Nathan Hale

Nathan Hale is remembered in American history because as he faced execution by the British for being a spy during the American Revolution, he uttered his famous final words: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." This juvenile biography tells the rest of his story, which actually proves equally fascinating. It seems Nathan Hale was a teacher who believed women deserved to be educated as well as men. Not only did he speak on that topic at his graduation from Yale, he held classes for young girls from 5 to 7 each morning before his regular classes. That alone should prove fascinating to young readers of this book. Still, there is relatively little known about Hale's life; it seems fully half of what we really know about him comes from the events surrounding his hanging. We know about his military commissions and while they speak to the respect others had for him, there are relatively few details about any of his military exploits. Loree Lough takes what little is really known and develops it in the context of the movement for Independence and the American Revolution. Consequently, she tries to give a feel for what Hale was thinking as he took the steps that would eventually lead to his death. Students assigned to researching the life of Nathan Hale, or teachers wanting to get beyond what the sentence or two devoted to him in their history textbooks, will find this a more than adequate source of information. Other titles in the Revolutionary War Leaders series look at statesmen like Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson, patriots like Paul Revere and Betsy Ross, and political leaders like George Washington and Alexander Hamilton.

This is a book about a great Revolutionary War hero. What is particulary beneficial about this book is that the author has set Nathan Hale's life story into its historical context. It helps children (and adults alike) fill in why Nathan made the choices he did. This book also includes many primary resources within the text. It's very readable. I would recommend this book to any child who wants wants to learn more about Connecticut's state hero.