Category: Books/Museum Reviews
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Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young by Zayd Ayers Dohrn
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young: Mother knows best. I mean bombs. Quick synopsis: A memoir about the author growing up on the run with his fugitive parents who were the leaders of the Weather Underground. Fact for Non-History People: Between 1970 and 1975, the WUO carried out roughly 25 bombings targeting…
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The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby by Michael Blanding
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby: Crafts be thy name. Quick synopsis: A look at the Green Family who created Hobby Lobby and used the proceeds in very specific ways. Fact for Non-History People: Hobby Lobby was founded in 1970 with a $600 loan. Fact for History Nerds: Hobby Lobby generates…
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The Great Shadow by Susan Wise Bauer
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Great Shadow: This book does not cover the man-cold, unfortunately. Quick synopsis: A look at illness throughout history. Fact for Non-History People: Smallpox is the only disease eradicated by man. Fact for History Nerds: Technically, rinderpest has also been eradicated, but that’s for livestock. My Take on The Great Shadow:…
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Imperfect Union by Lawrence Goldstone
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Imperfect Union: And we’ve been arguing ever since. Quick synopsis: A look at the U.S. Constitutional Convention and how the compromises reverberate today. Fact for Non-History People: Rhode Island was the only state to boycott the convention entirely. Fact for History Nerds: The youngest delegate was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton of New…
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Fires in the Night by Matthew Wolfe
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Fires in the Night: Let’s save the Earth by lighting stuff on fire! Makes sense to me. Quick synopsis: The story of a cell within the Earth Liberation Front (ELF). Fact for Non-History People: It is estimated the group performed hundreds of criminal acts in the late 1990s and 2000s. Fact…
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The Summer of Death by Geoff Williams
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Summer of Death: This is why I get the AC serviced regularly. Quick synopsis: A look at the deadly heat wave summer of 1936. Fact for Non-History People: It is estimated that 5,000 people died from the summer heat. Fact for History Nerds: 13 state heat records were set that…
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Stolen Revolution by Yeganeh Torbati and Bozorgmehr Sharafedin
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Stolen Revolution: Seems rather timely under the current circumstances. Quick synopsis: A look at Iran after the revolution of 1979. Fact for Non-History People: Female literacy rates skyrocketed from under 30% to over 80% post-revolution. Fact for History Nerds: However, over 60% of Iranians are under 30 and want reform. My…
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By the River’s Edge by Gregg Olsen
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for By the River’s Edge: Donna has a lot of explaining to do. Quick synopsis: The story of a Spokane, Washington serial killer. Fact for Non-History People: California has produced the most serial killers in the U.S. Fact for History Nerds: Alaska, however, has the most per capita when accounting for population.…
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American Men by Jordan Ritter Conn
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for American Men: If I can be one, anybody could pull it off. Quick synopsis: A look at four people wrestling with what masculinity is to them. Fact for Non-History People: Men make up 49% to 49.5% of the U.S. population. We’re outnumbered! Fact for History Nerds: More boys than girls are…