History comes alive for kids like no textbook can in this epic account of the American Civil War that's perfect for history buffs and reluctant readers! Contains awesome illustrations!
From courageous cavalry rides deep into enemy territory to harrowing covert missions undertaken by spies and soldiers, the events of the American Civil War were filled with daring figures and amazing feats. This exhilarating overview covers the biggest battles as well as captivating lesser-known moments to entertain kids with unbelievable (and totally true) tales of one of America's most fascinating conflicts.
History buff, Civil War reenactor, and popular blogger Ben Thompson uses his extensive knowledge and vivid storytelling style to bring the Civil War to life in this first book in a thrilling new series featuring incredible people, events, and civilizations. Get ready to learn just how awesome history can be!
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Publishers Weekly
10/06/2014
This action-packed Civil War title launches a nonfiction series dedicated to extraordinary chapters of history. Badassoftheweek.com creator Thompson adopts an urgent and sometimes humorous tone that conveys infectious enthusiasm in examining all facets of this conflict that "would claim more lives than every previous American war combined and redefine the United States of America forever." The narrative effectively sketches the major causes of the conflict, bringing to life the politics, combat, and key participants. Many chapters focus heavily on major battles (sidebars delineate numbers of combatants, casualties, and victors), while others cover famous figures including Harriet Tubman; the role of women as spies, supporters, and combatants; and lesser-known political events, such as the surprisingly tense reelection of President Lincoln. Chatty, colloquial comparisons (Thompson describes a Confederate ironclad ship as being "upgraded... like an iPhone") are accessible if a bit pandering. In all, it's a rousing introduction to this defining conflict that makes the history appealing and relatable. Period photographs and other images appear throughout; final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. Agent: Farley Chase, Chase Literary Agency. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Guts & Glory: The American Civil War:
A 2015 International Literacy Association Teachers' Choice
A 2015 National Parenting Publications Silver WinnerAn Amazon Best Book of the Month"
The book's greatest strength is its colloquial storytelling.... Thompson's passion for his subject is infectious.... An easy, breezy series opener that should help create a few new history buffs."—Kirkus Reviews
"Action-packed.... Thompson adopts an urgent and sometimes humorous tone that conveys infectious enthusiasm.... A rousing introduction to this defining conflict that makes the history appealing and relatable."—Publishers Weekly
"Thompson displays a solid knowledge of the Civil War.... He ably covers major battles, campaigns, and figures...mixing informational passages and fact boxes with colorful action sequences."—School Library Journal
"An entertaining overview.... What brings these events to life, particularly for reluctant readers, is Thompson's spirited, conversational narration.... Should keep students engaged."
—Booklist
Praise for Guts & Glory: The American Revolution:
"Thompson's books are a meaty delight. Digestible chapters are packed with info, one-page bios hit the highlights of their subject's lives, and sidebars full of interesting tidbits are all part of the appeal of the nonfiction Guts & Glory series.... A very satisfying read that even adults will find useful."—Booklist
Children's Literature - Elisabeth Greenberg
This nonfiction title covers a wide range of information in the text and associated fact boxes, but is trivialized by the breezy language and recreations of deadly battles as if they were enacted in video games or came out of comic books. According to the author’s note, Thompson wanted to “present courageous heroes and cowardly villains from both sides” of the Civil War chronologically. While this book may attract some new readers to stories of the Civil War and its concluding chapter recognizes the costs of the war and the value of a sound military force, librarians can find many more better-written and structured books to guide students to an understanding of war, history, nationhood, and citizenship. The selection of powerful first person quotations, which open the chapters, capture both the moral imperative and the human anguish felt by soldiers from the humblest private to the most powerful general and is the most important teaching tool in the book. Reviewer: Elisabeth Greenberg; Ages 8 to 12.
School Library Journal
10/01/2014
Gr 4–7—In this first of a series, history buff and reenactor Thompson displays a solid knowledge of the Civil War, hampered by an overreliance on "hip" prose. He ably covers major battles, campaigns, and figures in a roughly chronological order, mixing informational passages and fact boxes with colorful action sequences in each chapter in what could potentially have been a winning formula to grab and hold the attention of young readers. Unfortunately, Thompson's colorful prose often veers into the realm of the bizarre. The repeated use of the word dude may seem odd coming from an adult author, and readers are likely to miss many pop culture references, such as a mention of the 1990s film Anaconda or a "Mike Tyson haymaker sucker punch." The many run-on sentences will leave readers at a loss. One such sentence describing Lincoln's situation approaching the election of 1864 ends by saying that his popularity didn't "necessarily mean that everything was coming up unicorns, rainbows, and smiley-face sunshine happiness roses of joy." Thompson takes a linguistic swing for the fences and ends up spinning around and falling down at the plate. There are many other books on the Civil War for this age range that will hold a reader's attention without the bamboozling prose.—Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Kirkus Reviews
2014-08-27
Blogger and author Thompson gamely takes on the task of exciting young readers about the American Civil War. A self-described Civil War student and re-enactor, Thompson expresses understanding for both sides in the conflict, aiming "to present courageous heroes and cowardly villains from both sides equally, showing each in their full glory without trying to pull any punches whatsoever." While some stories are well-known, others focus on individuals who haven't received much attention, such as Confederate spy Belle Boyd and other women who assisted the efforts of each army. While the author does not dwell on it, the role of slavery is discussed, and the efforts of African-Americans to both serve and fight are included. The book's greatest strength is its colloquial storytelling. The short chapters and extensive use of sidebars are designed to attract reluctant readers, while the breezy, sometimes-humorous style makes the history accessible. Thompson's passion for his subject is infectious. The many illustrations, photographs and archival material supplement the narrative. A thorough index will help researchers, but the material and delivery is better suited to recreational reading. There is an extensive bibliography but no source notes for chapter epigraphs or those quotes included in the text. Final art not seen.An easy, breezy series opener that should help create a few new history buffs. (Nonfiction. 8-12)
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