Category: Books/Museum Reviews
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The Last Adieu by Ryan Cole
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Last Adieu: It was one hell of an adieu. Quick synopsis: The story of when the Marquis Lafayette returned to America decades after the revolution. Fact for Non-History People: Lafayette was commissioned a major general at the age of 19. Fact for History Nerds: Lafayette drafted the influential Declaration of…
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When You Come at the King by Elie Honig
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for When You Come at the King: You best not miss. Quick synopsis: A look at the U.S. Special Counsel cases from Nixon to today. Fact for Non-History People: In the first 18 years after the adoption of the Special Counsel, there was only one. Fact for History Nerds: However, starting in…
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Ghosted by Alice Vernon
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Ghosted: Quick synopsis: A look at the history of ghost hunting including the charlatans and the unbelievers. Fact for Non-History People: A Gallup poll in 2005 of 1,000 found that 73% believed in some kind of paranormal activity. Fact for History Nerds: 32% of those people believed in ghosts, specifically. …
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1999 by Ross Benes
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for 1999: Unhappy? Blame a 90s kid. Quick synopsis: A look at how the culture of 1999 reverberates today. Fact for Non-History People: Donald Trump is in the WWE Hall of Fame. Fact for History Nerds: In some markets, Jerry Springer was actually beating Oprah in the ratings. My Take on…
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The Great American Retro Road Trip by Rolando Pujol
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Great American Retro Road Trip: Too many of these things were during my lifetime. I feel so old. Quick synopsis: A look at all the best retro places and things around the United States. Fact for Non-History People: “Retro” is derived from the Latin word for “backward.” That checks. Fact…
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Captain Kidd by Samuel Marquis
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Captain Kidd: Always keep the receipts. Quick synopsis: The story of how Captain William Kidd was wrongly convicted of privacy. Fact for Non-History People: The vast majority of pirates never buried their treasure. Except the one in this book, that is. Fact for History Nerds: Pirates sometimes wore eye patches to…
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The Plantagenets by Dan Jones
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Plantagenets: When in doubt, make them sign the Magna Carta again. Quick synopsis: The story of the House of Plantagenet in England (and some other places, kinda). Fact for Non-History People: “Plantagenet” does have to do with plants! It’s from Latin for broom flower. Whatever that is. Fact for History…
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Women of War by Suzanne Cope
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Women of War: If you are going to switch sides, go all the way. Quick synopsis: A look at four Italian women who joined the Resistance from German control in World War II. Fact for Non-History People: There were roughly 200,000 Italian partisans in World War II. Fact for History Nerds:…
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Freedom Ship by Marcus Rediker
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Freedom Ship: If you can’t run, sail. Quick synopsis: A look at the Underground Railroad but from a maritime perspective. Fact for Non-History People: If you broke the original Fugitive Slave Law, you might get a fine of around $15,000 in today’s dollars. Later, the penalties increased a lot. Fact for…