The Year of the Hangman

-In 1776, the rebellion of the colonies against British rule was crushed. Now, in 1777—the year of the hangman—George Washington is awaiting execution, Benjamin Franklin’s banned rebel newspaper, Liberty Tree, has gone underground, and young Creighton Brown, a fifteen year old Brit has just arrived in the colonies. With nothing but an attitude and empty pockets, Creighton lands a job with Franklin’s print shop. The English general expects the spoiled yet loyal Creighton to spy on the legendary printer. But as battles unfold and falsehoods are exposed, Creighton must decide where his loyalties lie. This book is readable and will intrigue fans of alternative history. It is simple and the plot is a string of coincidences but show more enjoyable enough. The conclusion and revelation that America is great, England evil is annoying and taints the entirety of the book as a one-sided flag waver. Not great, not bad, okay. show less

A unique story that shows what could have happened if only a few things changed during the American Revolutionary War. The loss of a few key figures could have changed the entire course of history. Buckle up for a roller coaster experience with the main character as you go from hating him to feeling sympathetic at the end.

From Publishers Weekly

In this adventurous, if somewhat unrealistic, novel, Blackwood (The Shakespeare Stealer) imagines what would have happened if the Americans lost the Revolutionary War. In 1777 (called the Year of the Hangman "because the three sevens in the date resembled the miniature gallows" and because of all the British traitors hanged), spoiled 15-year-old Creighton is taken from London by force, and sent to the Colonies to live with his uncle. But when Creighton accompanies his uncle, an unkind Englishman named Colonel Gower, to a new post in West Florida, their boat is seized by patriot privateers, led by the infamous Benedict Arnold. They bring the prisoners to the Spanish territory of New Orleans and imprison Gower, but show more take Creighton to live with Benjamin Franklin. Creighton agrees to spy for Gower, discovering that Franklin publishes a revolutionary paper, but his conscience begins to bother him. Not only are Franklin and his friends kind to Creighton but the lines between what is "good or bad, right or wrong" blur. A few characters seem stilted, such as Sophie, a hot-headed, French-speaking maid, and Peter, a warmhearted giant. But history buffs will recognize some clever dialogue ("It's a far more difficult thing to make up your own mind about what's right and act accordingly," Arnold tells Creighton) and the hero struggles with compelling questions, such as the meaning of honor and the value of war. Jail escapes, duels, code-breaking and more keep the story moving. show less

This book takes place during the Revolutionary War, however it describes what it would be like if the British won. It is an interesting read because it has a good mix of historical figures and fiction. There is some action in the book that keeps you turning pages!

I really enjoyed this book. It was very different, instead of the Americans winning the revolutionary war, the British had won. It is a complete twist of history. If you like a lot of action you will like this book.

Kind of a typical "Coming of age" story about a rebellious, annoying teenager who finally learns to grow up and gain some majority. More interesting from a historical standpoint than a literary one.

Alternative History, what if the American Revolution was a rebellion that was but down by the British, this book takes a journey through what might have been. Good read