The Year of the Hangman- Book Review

This was the first book that I have read that was written in this style. Not only did this book not follow the normal pattern but it was written as a Alternative History. I was attracted to the book because I really like history and thought I would try out the alternative history genre. This book leaves the reader with the question, “What if we had not won the Revolutionary War?”

The book starts off in England with our main character Creighton. Creighton is a member of the upper class, and is very spoiled. His mother on the other hand is a single struggling widow who lost her husband in the Revolutionary War. Creighton’s mother is tired of dealing with Creighton so she hires hit men to kidnap Creighton and take him to America. Once in America, Creighton was to live with his uncle who is a Colonel in the British Army. But Mr. Gower had different ideas, and loaded Creighton onto a ship to be sent with him to Florida. But on the way to Florida, Patriots raided the boat and took Gower as hostage. Creighton was then sent off to New Orleans to live with Ben Franklin and await the escape of his uncle. But Creighton realizes that the Patriot cause isn’t all bad, which side will Creighton choose?

This book was really an amazing book. Normally I don’t like to read but with this book I couldn’t put it down. It has a great story and even better characters (whom you might recognize in America’s history). But best of all, this book was written by Missouri’s own, Gary Blackwood. If you like history, then you will love this glimpse at what could have been.