Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: Lafayette!

Doomed patriot Nathan Hale foretells his captors of future events in the Revolutionary War in the latest  volume of Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales. 

I really thought that I knew about the War of Independence. Boy, was I wrong at that! I especially did not know how much of an impact the French officer, Lafayette had on the American's ability to fight, defend and ultimately defeat the British. 

These stories aren't what one would consider 'safe'. There's murders and wars and treachery and dysentery and body fluids galore. But with this story involving the French, there's also a level of bawdiness. Parents, be ready to answer the question of 'what is a brothel?' Plus, there's the whole instance of a 16 year old Lafayette being forced to marry a 14 year old aristocrat.  

This book is aimed at those aged 8-12 and when it comes to real-life instances such as The War of Independence, a certain level of violence is allowed. But when it comes to sexual situations, it's always a tricky realm. Some parents are more willing to discuss human sexuality with their children; some are extremely puritanical. 

Perhaps the most mature of the Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales. But entertaining and educational none-the-less. A real eye-opening tale about the origin of our nation from the perspective of the French.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy

 This is the first book in the series, but it’s not the first book I’ve read from it. NHHT, as the author commonly refers to this series, stars Nathan Hale as the narrator. Just before he is to be hung during the Revolutionary War, Hale was given the ability to see all of American History (as his last words have earned him a place in the history books.) His execution by hangman and a British officer is stayed as long as he regales them with stories.

Up ‘first’ is the story of how Nathan Hale joined the revolution up to his capture as a spy. NHHT’s are my kind of comics. As a former educator and a history major, I am a big supporter of medias that make learning fun. I think it’s because I was such a fan of Schoolhouse Rock as a child. But let’s be honest- what’s more fun to learn: the memorization of the periodic table or to have a band like the Ramones belt out a turn helping you to remember the atomic weight of boron?

Sure, this series is geared for ages 10-14. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t learn anything from this book. For example, I didn’t know that Hale has a mole on his neck and it was considered such a bad luck charm that fellow school children teased him that he’d be hung by the neck by a noose. That’s a very interesting fact- but not something a 6-year old should probably be learning. Also just about every book in the bibliography used for research are geared for adults. Thus, I think I’ve proven that Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales offers something for everyone!

A fantastic series that I just can’t wait until I get my hands on the next one.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.