Early Book Review: Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy by Nathan Hale

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy by Nathan Hale is a children's non-fiction graphic novel schedule for release on August 1 2012. The author happens to share the same name as America’s first spy. Nathan Hale was the Revolutionary War hero sometimes only remembered for his famous last words “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country”. Nathan Hale is on the gallows and has just uttered the famous phrase when a giant book captures his likeness and story for future reference,then releases him back to the gallows. The less than bright hangman is awed and wants to hear just how hale came to be a spy on the gallows. soon the hangman and a British officer are caught up, and adding their own interjections, into the framework of Hale's historic role. The strange, bloody, and simply unbelievable truth of historical Nathan Hale  includes his time at Yale, and his days as an officer during the Revolutionary War.

One Dead Spy delivers history in a way that will capture the interest of most readers. I liked the new information, perspectives, and ideas about American history that I had not explored since my high school days- which was long enough ago that I do not want to think about it. There was significant research, and great use of the facts within the story. There was also some great story telling to embellish the truth and fill in the gaps without changing the true picture about life during the Revolutionary War. The result is a graphic novel that teaches, entertains, and encourages further research and reading. After the completion of Hale's tale there is a short section telling Crispus Attucks's role in the Boston Massacre, and the promise of more graphic novels in the series.

I think that One Dead Spy will be a favorite of readers around eight and up that enjoy adventure, graphic novels, or history. Reluctant readers that might not normally be interested in historical friction or nonfiction might find this an exception.  I truly think that this is a fun, entertaining, and interesting way to introduce American history, reinforce history lessons, or simply read for enjoyment's sake.