Author: Brendan Dowd
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The Sugar Barons by Matthew Parker
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Sugar Barons: Before the tea party was the sugar hell. Quick synopsis: The story of how a sugar empire was built in the Caribbean in the years after 1650. Fact for Non-History People: Processing sugar could kill you in many ways including by exploding stills. Fun Fact for History Nerds:…
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Little Pieces of Hope by Todd Doughty
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Little Pieces of Hope: Oh look, I’m smiling. Smiling is my favorite. Quick synopsis: A whole bunch of stuff to make you feel good about life. Fact for Non-History People: Ann Landers and Dear Abbey were twin sisters! Fact for History Nerds: The ruins of Pompeii were discovered in 1748. My…
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King John by Marc Morris
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline: Yup, he sucked as much as Robin Hood said he did. Maybe worse. Quick synopsis: A complete biography of King John of England. Fact for Non-History People: John rebelled against his father with his brother and then tried to steal power from his brother when he ascended. Fact for History Nerds: The…
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Last Hope Island by Lynne Olson
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Last Hope Island: I mean, it was a lot more than just one island. Quick synopsis: The story of the refugee governments who went to England to fight on during World War II. Fact for Non-History People: Polish fighter pilots kicked all sorts of ass. Remember that before you make a…
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Augustus by Adrian Goldsworthy
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Augustus: Always remember to pay your bodyguards. Quick synopsis: A biography of Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome. Fact for Non-History People: Yes, that’s where we get August from. The month is named after him. It used to be Sextilis. August is definitely catchier. Fact for History Nerds: Augustus ushered in…
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Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
No review for today, but whatever holiday you celebrate I hope it is a happy and healthy one! Go enjoy it!
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Astoria by Peter Stark
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Astoria: This has nothing to do with the Goonies. Sorry. Quick synopsis: The story of John Jacob Astor trying to populate the Pacific Northwest and monopolize the fur trade in the area. Fact for Non-History People: Astoria, Oregon is named after John Jacob Astor. He never stepped foot there. Too busy…
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Season of Shattered Dreams by Eric Vickrey
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Season of Shattered Dreams: No more buses on mountains for me. Quick synopsis: The story of the deadliest accident in American professional sports where a baseball team’s bus crashed off a mountain in 1946. Fact for Non-History People: More than 500 major leaguers served in World War II. Fact for History…
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Elizabeth Reese talks the Return of American Revolution Hero the Marquis de Lafayette
Let’s welcome back the Marquis! Elizabeth Reese joins me to discuss her book Marquis de Lafayette Returns: A Tour of America’s National Capital Region. I finally found someone to nerd out with about my favorite Frenchman. Come listen! Buy Marquis de Lafayette ReturnsCheck out Elizabeth’s website