The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party Resources

This book doesn't go easy on historical knowledge, but worry not—we've got you covered.

We know, we know: the book doesn't actually ever take place in the Virginia colony. But it does get mentioned quite a few times, so if you want to know more about the place Bono got sent to, here you go.

How did slaves figure into the making of the Constitution? We know you're just burning to find out.

The truth of Cassiopeia's own background might be up for debate, but the Kingdom of Oyo is (or was, we should say) as real as things get. Get info on the rise and fall, and the role the slave trade played in Oyo.

Of course you're itching to get your hands on some of the books Octavian reads, like this one—Plutarch's Lives, especially "The Life of Crassus." We know—it's not exactly about Spartacus, but it does feature him in a big way:

This is Anderson's official website, where you get to find out all he thinks you need to know about him:

So you want to be as well-read as Octavian? Here's a whole database of Greco-Roman classics for you to comb through.

Here's another PBS piece. This time, a focused look on the education of slaves.

African Americans were key players in the American Revolution, and this site has loads of information on their contributions.

Or, at least, what one reviewer from the British paper The Guardian thinks about Anderson's book. Spoiler: this reviewer thinks the book is pretty awesome.

… The New York Times loves you. And they really love "Anderson's imaginative and highly intelligent exploration of the horrors of human experimentation and the ambiguous history of America's origins."

A hyper-intelligent, hyper-literary, free-ranging "conversation" between two YA authors, one of them being M.T. Anderson himself.

By the way, we aren't the only ones who think Bono and Prince should be on the soundtrack for this book.

Anderson digs deep into Octavian and his experience in this one.

Like so many good books, Octavian Nothing has (at least) two different covers to its name: one with Octavian in an iron mask; another of some pastoral New England scene. Which one do you think works better? Compare away!

Just so you know, M.T. Anderson likes a game of Twister.