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In the pageant of American history, the American Revolution is the
ultimate pivotal moment, and the bravery shown by the early patriots
cannot be denied when they fought for what they believed in—freedom from
government control and unfair taxation. Many of those patriots died
before ever knowing their cause had succeeded. Among those martyrs to
the cause of freedom was Nathan Hale, famous today for his final words,
“I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” But who was
Nathan Hale really, and what motivated him to die so bravely? Becky
Akers has brought Nathan Hale’s past alive in her new novel Halestorm, a
book with a clever pun in its title much like the puns she depicts
Nathan Hale as having loved. In her Author’s Note at the book’s end,
Akers admits she had to take a few liberties with her plot, but her
fiction brings alive the time of the American Revolution in beautifully
written prose and in a manner that nonfiction can never achieve.
Halestorm opens with Nathan Hale and his brother going off to college at
Yale, while his stepsister Alice is deeply in love with him. Since
Nathan’s brother and Alice’s sister have recently married, Nathan and
Alice see no reason why their love cannot also have such a happy ending,
but they soon find that their parents are greatly opposed to their
marriage. Their attempts to be together and the obstacles that
result—including Nathan’s promise to his father that he will not marry
Alice—make for many twists and turns in the lovers’ lives. Alice and
Nathan’s love story is played out against the rising disgust in the
colonies with the British government and the conflict between loyalists
and patriots. Guy Daggett, a dashing young man who sides with the
loyalists, soon becomes interested in Alice and stirs up trouble for the
lovers while managing to look innocent at every turn. And as the
conflict with the motherland develops, Nathan prepares himself
inevitably to fight for the cause of freedom. Akers succeeds in keeping
the reader turning the pages, constantly interested in the characters
and their fates, despite knowing from history that Nathan must die in
the end. Throughout the story, I cheered for Nathan and Alice, booed the
villains, and was amazed by all I learned about the American Revolution
and colonial life. As a historical novelist myself, I greatly
appreciated Akers’ pacing and her research that she worked into the
story to give it color and purpose while never lecturing or trying to
teach the reader. Akers shines especially in writing dialogue, capturing
the phrasing and sentiments of the period. The conversations between
characters often made me stop and think, “What these people are upset
about is the same situation we Americans are facing with our government
today.” That Akers makes the novel so relevant to the present day
without ever overtly stating the parallels is the true mark of an expert
novelist. Halestorm is a novel to read and enjoy, but also a novel to
learn from, reminding us not to cave into living with a government our
forefathers would have rejected and gave their lives to free themselves
from. I especially admired Akers’ use of dialogue to bring these
comparisons between the past and present to life. Here is just a short
sample: “So you think we ought to take arms against the king, Master
Hale?” The judge’s voice climbed so high this time it cracked. By now,
everyone in the room was craning to see him. “That—that’s treason!”
Nathan shook his head. “We’re free English citizens, aren’t we? That
means we have a contract with the government. We submit to it and obey
the laws—” “Hear, hear!” “—long as—” He paused, allowing the tumult to
die. “Long as king and Parliament honor their end of things. They’ve got
to protect our lives, liberty, and property.” “’Course, and that’s why
the king disarmed that mob in Boston, to keep the peace, don’t you see.”
Nathan stood with arms akimbo. “How does a government impose its will on
its subjects?” He waited for an answer, as if they were in class. Zeke
Simpson’s father obliged. “By force.” “Yes, by force. We saw what
happens when we don’t want to pay taxes. The king sends soldiers here,
with guns, to force us to pay. Only way to resist is by bringing our own
guns against those soldiers. The king knows that, so his army marched
against the stores at Concord to disarm us. A government deprives the
people of their rights, it’s a good bet they’ll rebel unless it disarms
them first. Tyrants always disarm the people.” “He’s right!” Mr.
Simpson shouted. “’Twill be our death the day they have more muskets
than us.” Halestorm reveals just how relevant the issues of the American
Revolution remain today. Akers’ realistic historical characters make
difficult choices that affect their personal happiness and the future of
an emerging nation. This stunning tale emphasizes the true cost of
freedom and the debt we owe to those who make the sacrifice. I highly
recommend this book to everyone who is proud to be an American, everyone
who is a lover of history, and everyone who cares about America’s future.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Jim_Wetzel
Posted August 31, 2012
Having just read this book, I'm happy to recommend it. The author brings substantial historical expertise to the task of "bringing alive" not only Nathan Hale, but a number of other persons from the beginning of the American Revolution. To me, the narrative is reminiscent of C.S Forester's Hornblower books -- you get a satisfying flavor of another time, while at the same time being reminded that the people of that time, instead of being two-dimensional cardboard cutouts from history class, are moved by many of the same things that move you and me through our own not-so-well-known lives: universal matters at the center of the human heart and soul. Get reading -- you'll like it!
NeilA
Posted August 18, 2012
Many of us know how American war hero Nathan Hale died, but very little about his life before he uttered his famous last words. In her stunning first novel Halestorm, writer Becky Akers vividly creates a world of both familiar tranquility and revolutionary fervor, full of daring conquests and inspiring political intrigue in which Hale is completely at ease.
Akers also gives her readers a compelling love story, one in which our hero is torn between honor and desire, and in which he must vie with a dastardly villain for the affection of the one woman he craves but who is mysteriously forbidden to him.
The plot builds to a dramatic finale in which all three protagonists find themselves immersed in the British assault on New York City; the story is so compelling that the last hundred pages go by like a house afire!
You won't want to put Halestorm down as you are quickly transported into its world of 18th-century values and conflicts. I enthusiastically recommend this exciting new novel.
Anonymous
Posted August 18, 2012
Many of us know how American war hero Nathan Hale died, but very little about his life before he uttered his famous last words. In her stunning first novel Halestorm, writer Becky Akers vividly creates a world of both familiar tranquility and revolutionary fervor, full of daring conquests and inspiring political intrigue in which Hale is completely at ease.
Akers also gives her readers a compelling love story, one in which our hero is torn between honor and desire, and in which he must vie with a dastardly villain for the affection of the one woman he craves but who is mysteriously forbidden to him.
The plot builds to a dramatic finale in which all three protagonists find themselves immersed in the British assault on New York City; the story is so compelling that the last hundred pages go by like a house afire!
You won't want to put Halestorm down as you are quickly transported into its world of 18th-century values and conflicts. I enthusiastically recommend this exciting new novel.
Overview
Meet the American Revolution’s most endearing hero: Nathan Hale, the 21-year-old spy who "only regretted he had but one life to give for his country." Caught between honor and romance, Nathan must forfeit the woman he hopes to marry, even as a rival for her hand vows to win her at any cost. Their contest culminates in a British ...