #3)Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and A World War I Tale (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #4)The Underground An Abolitionist Tale about Harriet Tubman (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #5)Alamo A Texas Tale (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #6)Raid of No A World War II Tale of the Doolittle Raid (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #7):Lafayette!: A Revolutionary War Tale (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #8)Major A Grand Canyon Tale (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #9)Blades of A Tale of Haiti, Napoleon, and the Louisiana Purchase (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #10)Cold War A Korean War Tale (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #11)

Genres: Graphic Novels, History, Nonfiction, Middle Grade, Historical, Civil War, Comics

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2012

About the author

Nathan Hale is the New York Times best-selling author/illustrator of the Hazardous Tales series, as well as many picture books including Yellowbelly and Plum go to School, the Twelve Bots of Christmas and The Devil You Know.

He is the illustrator of the Eisner-nominated graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel, Calamity Jack. He also illustrated Frankenstein: A Monstrous Parody, The Dinosaurs' Night Before Christmas, Animal House and many others.

(He is not the author of Extinction Earth or the other apocalyptic titles listed. That's a different Nathan Hale. If someone with "librarian" status would disambiguate those titles for me, I'd appreciate it.)

Learn more at www.spacestationnathan.blogspot.com

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you should find that you share your name with a Revolutionary War Hero you have various ways of making use of that fact. You could join Revolutionary War re-enactors on a regular basis and field unceasing questions about whether or not that is your real name. You could start writing historical fan fiction or fun alternative histories. Or you could follow in the footsteps of one Nathan Hale and write the number one funniest and best-written history-based graphic novel series on bookshelves today. The choice is yours. Honestly, I think you'd be better off going with that third choice, but bear in mind that not everyone is as good at Hale at doing what he does. With the debut of "Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales" we encounter a melding of fact and fiction that will please history averse children and only mildly annoy adults who cannot figure out where to put the darn thing on their shelves.

The first two books in the series have been released simultaneously and I find I cannot talk about one without the other. Though I slightly prefer Big Bad Ironclad to One Dead Spy, I can hardly jump right in and talk about the sequel before I talk about its predecessor, can I? Besides, if I hadn't even seen Big Bad Ironclad! I'd still be talking up the wonders of book #1 in glowing hyperbolic terms. So to sum the two books up . . .

In One Dead Spy our hero Nathan Hale stands at the gallows alongside a hangman and a British Provost Marshall mere moments before he is to be hanged by the neck until dead. Suddenly he is eaten! Eaten by a big book of American history no less. After being spit out he now knows the entirety of American history and is willing to tell everything he knows. The first story that needs to be told, however, is the tale of Nathan Hale himself. And if along the way he happens to tell the stories of folks like Ethan Allen, Henry Knox, and other big and colorful characters all the better. Like a Colonial Scheherazade, Hale is spared by the childish and endearing hangman and the blowhard Provost Marshall, just so long as he keeps weaving together new tales.

Big Bad Ironclad is actually even stronger than its predecessor. By this point Hale has expanded a bit and isn't restricting himself to mere Revolutionary War stories. We've skipped forward to the Civil War, which makes for kooky stories galore. I'm sure I'd heard the story of the Merrimack and the Monitor but never in such glowing terms. Hale rightly seeks out and brings to light the story of William Barker Cushing, a prankster who used his pranking skills to help win the war for the Union, as well as a cussing Swede and other interesting folks involved in the Civil War's naval battles. Also, by book #2 Hale is giving himself a little more literary leeway. A character with the last name of Fox is presented as a walking talking fuzzy animal, acknowledged as too crazy to be accurate, but giving the book a bit of that old kid-friendly zing.

