Tag: American history
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The United States of Cryptids by J.W. Ocker
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The United States of Cryptids: You don’t need to believe to have fun. Quick synopsis: An encyclopedia of some U.S based cryptid stories. Fact for Non-History People: The term cryptid was first used in 1983. Fact for History Nerds: Cryptids are not monsters, but animals or creatures mentioned in folklore…
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Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil: A rare instance where I love the movie and the book. Quick synopsis: A story about the denizens of Savannah, Georgia and a famous murder in their midst. Fact for Non-History People: Savannah allows you to take your drinks in to-go cups…
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I’m Not a Monster (Max)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for I’m Not a Monster: Yes, she is. Quick synopsis: The story of the murders committed by Lois Riess, the “Killer Grandma.” Fact for Non-History People: There were 181 murders in Minnesota in 2023. Fact for History Nerds: Schizophrenia affects about .32% of the worldwide population. My Take on I’m Not a…
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Bandit Heaven by Tom Clavin
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Bandit Heaven: They went to heaven alright. Quick synopsis: Stories of various Wild West gangs and their hideouts in the 1880s and 1890s. Fact for Non-History People: The Sundance Kid’s real name was Harry Longabaugh. Fact for History Nerds: The word “cowboy” wasn’t a Wild West creation. It was first…
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What Stands in a Storm by Kim Cross
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for What Stands in a Storm: Got real dusty when I was reading this. Quick synopsis: The story of the three-day tornado superstorm outbreak in late April 2011. Fact for Non-History People: There was already a deadly tornado outbreak in April 2011 less than two weeks before the events of this…
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Jailbreak: Love on the Run (Netflix)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Jailbreak: Worst evasion plan ever. Quick synopsis: The story of how prison official Vicky White helped her lover Casey White break out of prison and run off together. Fact for Non-History People: In 2019, 2,231 inmates escaped from prisons in the U.S. Fact for History Nerds: The largest jailbreak in history…
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America First by H.W. Brands
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for America First: The pilot vs. the president. The pilot crashed hard. Quick synopsis: The story of when FDR and Charles Lindbergh battled publicly over isolationism before World War II. Fact for Non-History People: When FDR contracted the illness which would leave him unable to walk, he initially was paralyzed from…
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The Great Black Hope by Louis Moore
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Great Black Hope: I have never been more unqualified to do a review. Quick synopsis: The story of NFL quarterbacks Doug Williams, Vince Evans, and the controversy around Black quarterbacks. Fact for Non-History People: In 1968, 24 out of 32 cornerbacks were Black. However, the entire league was only…
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Targeted: Beirut by Jack Carr and James Scott
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Targeted: Beirut: Very dangerous fish stuck in a barrel. Quick synopsis: The story of the 1983 U.S. Marine Barracks bombing in Beirut. Fact for Non-History People: When the Marines first occupied the airport in Lebanon, they had to clear away 125 different types of unexploded ordinance from 19 different countries.…