Customer Reviews

The Year of the Hangman

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"By the winter of 1776, the American Revolution seemed doomed. The Continental Army had suffered major defeats...As we all know, Washington managed to beat the odds against him...and went on to defeat the British. But it didn't have to happen that way...This is a story of what might have happened." Gary Blackwood wrote this on page one and two of his book The Year of the Hangman. This quote sums up the entire point of the book.

The Year of the Hangman is based during the revolutionary war and explores the idea of what might have happened if Washington and the Patriots lost the war. It is a story about a boy named Creighton Brown who lives in England. His mother is concerned about Creighton's bad behavior and orders her brother to kidnapp Creighton and take him to America. During the novel Creighton meets Ben Franklin, Benedict Arnold, Peter (Arnold's body guard), Colonel Gower (Creighton's Uncle), Lieutenant Hale (Gower's body guard) and Sophie (Franklin's maid). Creighton also learns of his father's real fate and his contribution to the war.

After living with the Americans, Creighton struggles with his conscience to decide where his loyalties really lie--to the Americans or to the British.

Read The Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood to find out more about this exciting alternate history novel!

I think this is a really good book because mostly when you look at history it's boring and you don't want to know about it. I gave five stars handds down. The reason is because it shows that we shouldn't take freedom for granted. In this book a young boy named Creighton is a little piece of crap that nobody would want for a son. That's why his mom sent him to be with his uncle in the American colonies. creighton's uncle sends him to spy on Benjamin Franklin, the legendary printer, to learn about the rebels. I thought this book was put together well and I enjoyed it. An element that is represented most in this story is suspense. I kept thinking is Creighton going to get caught? I would recommend this book to people who always think What if?

Have you ever wondered how things would be now if certain events in history had resulted in a different outcome? Gary Blackwood took this concept and turned the Revolutionary War up-side down.

In The Year of the Hangman, the British have won the Revolutionary War and they are in control of the colonies in the new world. The story follows the life of Creighton Brown, a fifteen-year-old boy who was shipped off to live in the colonies in 1777. He ends up in New Orleans with many of the Patriots, including Benjamin Franklin and Benedict Arnold. During his time there, he becomes friends with a few Patriots and learns that they have a worthy cause to fight for. After a while, he gets confused about whose side he should be on and what is the right thing to do.

This book is well-written and probably reflects what would have happened if the British had actually won the war. The book made me wonder what our life today would be like if the book were true. Would we better off? Would we have the same technology we have today? Would we have all the freedoms that we have today? It is weird to think about all this, but it is interesting to wonder about.

What would happen if the British had won the Revolutionary War? In The Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood, this alternate history novel brings it to life. A mischievous boy named Creighton Brown is sent from England to America to spy for the British. Over time he ends up in New Orleans, where he lives with the one and only Dr. Franklin, a French servant and a giant man named Peter. After becoming friends with the Americans he also intrigues into their likings and helping out the printing of The Journal a newspaper in New Orleans. While he spies and reports information to his uncle who is the Lieutenant Governor for the British his conscience comes to haunt him by telling him that he is disobeying his new friends or doing the right thing for his country. The choice is his. British or American? I give this book four stars for excellent detail and a book that you just don't want to put down. It is interesting to see what happens. What happened to George Washington? Is Benedict Arnold a traitor? How would life have been like? Knowing what Creighton had been through the decision is shocking. One reason I dislike this book is for the some French they add in the sentences.

"In 1777, the year that Creighton turned fifteen, hanging became a familiar topic of conversation. Some even called it the year of the hangman, because the three sevens in the date resembled miniature gallows, and also because the year had begun with a rash of executions."

Creighton Brown is an English boy who is everything but a gentleman, with his bad temper and lazy habits, but when his mother ships him to live with his disciplinary uncle he learns to think twice about his attitude. Soon he will find himself in the middle of New Orleans living with the brilliant Benjamin Franklin and his assistant Sophie while plotting his escape back to England as well as accommodating Benedict Arnold in one of his artistic plans. When Creighton discovers what he is really feeling inside, his world gets turned upside down.

Gary Blackwood's The Year of the Hangman was one of the most interesting and action packed history novel I have ever read. I really enjoyed the way the author turned history around completely. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in history or just looking for a good what if story.

I read through "The Year of the Hangman" in a relatively short time, but I definitely enjoyed the book. Although some of it seems unlikely and a lot of the events were somewhat predictable, the conjecture of a historical "what if" is intriguing enough to keep the pages turning. I especially enjoyed the character of Benedict Arnold and his rather opposite role than the one he played in reality. The end was a bit of a disappointment, however, because I really cared more about the historical figures than the bratty kid and his (spoiler warning, but you will probably figure it out before the end anyway) "dead" father. I would recommend this book for a brief and intriguing read, and a glimpse into what the world of the American Revolution was really like.

