DECEMBER 2014 - AudioFile
Listeners looking to add some excitement to their history lessons are sure to be thrilled with Will Collyer and Brian Delaney's take on the Civil War. Ben Thompson includes fascinating and true facts about the war—topics run the gamut from female spies to battle strategies. Collyer narrates the main text and creates excitement within each tale. Delaney voices the end notes, facts and lists included at the end of each chapter, and offers a nice balance between detail and humor. A great listen for middle schoolers. S.B.T. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine
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 Winner
An 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
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
DECEMBER 2014 - AudioFile
Listeners looking to add some excitement to their history lessons are sure to be thrilled with Will Collyer and Brian Delaney's take on the Civil War. Ben Thompson includes fascinating and true facts about the war—topics run the gamut from female spies to battle strategies. Collyer narrates the main text and creates excitement within each tale. Delaney voices the end notes, facts and lists included at the end of each chapter, and offers a nice balance between detail and humor. A great listen for middle schoolers. S.B.T. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine
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)
