Category: Books/Museum Reviews
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The Whiskey Bible by Noah Rothbaum
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Whiskey Bible: Booze be thy name. Quick synopsis: Everything you need to know about whiskey. Duh. Fact for Non-History People: Both whiskey and whisky are correct. Fact for History Nerds: The most expensive whiskey in the world is The Macallan Valerio Adami 1926, with one bottle selling for $2.7 million.…
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Madman by M. F. Gross
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Madman: Florida Man gonna Florida, man. Quick synopsis: The 1949 rampage of killer John Calvin Russell. Fact for Non-History People: John was actually known by a different name that I will not be using here, but when you read it, don’t use it in polite company. Fact for History Nerds: The…
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The Six Loves of James I by Gareth Russell
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Six Loves of James I: One of the loves is partying. Quick synopsis: A biography of King James VI and I of Scotland and England. Fact for Non-History People: James became King of Scotland at only 13 months old. Fact for History Nerds: James was the king when the Gunpowder…
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The American Revolution by Geoffrey Ward and Ken Burns
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The American Revolution: Now with pictures! Quick synopsis: An intimate history of the American Revolution. Fact for Non-History People: George Washington’s record in the revolution was about 6 wins, 7 losses, and 4 draws. Fact for History Nerds: George Washington is a major reason the French and Indian War kicked off.…
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The Breath of the Gods by Simon Winchester
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Breath of the Gods: The wind is kinda creepy when you think about it too long. Quick synopsis: The history of the wind. Yes, you read that correctly. Fact for Non-History People: Mount Washington, New Hampshire is one of the windiest places ever and until recently held the record for…
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Golden State by Michael Hiltzik
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Golden State: It wasn’t all golden. Quick synopsis: A history of California. Fact for Non-History People: California is the only state to have been ruled by three different countries: Spain, Mexico, and the U.S. Fact for History Nerds: The famous Hollywood Sign originally read “Hollywoodland” as a real estate advertisement. My…
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Joan Crawford by Scott Eyman
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Joan Crawford: Drama, but just not how you were expecting. Quick synopsis: A biography of legendary actress Joan Crawford. Fact for Non-History People: Crawford’s real name was Lucille Fay LeSueur. Fact for History Nerds: Walt Disney allegedly used her look to create Snow White’s Evil Queen. My Take on Joan Crawford:…
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Brothers of the Gun by Mark Lee Gardner
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Brothers of the Gun: This book is my huckleberry. Quick synopsis: The dual biography of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Fact for Non-History People: A map drawn by Wyatt Earp of the O.K. Corral gunfight sold for $115,000 in 2004. Fact for History Nerds: Doc was born with a cleft palate.…
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Gemini by Jeffrey Kluger
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Gemini: Gemini not Gemini. Quick synopsis: The history of NASA’s Gemini Space Program. Fact for Non-History People: Never forget that the USSR sent a dog named Laika to space knowing they couldn’t bring her back. Never. Forget. Fact for History Nerds: When space shuttles re-enter the atmosphere, they face temperatures five…