These two are, alas, cursed books. Historical graphic novels tend to be. I blame the fact that for years some of the worst, ugliest, most didactic comics out there were those created to "teach" the kids history. Historical comics are often the dregs of the comic book publishing industry. So the fact that there are now comics that are not only beautifully drawn but smart, funny, and often containing better historical facts and information than whole chunks of school textbooks out there is going to throw a couple teachers and librarians for a loop. "Hazardous Tales" follows in a fine tradition of Center for Cartoon Studies series that included Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow, Houdini The Handcuff King, and others. And like those books librarians will have a darned time figuring out where to put them on their shelves. Are they nonfiction or fiction? If nonfiction, do you put them with the other Revolutionary War / Civil War titles or do you give them a call # and put them in the graphic novel section? So many questions. So few answers.

I say that this series bears some similarities to other historical graphic novel series, but the fact of the matter is, and let's face it, they're 500% more fun than any of their competitors out there. The fictional trope of Nathan Hale telling his story to the child stand-in hangman and grown-up/authority figure stand-in of the Provost Marshal gives him the perfect Greek chorus. Against the hangman's silliness and the Marshall's pomposity Hale has the perfect dual comic foil. Add to that his storytelling style. I was reminded instantly of Steve Sheinkin's hilarious King George: What Was His Problem?: The Whole Hilarious Story of the American Revolution, a book that acts as an ideal companion to One Dead Spy. Like Hale, Sheinkin sought to find those aspects of the Revolutionary War that would speak to child readers. And if they just happen to be exciting and amusing, so be it. Pair the two together for the best unit on the late 1700s any 4th through 6th grader ever saw.

The sheer amount of research that went into this book is impressive. Impressive too is the backmatter which tends to consist of biographies of the major players (with paintings/photographs were available), a Bibliography of pertinent sources (illustrated into its own story, naturally), a discussion of primary sources, debatable historical facts found in the "Correction Baby" section, and in the case of One Dead Spy, a bonus story. Currently public schools in most American states are wrangling with a new form of teaching called Common Core. With its increased emphasis on reading more nonfiction texts one cannot help but notice that this book would make for a rather ideal companion to many a school unit. Just sayin'.

And I mentioned they were funny, right? Not chuckle softly into your tea funny either. I'm talking snort milk out your nose funny. There is a section in Big Bad Ironclad in particular that is so well done, so hilarious, and so ridiculous that I keep going back to it just for fun. It's a simple explanation of why two soldiers sent to repair the Merrimack and bring her north from Virginia instead ended up participating in burning it and its shipyard to a cinder. Hale draws the sequence like a gigantic board game. When the two meet the Commodore he ignores their orders to take the ship insisting that it's safest at the shipyard. They mention that Virginia might secede. The next sequence reads, "Virginia will not join the South!" "Sir! A telegram! Virginia has joined the South!" Then everything goes swiftly downhill with the mad-eyed Commodore yelling "BURN! SINK! BURN!" Oh, it's a hoot.

Both books in the series employ the cost-saving one-color technique many graphic novels utilize today (Babymouse, Fangbone, etc.) which allows the publisher to save costs while luring kid consumers who eschew pure black and white. The quality of the publication, however, is far higher than most graphic novels for kids out there. Thick pages and a strong binding guarantee that no matter how many reads the books receive they'll stand up to a pounding. Hopefully they'll be discovered too. If you sell them to the kids who loved Hale's work on books like Rapunzel's Revenge and Calamity Jack as well as history lovers and comic book lovers in general, Hale could find himself with a significant following. This series may be a slow burner, but trust me when I say that it's worth discovering for folks of every age. Love `em, love `em, love `em.

For ages 9-12.

[Skip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nathan Hale (the patriot) is still standing at the gallows awaiting his execution, and is asked by his executioners to recall another story. This one is about the iconic battle of the Confederacy's Merrimack (Virginia) and the Union's Monitor. Hale has done his research about the military men and epic battle. A colorful graphic novel, which may be an effective way of teaching history to those that would otherwise not be interested.

P.S. Sorry to see the return of the simpleton, hangman.

[Kami · Rating 5 out of 5]

- This was another hilarious and educational tale! I loved it!

