Category: Books/Museum Reviews
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Taking Midway by Martin Dugard
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Taking Midway: When reading the mail was so important. Quick synopsis: The story of Midway Island and the battle which turned the tide of World War II in the Pacific. Fact for Non-History People: The Japanese lost 3,000 personnel in comparison to the U.S.’s about 300. Fact for History Nerds: Midway…
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Mark Twain by Ron Chernow
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Mark Twain: Let him write. Don’t let him business. Quick synopsis: A biography of iconic writer and terrible businessman, Mark Twain. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Twain served on the Confederate side in the Civil War although rather briefly. Fun Fact for History Nerds: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is…
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The Art Spy by Michelle Young
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Art Spy: An unconventional spy. Quick synopsis: The story of World War II French spy, Rose Valland. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1791. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Hitler was rejected twice from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. My Take on The…
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The Mesopotamian Riddle by Joshua Hammer
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Mesopotamian Riddle: Nerdiest race ever. Quick synopsis: The story of the race to decipher one of the world’s oldest dead languages. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Cuneiform means “wedge-shaped” which makes a lot of sense when you look at it. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Cuneiform is one of…
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The Peepshow by Kate Summerscale
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline The Peepshow: Worst liar ever. Except for that one time. Quick synopsis: The story of World War II era serial killer Reg Christie and the possible execution of an innocent man. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: There was at least two serial killers in London during the World War II era.…
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Tower by Nigel Jones
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Tower: Prisoners, jewels, and animals, oh my! Quick synopsis: The story of the Tower of London. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: It was actually a zoo for a while! Wait, sorry, not aristocratic enough. It was a menagerie. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Short list of big names kept in…
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Strangers in the Land by Michael Luo
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Strangers in the Land: It didn’t get better once the railroads were finished. Quick synopsis: The story of Chinese immigrants who came to America. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: It took seven weeks for news of the death of President Zachary Taylor to reach California. Fun Fact for History Nerds:…
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The Rebel Romanov by Helen Rappaport
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Rebel Romanov: Even princesses deserve second acts. Quick synopsis: The life of Jule Saxe-Coburg and her flight from Russian court life. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Actual note from Grand Duke Alexander to his future wife included this tidbit that she reported that he was, “authorized by his parents…
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Peter the Great by Robert Massie
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Peter the Great: He was enlightened and a drunk. A man after my own heart. Quick synopsis: A (very, very) in depth biography of Peter the Great of Russia. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Peter took what might be the first “gap year” ever. In 1697, he took a group…