Category: Books/Museum Reviews

  • Original Sin by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson

    (Note: Just doing the review without the bells and whistles for this one since it wasn’t originally on my review schedule) There is no way to fully avoid politics when it comes to this book. I feel it is important I confess my own personal feelings while reviewing this book. The best way to do…

  • The Sailing of the Intrepid by Montel Williams and David Fisher

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Sailing of the Intrepid: Old habits die hard. Quick synopsis: The story of how in 1944 the crew of the USS Intrepid used old school methods to make it home. Fact for Non-History People: Yes, that Montel Williams is the author. He is an Annapolis grad (Go Army!) and is…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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.…

  • 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…

  • 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:…