- I really like that Nathan Hale (the spy) is still telling stories to the hangman and the redcoat. It's like Scheherezade telling stories to the king to stay alive.

- I didn't know there were naval battles in the Civil War! That is really cool.

- William Cushing was the best part of this book. He was hilarious and awesome! I love that he was a forerunner for the Navy Seals. I want to go research this guy some more.

- The Lego instructions are at the end are gut busting funny.

- I like the color and lack of color. The last book used red, and this one uses blue.

- The author took some liberties with the characters, but I thought he did a good job keeping the history straight. My favorite "liberty" was the fox.

- Hale's illustrations are simple, but he does a good job of getting a lot out of each frame.

[Barb Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two continues the story of Nathan Hale who is still trying to avoid the noose by telling stories from the future in this hilarious graphic novel that involves the invention of ironclad warships in the Civil War. The childish hangman is back along with the cynical British Provost. Backdrop from the first book has four characters discussing how Nathan Hale was to be hanged as a spy when a humungous history book swallowed him whole then burped him up giving him the mysterious ability to see into the future. An African American, Billy, brings a new rope to the platform and Nathan Hale tells him he will be the first African American international prizefighter. Hangman asks Billy to "show me your best punch" to which he obliges leaving Hangman to warble, "Ow. That story hurt." Nathan Hale asks if Hangman wants to hear another story to which he replies, "One with less face punching, please." The Provost says, "We might as well. But I don't want any more nonsense about the Americans beating the British in this war." The witty dialogue, action, and famous characters make this a page turner that I liked even more than the first book.

To keep all the characters straight the author uses catchy names and pictures such as Lincoln calling his Navy Secretary with a long white beard, "Father Neptune"; Stephen Mallory with his razor teeth and hair fashioned into a shark's fin is dubbed, "Sharkface,"; and last, Neptune's assistant, Foxy, is drawn as an actual fox. Toss in the Swedish inventor who blew up a President's cabinet before being given the job of making a warship made of iron; a prankster, Will Cushing, who uses this odd talent to foil the enemy; to Hangman, who interrupts the story because he has to go to the bathroom. My favorite line is when Hangman asks for all of Cushing's stories and Nathan Hale says he can't tell them all because there are too many. "I want to hear all of them," Hangman growls. "Well, you can look in the back of this book at the bibliography." "Oh! I'll do that!" Hangman says excitedly. "Do you even know what a bibliography is?" asks the cynical British Provost. "Of course I do!" Hangman winks at the reader and whispers, "I hanged a librarian last week!"

This book is in blue tones representing Union soldiers; whereas, book one is in red tones to represent the British redcoats. A nice aide to help readers keep straight that book one takes place during the Revolutionary War and book two takes place during the Civil War - not to mention it saves on publishing costs. The back of the book tells what facts the author made up and what was true. Yep, "Sharkface" is made up, but Lincoln did call his Naval Secretary, "Father Neptune." The research babies are back with their crotchety attitudes complaining about Hangman, "Be careful with the research materials, you Philistine!" to showing disgust at a long title of a book in the impressive Bibliography. Guaranteed laughter.

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a fan of graphic novel. So the fact that I even made it through this book speaks to it's merits. My kids brought this book home from the bookmobile (yes we still have a bookmobile, and we love it!) I picked it up off the couch and ended up stealing it from my kids.
This GN is about the Monitor and the Merrimack, the first two ironclad warships during the Civil War. I found it interesting and informative. There were the same drawback I find with most GN's: the illustrations were at times annoying, and the page format was distracting at times. But I am very aware that I am not the target audience. Overall I found it quite readable and engaging. This is a great way for kids to learn history, and a great jumping off point for an adult who frankly has forgotten most of what they learned in 8th grade American History.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My middle school book club *loved* 'Donner Dinner Party' so I broke our 'no series' rule and picked another one, since they don't really have to be read in order and they don't really continue a specific order. I'm not a huge reader of history but these graphic novels could make anyone a fan. I look forward to sharing these with Xavier.

