Category: Books/Museum Reviews
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Blood and the Badge by Michael Cannell
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Blood and the Badge: Sometimes the apple falls right next to the damn tree. Quick synopsis: The story of two corrupt NYPD detectives in the 1980s. Fact for Non-History People: When an internal police trial is conducted there is no fifth amendment protections or appeals. Fact for History Nerds: Actual mafia…
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Somewhere Towards Freedom by Bennett Parten
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Somewhere Towards Freedom: A brutal army march was way better than the alternative. Quick synopsis: A look at Sherman’s March focusing on the stories of the newly freed slaves that followed his army. Fact for Non-History People: By the time Sherman reached Savannah, there were 20,000 freed slaves with him. Fact…
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Our Ancient Faith by Allen Guelzo
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Our Ancient Faith: The ultimate democracy fanboy. Quick synopsis: A look at how Abraham Lincoln treasured and communicated his love for American democracy. Fact for Non-History People: Abraham Lincoln is in the Wrestling Hall of Fame. Fact for History Nerds: Lincoln is the only president who holds a patent. It was…
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Save Our Souls by Matthew Pearl
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Save Our Souls: Probably shouldn’t trust the crazy dude you meet on a deserted island. Quick synopsis: The story of the shipwreck of the Wandering Minstrel and the attempts at survival of the captain’s family and the crew. Fact for Non-History People: Elizabeth Walker, the captain’s wife, would unknowingly become the…
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The Apache Wars by Paul Andrew Hutton
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Apache Wars: Everything is inevitable if you are stubborn enough. Quick synopsis: A chronicle of the Apache Wars which was really a bunch of smaller wars over about 30 years. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Nickname fail: One of the main characters was half white, half Apache named…the Apache…
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The Sinners All Bow by Kate Winkler Dawson
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Sinners All Bow: Truth is more tragic than fiction. Quick synopsis: The story of the death of Sarah Cornell in 1832, who did it, and the connection to The Scarlet Letter. Fact for Non-History People: Not only does this story include a connection to Nathaniel Hawthorne, but also the ancestors…
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The Sugar Barons by Matthew Parker
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Sugar Barons: Before the tea party was the sugar hell. Quick synopsis: The story of how a sugar empire was built in the Caribbean in the years after 1650. Fact for Non-History People: Processing sugar could kill you in many ways including by exploding stills. Fun Fact for History Nerds:…
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Little Pieces of Hope by Todd Doughty
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Little Pieces of Hope: Oh look, I’m smiling. Smiling is my favorite. Quick synopsis: A whole bunch of stuff to make you feel good about life. Fact for Non-History People: Ann Landers and Dear Abbey were twin sisters! Fact for History Nerds: The ruins of Pompeii were discovered in 1748. My…
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King John by Marc Morris
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline: Yup, he sucked as much as Robin Hood said he did. Maybe worse. Quick synopsis: A complete biography of King John of England. Fact for Non-History People: John rebelled against his father with his brother and then tried to steal power from his brother when he ascended. Fact for History Nerds: The…