Customer Reviews

The Story of the H. L. Hunley and Queenie's Coin

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I'm not a kid and I loved this book. Its engaging and yet true to the history and the times of the American Civil War. I would think the folks in South Carolina that worked so hard to bring the Hunley back to life would find this book a real gem. The Hunley Museum Store should be able to sell lots of them. I recommend it for folks of ALL ages.

This book is an amazing introduction to the history of the Civil War era submarine Hunley. Focused on the most intriguing legend surrounding its captain, Fran Hawk wonderfully recounts the history of the submarine and its tragic end. She deftly steers the story into the modern day, aided by wonderful illustrations. Give this book to every kid on your Christmas list - get them out from behind the video games and into history.

Finally, a true adventure story for children that is both historically accurate and wonderfully told. This account of the Hunley is much more than a history lesson. It brings to life the young Lieutenant George Dixon and the fiesty Southern belle whose gift of love once saved him. Fran Hawk takes young readers on a great Civil War adventure from Mobile, Alabama, across the battlefield at Shiloh, through the blocade at Charleston and down inside the first submarine ever to sink a war ship. Her story plants the feet of young readers firmly on the moonlit deck of the ill-fated Union Housatonic moments before she went down, and then leads them onto the sandy, dark beach at Sullivan's Island where a signal fire burned.
Fast-forward more than two centuries. Hawk takes readers offshore with adventurer Clive Cussler to the discovery of a lifetime. She presents the recovered sub in its research laboratory and reveals its many intriguing secrets, one by one.
The book is beautifully - and accurately - illustrated on every page.
Here's a terrific and absolutely true children's adventure book that parents will also enjoy.
Steve Mullins
Metro Editor
The Post and Courier
Charleston, S.C.
Reviewer's note: Hawk writes a weekly column about children's books in the Family Life section of The Post and Courier newspaper.