Category: Books/Museum Reviews
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The Long Run by Martin Dugard
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Long Run: Much easier to read this than actually run. Quick synopsis: The story of the marathon and the worldwide running boom. Fact for Non-History People: The marathon distance wasn’t officially standardized at 26.2 miles until 1921. It was very complicated before that. Fact for History Nerds: The fastest official…
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Athens and Sparta by Adrian Goldsworthy
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Athens and Sparta: THIS! IS! Well, Athens and Sparta. Not just the one. Quick synopsis: The story of the ancient Greek city-states of Athens and Sparta. Fact for Non-History People: At its peak, Athens had a population of 250,000 – 300,000 people. Fact for History Nerds: Sparta had two hereditary kings…
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Hammer of the Gods by Don Hollway
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Hammer of the Gods: Have hammer. Will travel. Quick synopsis: The story of King Olaf and his conquests. Fact for Non-History People: Olaf attacked England which was ruled at that time by Aethelred the Unready. Aethelred later became Olaf’s godfather because that’s how they rolled back then. Fact for History Nerds:…
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Days of Love and Rage by Anand Gopal
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Days of Love and Rage: It takes a city. Quick synopsis: The story of the city of Manbij, Syria during the Syrian Revolution. Fact for Non-History People: The revolution would last 13 years and result in over 500,000 deaths. Fact for History Nerds: In 2023, while the revolution was still ongoing,…
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The Fallen by Louise Brangan
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Fallen: Talk about dirty laundry. Quick synopsis: The story of the Magdalene Laundries of Ireland where “fallen” women were confined. Fact for Non-History People: It is estimated the laundries confined an estimated 30,000 women and girls from the 18th to late 20th century. Fact for History Nerds: The last laundry…
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The Lost Cities of El Norte by Peter Stark
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Lost Cities of El Norte: “Lost” being a very relative term in this case. Quick synopsis: The expedition of Coronado into the future American West. Fact for Non-History People: Around 1500, the Pueblo population in the Southwest was estimated to be between 40,000 and 80,000. Fact for History Nerds: Coronado’s…
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Like, Follow, Subscribe by Fortesa Latifi
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Like, Follow, Subscribe: Unsubscribe. Quick synopsis: A look at people using their kids for social media attention. Fact for Non-History People: Over 3.9 million moms identify as bloggers in the U.S. alone. Fact for History Nerds: Top parenting influencers make up to $5 million annually. My Take on Like, Follow, Subscribe:…
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The Graces by Breeze Barrington
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Graces: It’s all fun and games until someone loses their head. Quick synopsis: A look at the lives of women at the English Restoration Court. Fact for Non-History People: After the Restoration, women were allowed to act in public theaters for the first time. Fact for History Nerds: Charles II…
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Last Branch Standing by Sarah Isgur
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Last Branch Standing: Let’s see what’s under those robes. Quick synopsis: A look at the Supreme Court and what is really going on there. Fact for Non-History People: In the current SCOTUS configuration, a 6-3 ruling along ideological lines is one of the least likely outcome for a case. Fact for…