I love that these are quick and easy to read, while being packed full of interesting facts you might not already know. The humor is great as well. This volume focused on the naval side of the Civil War, which I didn't really even realized had happened. After finishing the book, I did some research into the Monitor museum and then on to the Titanic. A great non-fiction title leaves you wanting to know more about things.

2017StaffBookBingoChallenge - book about a historical event (Civil War)

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

This series is the best. It makes history so accessible to all ages. I really enjoyed this one a lot. I was not familiar with the story of Will Cushing before reading this and I am so glad that I am now aware of that incredible tale.

[Clare Lund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this humorous and (mostly) factual account of history. It kept my attention and I learned a lot, and the graphic novel format makes it accessible for all readers. Great series for ages 8 and up.

[Ezekiel Pettit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it, it was very good.
It was also very interesting, I had never heard of Ironclads before this book

[Brady Meier · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the Civil War and the South has broken off of the United States. And a kid in the Union Navy is playing jokes on drill sergeants. They are pretty good pranks though. Ok, back to the topic. Virginia has just became a Southern state which means that so does the famous war ship the Merrimack. The South turns the Merrimack into a Ironclad. So that means that the North has to create a Ironclad too. So the war on the seas turns into a war of ironclads.


I mostly like this book because of the drawings. I really liked the how the author made the drawings it really helped me understand the story better. The author created the pictures so that you could understand what was going on. Like when a bunch of soldiers went into a swamp the author used different colors and different color schemes to describe the scene. I also liked how he used different colors when something funny came up. Like when the secretary of the Navy got mad Nathan Hale used red and pink to describe his facial expression.

My favorite part of this book was the part where Will Cushing tried to blow up the Albemarle. I liked this part because the author used sound affects that a graphic novel would. He used sounds like Fwoosh!, and BAM!, and Splish! Splosh! It really helped me understand what noise an object or character was making. I also liked this part of the book because it had a lot of action in it and I really like action.

I thought that this book was really good. It helped me understand the wars that happened on the seas and how important those wars were to the North in the Civil War. This book also helped me understand ironclads and other ships better. I think that this was a really great book to read and I hope that you might read it and like it too.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

NO NO NO NO NO. 0 stars. I can't even get passed the fly leaf. What I hoped to be a decent GN that blurs the lines of fiction/nonfiction with enough nonfiction some libraries put it in nonfiction collections had a rather large error on the fly leaf in a map differentiating between Union, Confederate, and boarder states and territories. It marks Kansas as a Confederate state. Granted it has been a while since my college Civil War class I double, triple and quadrupled checked to make sure I wasn't crazy and never did I see KANSAS listed as a Confederate state. I hope, for the sake of map crazy kids out there, that this was an error limited to this specific printing otherwise there will be some confused kids out there.

Update. I just updated my review to 3 stars aka good because the mistake was caught and hopefully now fixed. Probably still won't be buying these for my library because if there are mistakes like this right off the bat are there mistakes that I did catch else where?

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

So do I feel silly reading these books, and would I be embarrassed to be seen reading them in public?

Oh yes I do, and yes I would. But damn if they aren't consistently fascinating, beautifully (if sometimes goofily) illustrated, really well-researched and surprisingly educational.

As a kid growing up during the 1960s Civil War Centennial, with all its accompanying books and models and toy soldiers, I thought I knew this stuff - the USS Monitor fought the CSS Merrimack - but apparently I knew NONE of the details connected to it. I had NO idea that they only fought once - during the "Battle of Hampton Roads," which was also the Merrimack's test run no less, where it managed to destroy two Union ships and ground a third (!) before the Monitor showed up; I didn't know that then both ironclads sank independent of each other, (the Merrimack blown up by its own crew so that it wasn't captured, and the Monitor lost in a storm). I also didn't know that afterwards, the North made some 60 Monitor-class ships, while the Merrimack (which the South had renamed the Virginia) was a one-off, built on the hull of an imperfectly scuttled "normal" frigate that the North tried to burn when they abandoned the Norfolk shipyard.

