Category: Books/Museum Reviews
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Guest Post! Ryan Woolf’s Review of Hero of Two Worlds: The Marquis de Lafayette in the Age of Revolution by Mike Duncan
Alternate Tagline for Hero of Two Worlds: I thought there would be more rap battles. Quick synopsis: The fascinating life story of The Marquis de Lafayette. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The Marquis de Lafayette was childhood friends with King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette; he had a surrogate father/son relationship with George…
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I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for I’m Glad My Mom Died: Thank God my mom is not like her mom. Quick synopsis: A memoir by former child star, Jennette McCurdy. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Miranda Cosgrove seems like a good person and a good friend. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Ariana Grande seems like a…
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American Mother by Gregg Olsen
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for American Mother: Family dinners must be awkward. Quick synopsis: The story of a 1986 true crime case where people were killed by tainted medicine. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Cyanide smells like bitter almonds. Stick to peanuts. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Anything I’d say here is a spoiler. Just…
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The Rebel and the Kingdom by Bradley Hope
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Rebel and the Kingdom: You should always have a plan B when raiding an embassy. Quick synopsis: The story of an armed raid on a North Korean embassy and the person who made it happen. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: North Korea divides their people into 51 categories. About…
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The Last Hill by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Last Hill: Yeah, they always say one more hill. Then there’s always another hill. Quick synopsis: The story of “Rudder’s Rangers” in World War II. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: When the U.S. first entered World War II 85% of war resources were allotted to Europe as opposed to…
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The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams by Stacy Schiff
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams: He’s more than just a beer! Quick synopsis: A biography of the overshadowed Adams, Samuel. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: He was never called “Sam.” Always Samuel. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Adams was gifted a slave from his mother-in-law. He immediately had her emancipated. Surrey…
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Harbinger by Shelley Puhak
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Harbinger: And now for something completely different. Quick synopsis: A collection of poems by Shelley Puhak. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: It’s a poetry book so none. Fun Fact for History Nerds: See previous fun fact. My Take on Harbinger: I know, I know. “Brendan, this is called History Nerds…
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In the Mouth of the Wolf by Katherine Corcoran
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for In the Mouth of the Wolf: Well, this ruins my planned trip to Mexico. Quick synopsis: A journalist’s attempt to solve the murder of fellow journalist, Regina Martinez. Fun Fact for Non-History People Will Like: 10 journalists were killed in Mexico in 2010. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Between 2004 and…
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Death by Fire and Ice by Brian E. O’Connor
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Death by Fire and Ice: My vote is the fire part is worse. Quick synopsis: The story of the sinking of the steamboat Lexington in 1840 and how it all happened. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Cornelius Vanderbilt started out working on his father’s New York ferry. Fun Fact for…