Category: Books/Museum Reviews

  • Leviathan by Eric Jay Dolin

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Leviathan: Poor whales. What did they ever do to us? Quick synopsis: The history of whaling in America. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Yeah, there’s three pages on whale penis in here. You’re welcome. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Right whales couldn’t swallow humans even if they wanted to because…

  • The Last Days of the Dinosaurs by Riley Black

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Last Days of the Dinosaurs: Poor dinos… Quick synopsis: A look at the time right before, and then way after, the stupid asteroid killed all the dinosaurs. The asteroid is a jerk. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The asteroid impact released the equivalent energy of 100 teratonnes of dynamite…

  • Who Killed Jane Stanford? by Richard White

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Who Killed Jane Stanford: Stanford was ridiculous when it was founded! Quick synopsis: The murder of Jane Stanford, one of the founders of Stanford University. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Stanford was founded due to the death of the Stanfords’ only child. Fun Fact for History Nerds: A line written…

  • Spare Parts by Paul Craddock

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Spare Parts: The “spare” part is very misleading. Generally, the owner still needed them. Quick synopsis: The history of transplants from the first skin grafts to the present day. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The first target of a transplant? The skin or specifically the nose. How? Oh, you just…

  • Benedict Arnold: Revolutionary Hero by James Kirby Martin

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline: He still sucks. Quick synopsis: A look at why Benedict Arnold became the traitor we still love to hate. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Arnold had two wives named Peggy. Not at the same time. That would be scandalous. Oh, wait… Fun Fact for History Nerds: Arnold is often thought of…

  • Born to Be Hanged by Keith Thomson

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Born to Be Hanged: The title is already really good. Quick synopsis: The story of one of the most audacious pirate raids ever on the Pacific Coast of the Americas in 1680. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The pirates immensely enjoyed a sour beer with their native hosts at one…

  • The Fairy Tellers by Nicholas Jubber

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Fairy Tellers: Fairy tales are way more messed up than you remember. Quick synopsis: A look at some of the famous original fairy tellers in history. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: There’s a fairy tale called Hans My Hedgehog. He rides a rooster and stabs a princess with his…

  • Pirate Queens by Rebecca Alexandra Simon

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Pirate Queens: Pirating is a very short career choice. Quick synopsis: The story of notorious female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Bonny and Read were only pirates for two months. Fun Fact for History Nerds: During the 17th and 18th centuries, half of all…

  • The Dark Queens by Shelley Puhak

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Dark Queens: Game of Thrones only real. Less dragons, obviously. Quick synopsis: The story of Queens Brunhild and Fredegund who were trying to kill each other for decades while ruling their kingdoms. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The Vikings wearing horned helmets? Not a thing. Someone made it up…