Category: Books/Museum Reviews

  • Charlie Chaplin vs. America by Scott Eyman

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Charlie Chaplin vs. America: The Tramp was given his walking papers. Quick synopsis: The story of when Charlie Chaplin got barred from returning to the U.S. after World War II. Fact for Non-History People: Chaplin learned sign language to better converse with an artist he hired for his studio. Fact for…

  • The Burning of the World by Scott Berg

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Burning of the World: Politics may have done more damage than the fire. Quick synopsis: The story of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Fact for Non-History People: In today’s dollars, we can estimate the fire caused about $5-7 billion dollars in damage. Fact for History Nerds: Chicago was only…

  • Screencrush’s Matt Singer joins the podcast to talk Siskel and Ebert!

    Let’s give it two thumbs up! Screencrush’s Editor in Chief Matt Singer joins the podcast to discuss his new book Opposable Thumbs: How Siskel and Ebert Changed Movies Forever. Need I say more? Come listen! Buy Opposable ThumbsCheck out Matt on ScreenCrush

  • Opposable Thumbs by Matt Singer

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Opposable Thumbs: Thumbs were never the same. Quick synopsis: The story of how Siskel and Ebert changed how we review movies. Fact for Non-History People: 1963’s Cleopatra cost about $31 million to make it. In today’s dollars, that would be $600 million or $200 million more than Avengers: Endgame. Fact for…

  • The Sisterhood by Liza Mundy

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Sisterhood: This has nothing to do with traveling pants. Quick synopsis: A look at the women of the CIA from inception to now. Fact for Non-History People: In the CIA in the 90s, women filled 40% of positions but only 10% of the highest-level jobs. Fact for History Nerds: The…

  • The Longest Minute by Matthew Davenport

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Longest Minute: Real estate prices aren’t the only reason not to move to San Fran. Quick synopsis: The story of the earthquake and fire which destroyed San Francisco in 1906. Fact for Non-History People: When it was all said and done, the earthquake and fire destroyed nearly 5 square miles.…

  • To Rescue the Constitution by Bret Baier

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for To Rescue the Constitution: Oh look, we’ve always argued with each other. Quick synopsis: A look at how the U.S. Constitution survived because of George Washington. Fact for Non-History People: George Washington had no middle name. Fact for History Nerds: The story of Washington and the cherry tree was made up…

  • Agincourt by Michael Livingston

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Agincourt: Shakespeare is full of –it. Quick synopsis: A new look at one of the most famous battles in history. Fact for Non-History People: Henry V was shot in the face with an arrow at an earlier battle when he was Prince of Wales. Clearly, he survived, but damn, it a…

  • In Light of All Darkness by Kim Cross

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for In Light of All Darkness: Always check the locks. Quick synopsis: The story of the kidnapping of Polly Klaas in 1993. Fact for Non-History People: Two of Polly’s friends were in the room when she was kidnapped. Fact for History Nerds: When children are kidnapped and murdered, 89% are killed within…