Category: Books/Museum Reviews
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Fragile Cargo by Adam Brookes
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Fragile Cargo: Never has luggage been so exciting! Quick synopsis: The story of the race to save China’s imperial treasures before and during World War II. Fact for Non-History People: In 1860 British and French troops looted imperial treasures including a litter of Pekingese puppies. One was given to Queen Victoria…
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Among the Bros by Max Marshall
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Among the Bros: Bros being bros. Quick synopsis: The story of a drug ring centered around fraternity members at the College of Charleston. Fact for Non-History People: How ingrained is Greek life in America? Only 2% of the population is involved in Greek life but they make up 80% of Fortune…
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Too Much Sea for Their Decks by Michael Schumacher
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Too Much Sea for Their Decks: Never go on a Great Lake in November. Quick synopsis: A look at shipwrecks on Lake Superior. Fact for Non-History People: Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world with 31,700 square miles of surface area. Fact for History Nerds: November shipwrecks on…
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White House Wild Child by Shelley Fraser Mickle
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for White House Wild Child: Whoa, oh, sweet child o’Teddy. Quick synopsis: A look at the life of Teddy Roosevelt’s daughter (and renowned hellion) Alice Roosevelt. Fact for Non-History People: Teddy bears are named after Teddy Roosevelt because of his love of hunting. Fact for History Nerds: How “in demand” was Alice?…
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God Save Benedict Arnold by Jack Kelly
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for God Save Benedict Arnold: Arnold sucks, but the book is good! Quick synopsis: A look at Benedict Arnold through the lens of his battlefield prowess. Fact for Non-History People: Arnold had two wives named Peggy. The similarities ended there, though. Fact for History Nerds: Arnold would have been paid 20,000 pounds…
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Sailing the Graveyard Sea by Richard Snow
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Sailing the Graveyard Sea: When nepotism gets you hung from the yardarm. Quick synopsis: The story of the U.S. Navy’s only recorded mutiny. Fact for Non-History People: The mutiny is one of the major drivers to the establishment of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. (Note: Go Army, Beat Navy.)…
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Fierce Ambition by Jennet Conant
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Fierce Ambition: Journalists being hostile with each other? You don’t say. Quick synopsis: A biography of war correspondent Maggie Higgins. Fact for Non-History People: In the 1940s, American women did 80% of the nation’s buying. Fact for History Nerds: There were 325 accredited American war correspondents in World War II. 38…
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The Ship Beneath the Ice by Mensun Bound
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Ship Beneath the Ice: Ok, I’d get on a boat for something like this. Quick synopsis: The story of finding Shackleton’s ship, Endurance. Fact for Non-History People: In the last 35 years, the Adelie penguin population has decreased 80%. SAVE THE PENGUINS!! Fact for History Nerds: Due to salinity, seawater…
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The Art Thief by Michael Finkel
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Art Thief: Fine, let’s do a heist. Quick synopsis: The story of Stéphane Breitwieser. The world’s most prolific art thief. Fact for Non-History People: It is estimated Breitwieser stole art worth $2 billion dollars. Yes, BILLIONS. Fact for History Nerds: Myles Connor Jr. was a member of MENSA and also…