The war ended more on weariness than one concluding victory. The animals help put some emotional distance between the reader and bloody war however, the mind-blowing scale of death and destruction with the advent of trench warfare and new weaponry is still conveyed. The Americans end up being bunnies and British bulldogs in a funny argument between the Provost and Hale. Hale obliges Hangman and the countries argue when they want similar animals.
Provost loves it and Hangman is horrified. Nathan Hale (the character) tells Hangman and Provost about WWI using formal language that parodies so many dry historical textbooks students slog through in school. I just wouldn't recommend starting with this one.
Of course, I read it on a 25 hour start-to-finish trip to another country, so perhaps my jet lag was mirroring the war weariness of WWI. That said, the topic is so big and so overwhelming, I didn't like this book as well as the other three. His portrayal of the ever-growing mythical god, Ares, shows him normal sized and angry to gigantic and maniacal by the end, illustrating the insanity of the war. The countries are represented by animals adding terrific humor to a sober tale. I always snag some weird fact from his graphic novels this one had "Cher Ami" the hero pigeon. Hale knows how to simplify facts, add humor, and provide visual aides that help not only students, but adults learn history. The latest novel, book 4, is a breathless overview of the complexities of World War I and all the players. His pacing in real life is reflected in his Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales series. He had about three minutes to promote his book before a bell rang and he moved on to the next table. Holding his iPad like an auctioneer, he showed the different helmets from this book giving funny facts and holding the attention of the ten people at the table. Nathan Hale entertained people during an "Author Klatch" at the American Library Association conference this summer.
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