The Year of the Hangman, by Gary Blackwood, is about what might have happened if the British won the Revolutionary War. It's about a boy named Creighton who lives with his single mother in Britain during the year 1777. Creighton is lazy and hard to manage, and is driving his mother crazy. Then one night, he is kidnapped and finds himself aboard a ship headed for the colonies, then living with particularly strict Uncle Gower, then kidnapped while on another ship, and then faking his loyalties while he is living in a patriot city, in the same house as Benjamin Franklin. Throughout this book, he meets interesting people that change his outlook on loyalty and war. Creighton holds a lot of power at one point in the book, because everyone thinks that he's on their side. Sooner or later he will have to decide which side he is really on.

I found this book to be slow at the beginning, because Creighton's behavior was simply annoying. He gambled, got drunk, skipped classes, and more. But part of the reason I like this book was because Creighton's attitude changes so drastically from the beginning to the end. This book keeps you reading by including new things for Creighton to figure out, like solving clues, and finding secrets. I also thought the ending was interesting. How do you end a book about the Americans losing the American Revolution in a way that makes sense? But I thought Gary Blackwood did a very nice job.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction, and has a dictionary beside them because this book can get a bit wordy. Sometimes it's a bit difficult to follow the Old-English dialogue.

What if you were forced to pledge honor and loyalty to your country, family, and self? That is an exact explanation of Creighton's life.

The Year of the Hangman, written by Gary Blackwood, is a historical fiction novel that takes place in Britain and America during 1977. Creighton is an ornery and lazy English teenager who is unexpectedly shipped off to America with his very strict uncle and his partner, Hale; both of who are British force leaders. This is upon Creighton's mother's request, as his dad, Harry Brown, was supposedly lost in America while defending his home country. With the help of his guide and friend, Peter, Creighton gets intensely involved with many people in America, including Benjamin Franklin and his assistant Sophie, as well as participating in one of Benedict Arnold's ingenious plans. During the American Revolution, Creighton uncovers deep emotions inside himself that he didn't even know existed. Discover Creighton's many adventures in this twisted tale, which highlights the positive and necessary traits required under such great circumstances.

Gary Blackwood has written numerous young adult titles in this same genre, including the infamous book, The Shakespeare Stealer. Blackwood does an excellent job conveying all the individuals' feelings, although the advanced vocabulary sometimes made it hard to completely comprehend certain passages. The story has a unique plotline, is very descriptive, and even contains a prologue, separating the truths from fiction. I liked the book better as I read on, because there was a lot of action. This novel is recommended to seventh graders and higher, since it contains controversial war and violence scenes. Boys may find enjoyment in this book because of the main storyline, but girls can find it equally intriguing. History buffs might find this title interesting, as well as people who like to explore the past and are easily bored by textbooks.

Overall, The Year of the Hangman is a worthwhile read.

This book is pretty good and I enjoyed the story. It took some turns I didn't expect and it has some cameos from famed founders so....all in all? 3.

This is a fictional story of what might have happened if George Washington had lost the war.

The year is 1777, the Continental Army (American Army) has lost the Revolutionary War against the British forces. Creighton Brown, the main character was living in England. He was becoming increasingly involved in a many mishaps. Creighton would sneak out of his mothers house and would go gambling at the tavern. Concerned about Creightons behavior, his mother had him captured while leaving the tavern and dragged to a merchant vessel that was sailing to the American colonies. This was the same area where his father was believed to have been slain a year earlier. His uncle Gower (his mothers brother) who lived in the colonies took him in. Creighton went with his uncle on a merchant vessel that was sailing to West Florida. The ship was captured by American privateers. Creightons uncle was seized and held prisoner in New Orleans. Creighton agrees to help his uncle by spying. While on the merchant vessel, Creighton became friends with his bunkmate, Peter the gentle giant. Creighton went to stay with Peter, who was living the ever-famous Benjamin Franklin. Creighton also goes to work in Benjamin Franklins printing shop. Creighton meets Dr. Franklins handmaid Sophie. Sophie, a French maiden who speaks very little English and has problems with social skills. Dr. Franklin has put her on a plan where every week she works on her social skills. Such as one week was tolerance of rude people. While working in Dr. Franklins printing shop, Creighton slips Colonel Gower a few messages which helps Colonel Gower to escape from his captors. At an unexpected time Creighton is asked to do a mission for Benedict Arnold. In this mission Creighton has to pretend thats he is an Englishman thats has been freed by two American traitors. The roles of the American traitors are played by Peter and Mr. Arnold. Their mission is to find or at least figure out where the British are holding the American General George Washington. They feared that if Washington is not found he will be hanged by the British. Benedict Arnold living up to his real life reputation, betrays Creighton by abandoning him. Once Creighton finds out he is being betrayed he contacts his uncle Gower and asks for his assistance in capturing Benedict Arnold. Peter finds who he thinks is General Washington, but turns out to be a decoy. Benedict Arnold is captured. Benedict Arnold gets shot and killed during an escape attempt. Peter and Creighton return to the colonies. Peter rounds up patriots to fight against the British. Creighton meets up with Sophie and together they sail with the patriots to fight the British and attempt to find the real General George Washington