And then there are the people - Gideon Welles, the Union's Secretary of the Navy whom Lincoln called "Father Neptune;" William Cushing, originally kicked out of the Navy (twice!) but then readmitted and promoted to become the first "Civil War SEAL" exactly a century before the real Navy SEALS were created; John Ericsson, designer of the Monitor, which was rushed into production - and ultimately battle - specifically to take on the Merrimack…

Can't speak (yet) for the rest of the series, but along with Cold War Correspondent (Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales #11): A Korean War Tale, this was a totally surprising 5-star read.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25
I’m not going to lie I do not really care about this historical event so I didn’t hold my attention as much. It still is funny and I did learn some stuff so that’s good.

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lapsille ja nuorille suunnattu Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales -sarja kertoo amerikkalaisesta vakoojasta Nathan Halesta, joka jää Yhdysvaltain vapaussodassa brittijoukkojen vangiksi ja tuomitaan kuolemaan. Valtavan historiankirjan nielaisemaksi joutuneella Halella on kuitenkin kyky nähdä tulevaisuuteen, ja hän onnistuukin lykkäämään teloitustaan kertomalla jännittäviä tarinoita tulevaisuudesta (siis vuodesta 1776 eteenpäin). Vähän niin kuin Tuhannen ja yhden yön satuja -kehyskertomuksessa, siis.

"Big Bad Ironclad!" (Amulet, 2012) kertoo Yhdysvaltain sisällissodan kuuluisimmasta meritaistelusta, jossa konfederaatin CSS Virginia otti mittaa unionin USS Monitorista, sekä presidentti Lincolnin kommandoksi kutsutusta William Barker Cushingin seikkailuista.

Sarjakuva on äärimmäisen viihdyttävästi ja hauskasti kerrottua historiaa, jossa faktatkin tuntuvat olevan päällisin puolin kohdallaan. Olkoonkin, että laivastoupseeri Gustavus Fox on kettu, se kun helpottaa lukijaa pysymään kärryillä siitä kuka on kuka. Niitinlaskijoita varten teoksen lopusta löytyy vielä Correction Babyn palsta, jossa kerrotaan missä tekijä teki virheen.

Sarjakuva on kiva tapa oppia historiaa, ja se voisi vedota ainakin samaan lukijakuntaan, joka nauttii englantilaisesta The Horrible History of the World -sarjan humoristisesta lähestymistavasta aiheeseen.

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: Big Bad Ironclad!" is a American history graphic novel about the Civil War. The story coincides with the other Nathan Hale books, as it is told by Nathan Hale. This time, Nathan Hale tells the Hangman and the British officer a tale from the "future" in the 1800s. Nathan Hale describes how the North and South are a war with each other. He also tells them how the sides are trying to develop new naval technology. After the South captures the Northern ship "The Merrimack", they decide to cover the ship with iron. This makes it harder for bullets to get through. The ironclad ships prove to be successful in battle, and soon the North decides to make one of their own. The story is mainly about the advancements of technology and how the new weapons helped both the North and South.
I really liked this book. I admired how the characters from the 1700s reacted to the revolutionary ideas of the 1800s. For example, Nathan Hale says that the ironclad ships of the 1800s will render King George's army of wooden ships obsolete. The British officer listening to Nathan Hale's tale of the Civil War has trouble believing this and simply states "Iron doesn't float!" I like how the author Nathan Hale utilized historical events and perspectives like this.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about history with a spin of humor to it. The iconic art style and interactions with various characters make it an enjoyable read.

