Mad Boy: An Account of Henry Phipps in the War of 1812

Colorado Book Award Winner for Literary Fiction: "The colorful characters make this account of the War of 1812 a rollicking page-turner" (Publishers Weekly). In the early nineteenth century, young Henry Phipps is on a quest to realize his dying mother's last wish: to be buried at sea, surrounded by her family. Not an easy task considering Henry's ne'er-do-well father is in debtors' prison and his comically earnest older brother is busy fighting the redcoats on the battlefields of Maryland. But Henry's stubborn determination knows no bounds. As he dodges the cannon fire of clashing armies and picks among the ruins of a burning capital, he meets looters, British defectors, renegade slaves, a pregnant maiden in distress, and scoundrels of all types. Mad Boy is at once an antic adventure and a thoroughly convincing work of historical fiction that recreates a young nation's first truly international conflict and a key moment in the history of the emancipation of African American slaves. Entertaining, atmospheric, and touching, it is "a wartime coming-of-age story filled with nonstop action and genuine pathos" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). "This brilliant musket blast of a novel--in which the lucky reader will encounter falling cows, repurposed pickle barrels, fascinating schemes and fabulous schemers--is alive with humor, heat and heart. Mad Boy is a tremendous accomplishment. Nick Arvin is the real thing." --Laird Hunt, author of Neverhome

About the Author :
Nick Arvin's first novel, Articles of War, was named one of the best books of the year by Esquire, Detroit Free Press, Rocky Mountain News, and The Independent. It won the Rosenthal Foundation Award, the American Academy of Arts and Letters Boyd Award, and was selected for the One Book, One Denver reading program. His second novel, The Reconstructionist, was described as "thrilling and soulful" by David Wroblewski and was selected by Amazon as a Best Book of the Month. Arvin's fiction has appeared in The New Yorker and numerous other periodicals. He is a graduate of the Iowa Writers Workshop. He lives in Denver.

Review :
Praise for Nick Arvin For The Reconstructionist "Nick Arvin is an immensely gifted writer, and he has given us a thrilling, soulful book." --David Wroblewski, author of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle "Remarkable." --The Denver Post "A masterpiece of modern fiction." --Cortright McMeel, author of Short "Nick Arvin has accomplished what only a handful of writers have managed--he has crafted a spare and perfect masterwork." --Mark Spragg, author of An Unfinished Life For Articles of War "A compact, intense first novel." --New York Times Book Review "Heartbreaking...powerful...unforgettable." --Chicago Tribune "A gem of a book . . . Beautifully written and timely." --Washington Post "A textbook example of how clear and precise writing can carry a narrative." --USA Today Praise for Nick Arvin For The Reconstructionist "Nick Arvin is an immensely gifted writer, and he has given us a thrilling, soulful book." --David Wroblewski, author of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle "Remarkable." --The Denver Post "A masterpiece of modern fiction." --Cortright McMeel, author of Short "Nick Arvin has accomplished what only a handful of writers have managed-- he has crafted a spare and perfect masterwork." --Mark Spragg, author of An Unfinished Life For Articles of War "A compact, intense first novel." --New York Times Book Review "Heartbreaking...powerful...unforgettable." --Chicago Tribune "A gem of a book . . . Beautifully written and timely." --Washington Post "A textbook example of how clear and precise writing can carry a narrative." --USA Today