How to Dodge a Cannonball

A Novel

De: Dennard Dayle

Narrado por: William DeMeritt

“Both the author and the narrator succeed notably in this funny, trenchant debut novel. William DeMeritt uses all his acting skills plus a strong narrative delivery to portray the wide cast of characters who live in this audiobook.”—AudioFile

How to Dodge a Cannonball is a razor-sharp satire that dives into the heart of the Civil War, hilariously questioning the essence of the fight, not just for territory, but for the soul of America.

How to Dodge a Cannonball is funnier than the Civil War should ever be. It follows Anders, a teenage idealist who enlists and reenlists to shape the American Future—as soon as he figures out what that is, who it includes, and why everyone wants him to die for it. Escaping his violently insane mother is a bonus.

Anders finds honor as a proud Union flag twirler—until he’s captured. Then he tries life as a diehard Confederate—until fate asks him to die hard for the Confederacy at Gettysburg. Barely alive, Anders limps into a Black Union regiment in a stolen uniform. While visibly white, he claims to be an octoroon, and they claim to believe him. Only then does his life get truly strange.

His new brothers are even stranger, including a science-fiction playwright, a Haitian double agent, and a former slave feuding with God. Despite his best efforts, Anders starts seeing the war through their eyes, sparking ill-timed questions about who gets to be American or exploit the theater of war. Dennard Dayle’s satire spares no one as doomed charges, draft riots, gleeful arms dealers, and native suppression campaigns test everyone’s definition of loyalty.

Uproariously funny and revelatory, How to Dodge a Cannonball asks if America is worth fighting for. And then answers loudly. Listen to it while it’s still legal.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.

©2025 Dennard Dayle (P)2025 Macmillan Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

One of LitHub’s “Most Anticipated Books of 2025”

“This epic novel channels the absurdity of Catch-22 and the whimsical invention of The Intuitionist. It’s a blast.”—Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

“A heightened examination of America, this funny historical novel puts Dayle’s comedic chops front and center.”—James Folta, LitHub

“Dennard Dayle’s second book certifies his talent. I can’t think of a wittier, more hilarious or more relevant young writer. How to Dodge a Cannonball is the great Civil War novel I didn’t know I needed, but now it is never leaving my shelf.”—Gary Shteyngart, New York Times bestselling author of Our Country Friends and Super Sad True Love Story

Very interesting!

Great story! Very imaginative. I’m not a civil war buff but it makes me want to learn more! Even if itjj be isn’t historically accurate. It’s very good

Cute book

I thought the writing was funny and the reader was perfect. It was a fun book.

Worst book

This was the worst book I’ve read all year, it was so bad I couldn’t finish it.

Enough with the flag twirling

The plot is demanding. Characters are not engaging. By the midpoint, I was wanting it to end and put me out of my misery, just like the soldiers.