Tag: American history
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The Swamp Fox by John Oller
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Swamp Fox: Leave my history alone, Mel Gibson. Quick synopsis: A biography of Francis Marion, American Revolutionary officer and guerilla warfare proponent. Fact for Non-History People: Francis Marion is (loosely) the inspiration for Mel Gibson’s character in The Patriot. Banastre Tarleton is the historical inspiration for the bad guy in…
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Ghosts of Panama by Mark Harmon and Leon Carroll Jr.
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Ghosts of Panama: Turns out you shouldn’t trust drug dealers. Quick synopsis: The story of the U.S. invasion of Panama. Fact for Non-History People: Manuel Noriega was into the occult and had a “witch” on staff. Fact for History Nerds: During the 1970s, 63% of the School of the Americas…
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Roosevelt to Roosevelt by Stan Haynes
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Roosevelt to Roosevelt: It’s like high school only political. Quick synopsis: A look at the nominating conventions between the time of Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt. Fact for Non-History People: Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt were fifth cousins. Fact for History Nerds: Multiple western states allowed women to vote well before 1920.…
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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…