[Joseph R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

American patriot and colonial spy Nathan Hale continues regaling his executioners with tales from future history (because he got sucked into a book or something in the first volume--just go with it). Here he gives the story of the first armored naval vessels in the 1860s. The two most famous ones (because they were the first ones) are the Monitor and the Merrimack (renamed the Virginia), built by the United States and the Confederacy respectively. He describes not only their battles and ultimate fates, but also the long and challenging process of first convincing the respective governments to invest in armored sea vessels and then building those boats. The story is exciting and also has plenty of appropriate jokes sprinkled throughout.

Also sprinkled throughout is the story of Will Cushing, a man dismissed from the Naval Academy for playing pranks. When the American Civil War started, the Navy was desperate enough for officers that they took him back. He soon became a colorful, creative, and cunning naval officer. He had a distinguished career with many daring raids and attacks both at sea and on land, earning him the nickname "Lincoln's Commando." He was an inspiration for the Navy Seals.

As with other volumes in the series, the back includes a section describing the bits that aren't historically accurate (surprisingly few) and a bibliography so readers can learn more about the people and the ironclads.

Highly recommended!

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just fun! The color scheme through the book matches the cover. There’s a lot of one liners that made me laugh out loud. And the illustrations are great. Perfect historical graphic novel

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even more delightful than the first one! The history book that swallowed Nathan Hale (the Revolutionary war hero, not the author) shows him the first naval battles of the Civil War, and he regales his hangman with a story about ironclad ships and what is essentially the first submarine! So much fun, and still informative!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was nice. It has some true things in it. I am going to tell you about one of the fictional parts. There was a talking fox who was in the Army and drove a boat! It takes place during the Civil War.

[Margaret Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I mention that this series is by someone ALSO named Nathan Hale who was born exactly 200 years after the spy died because that would be a true statement.

I actually learned things in this book ?? about boats in the civil war ?? okay

[Ryan Sood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book was very good because it told a lot about history that I hadn't known before. This was a historical fiction boom that was funny yet it still told about the naval part of the civil war. I thought that this book was very good and I would recommend it.

[Cade Salem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny book. Good parts in the book

[Jayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a great book. i thought it was a good way to tell the civil war. :)

[JihoHa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fun and good book

[Machaia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite of Hale's books, but still a fantastic addition. Also, it's worth reading for the exploits of William Cushing alone - hilarious!

[Nick Podzimek12 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a vary good book . it had so much action in the book .

[Stasi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot about the Civil War naval battles, a subject I honestly didn't even know existed!

[Miss Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably my least favorite out of the series.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

History was always one of my least favorite subjects in school. It never felt like I was taught anything interesting. It was just a large collection of important people, places, and dates. Anytime, there was something that remotely piqued my interest, it was glossed over or ignored. I believe a lot of people my age felt this way, and that if you asked someone what they most remembered from history they could tell you one of two things - "In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue," or some variation of "If you don't learn history, you're doomed to repeat it." Since I have become a parent, I have thought a lot about the future education of my children. and making sure they get a better education than I did. That's not to say that mine was bad, but I can look back on it now and see how it could have been better. One way I would do that is to make history fun, and I have found the best way to do that is with a Living History curriculum and texts that capture the reader's attention. A book series I have found that accomplished that is called Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales.

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales is a five (soon to be six) volume set. The books in the set are as follows:

One Dead Spy - A Revolutionary War Tale
Big Bad Ironclad! - A Civil War Tale
Donner Dinner Party - A Pioneer Tale
Treaties, Trenches, Mud and Blood - A World War I Tale
The Underground Abductor - An Abolitionist Tale
Alamo All-Stars - A Texas Tale

For those unfamiliar with who Nathan Hale was, he was a soldier for the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Nathan Hale is also the name of the author of this series of books. In Book 1 - One Dead Spy, Nathan Hale, the historical figure, is scheduled to be executed for being a spy. A British soldier is looking for the execution papers, and a hangman (the comic relief) is trying to help Hale come up with famous last words to say. Hale finally says, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." His memorable words caused a "Big Huge Book of American History" to appear and absorb Hale into it. Then, Hale instantly reappeared with all knowledge of American history including future history. This turns into the whole premise/running gag of the series. At the beginning of every book, the Brit and the hangman are planning to hang Hale, but he regales them with a tale of American history or what would in reality be the future to them.

