Tag: African history
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Savior Complex (HBO)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Savior Complex: When good intentions go bad. Quick synopsis: The story of an American missionary in Uganda who basically starts her own hospital with no medical training. Fact for Non-History People: Missionaries first came to Uganda in 1877. Fact for History Nerds: About 4/5ths of Ugandans identify as Christian. My Take…
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The Lionkeeper of Algiers by Des Ekin
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Lionkeeper of Algiers: At least you could own a bar. Quick synopsis: The story of James Leander Cathcart, who was kidnapped at sea and held for ransom in Algiers. Fun Fact for Non-History People: Cathcart was only 8 years old when we became a seaman. Fun Fact for History Nerds:…
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Africatown by Nick Tabor
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Africatown: Apparently, slavery wasn’t bad enough, so the discrimination just kept going. Quick synopsis: The story of the last slave ship to land in America and the fate of the people when slavery ended. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: In 1850, cotton consumption worldwide was 1.5 billion pounds. By 1859,…
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River of the Gods by Candice Millard
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for River of the Gods: Who knew adventurers could be so catty? Quick synopsis: The story of the men who tried to find the source of the Nile River. Well, the first Europeans anyway. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: When you wear a cardigan, you can thank the man it was…
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The Black Joke by A. E. Rooks
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Black Joke: If you can’t beat them, steal their ship and then beat them. Quick synopsis: A story of a slave ship turned freedom ship off the coast of Africa in the 1800s. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: A quarter of all the freed enslaved people were courtesy of…
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Operation Thunderbolt by Saul David
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Operation Thunderbolt: Idi Amin was a real whackjob. Quick synopsis: The story of Operation Thunderbolt, an Israeli action to save hostages on a hijacked plane. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The flight crew was given the option to be released with non-Jewish passengers but refused. Fun Fact for History Nerds:…
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Diamonds, Gold, and War by Martin Meredith
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Diamonds, Gold, and War: Boer, what’s it good for? Quick synopsis: The story of how South Africa went from a backwater British colony to one of the most sought-after prizes on earth. (Spoiler alert: It’s in the title, obviously.) Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The Boer Wars have nothing to…
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The Book Was Better: King Leopold’s Ghost
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for King Leopold’s Ghost: You’ll never look at rubber the same way again. Quick synopsis: The story of King Leopold II of Belgium and how he took over. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Leopold II of Belgium is responsible for the death of about 10 million Africans. Some people today still…
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The Road to Jonestown by Jeff Guinn
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Road to Jonestown: Drink this Kool-Aid! The book I mean. Quick synopsis: The story of Jim Jones from his childhood to Jonestown and the mass suicide of over 900 people. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: “Don’t drink the Kool-Aid,” as a saying is because of this story. 900 people…