Tag: American history
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American Midnight by Adam Hochschild
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for American Midnight: All was not fine on the home front. Quick synopsis: A look at the American home front around the time of World War I. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: On June 5, 1917, all eligible men were required to register for the draft. Although there were concerns on…
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Nothing but the Night by Greg King/Penny Wilson
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Nothing but the Night: Who’s more innocent? Well, they both suck. Quick synopsis: The story of the murder of Bobby Franks by Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb in Chicago. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Grandpa Walton from The Waltons on TV knew Richard Loeb and thought he was a smart…
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Wise Gals by Nathalia Holt
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Wise Gals: Women spies want the same pay? Who would have thought. Quick synopsis: The story of the first women in the CIA. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: In Egypt, American money helped build a massive concrete spire to broadcast a radio station. Its nickname was, “Roosevelt’s erection.” Fun Fact…
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Black Snow by James M. Scott
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Black Snow: It wasn’t just two atomic bombs that were dropped. Quick synopsis: The story of how the U.S. bombing strategy evolved right before the dropping of the atomic bombs on Japan. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: More American airmen died in the skies over Europe than the Marine Corps…
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American Demon by Daniel Stashower
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for American Demon: Eliot Ness should have stayed in Chicago. Quick synopsis: The story of Eliot Ness and the Cleveland Torso Murderer. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Allow me to share this actual slogan for a Cleveland amusement park: “Nothing to depress or demoralize.” Sounds like fun to me! Fun…
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Retail Gangster by Gary Weiss
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Retail Gangster: Yeah, the title is already awesome. I got nothing. Quick synopsis: The story of “Crazy Eddie” Antar, an electronic store czar who was just a huge crook. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Craze Eddie actually created a med school. Yes, really. It was the University of St. Lucia…
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The Martyr and the Traitor by Virginia Anderson
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Martyr and the Traitor: The ending will leave you hanging. I am so sorry. I’ll do better. Quick synopsis: The stories of Nathan Hale (you know him, probably) and Moses Dunbar (you do not) who were both tried and executed for treason. It just turns out one was executed by…
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The Most Hated Man on the Internet (Netflix)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Most Hated Man on the Internet: Yeah, I’d hate him, too. Quick synopsis: The story of Hunter Moore, who ran a revenge porn site. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Hunter Moore called himself a “professional life ruiner.” Edgy, bro. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Hunter got away with posting…
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The Most Famous Man in America by Debby Applegate
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Most Famous Man in America: Stanford was ridiculous when it was founded! Quick synopsis: The biography of famous preacher, Henry Ward Beecher. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Does the name sound vaguely familiar? You probably know his sister, Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Fun Fact for…