The books themselves are told in graphic novel/comic book format. That means it visually draws you and feels more like reading a story than listening to a history lesson. The historical figures interact with one another, and it is not reading something in the third person. Throughout the Hazardous Tales, there are lots of interruptions by the three members mentioned above, which provides the reader with context and depth when needed. It also serves to lighten the mood at times, so the reader forgets that they are not only reading for fun, but learning something too! Of the current five books, the one I enjoyed the best was Donner Dinner Party, because who doesn't love a tale about cannibalism? :)

Now, I would like to address what I like and dislike about the series. I will start with what I dislike, because there isn't much I dislike. At times, there is some disrespectful language. It's not vulgar, but I guess sassy would be the right word. The children in Donner Dinner Party are at times disrespectful towards their parents and wish their older sister would shut up about her pony. Your kids are going to be exposed to that kind of sass, but you can let them know that is a trait that will not be tolerated in your house, so that's my biggest gripe.

What I liked about this book is the level of detail, which I will explain as best I can. For starters, the inside covers of the book have a map of the United States and what it looked like for the year the book takes place. One Dead Spy's map is 1775; Donner Dinner Party's map is 1846; and so on. The front of each book has differing flags, depending on the era for the book. One Dead Spy has an American flag with 13 stars on one side and a British flag on the other side. Big Bad Ironclad! has an American flag on one side and a Confederate flag on the other side. On the back of the book is a "Hazard Level," which is basically a warning of what your children will encounter. For example, Big Bad Ironclad! has a Hazard Level Red for Explosive. This level includes "blockade-runners, privateers, burning shipyards, underwater toilets, Swedish swearing, ironclad battleships, and a bomb on a stick." I also love that at the end of the book there is actual factual history, questions about why some parts were included and other parts excluded, and a bibliography for the book. Even all these facets are done in an engaging way to not break character and keep history light and fun, but also accurate.

I honestly was not sure what to expect from these books when I received them. I thought they would either be dry stories that the author attempted to make interesting or so far off the wall that there would be no literary value to them. However, I was pleasantly surprised by them, and they more than exceeded my expectations. Hale (the author, not the historical figure) carefully picked his subjects for each book to ensure he started with a compelling historical account. He then even more carefully researched the history to make the story as close to factual as the records were able to verify. What he ended up producing is a series that I hope has no end in sight. So who are these books for? I would say a child in 3rd grade, perhaps 2nd if an advanced reader would be a good starting age for these books. I hate to put an age cap on them because tastes vary and some middle schoolers might feel they are too grown up for them, but conversely, some high schoolers might love them. Each child is different. I do think that these are more boy books than girl books, because of the comic format and tendency for the comics to skew a bit gruesome at times. But don't rule them out if you only have girls, check one out at a library and if they love them, buy them! These belong in the classroom and on the home bookshelf, as your child will want to read them multiple times. Highly recommended!

[Clint · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Another totally entertaining and memorably informative bit of American history from Nathan Hale. I love how he anchors the story on a few notable characters; Will Cushing is at the heart of this book and a thrilling delight as a pranksterish sort of proto-Navy Seal who was earlier kicked out of the Naval Academy for schoolboy mischief. The story of the earliest ironclads themselves and the other personalities notably involved with them is great too and tells the story of the Monitor and Merrimack more memorably than my middle school history class did.

Having now read the first three books in the series (out of order), all three are wonderful and it seems each entry improves on the previously published book. This second book improves the storytelling and has more dynamic visuals compared to the first in the series. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of them from book 4 and seeing if that trend can possibly hold.