Tag: American history
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The Blues Brothers by Daniel de Visé
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Blues Brothers: They’re on a mission from God. Quick synopsis: The story of how Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi became the Blues Brothers. Fact for Non-History People: The movie Animal House is based on a real life Dartmouth fraternity. Fact for History Nerds: Dan Aykroyd was born with syndactyly.…
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Charlie Hustle by Keith O’Brien
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Charlie Hustle: Hard to get out but even harder to like. Quick synopsis: The biography of baseball’s hit king, Pete Rose. Fact for Non-History People: Cincinnati was home to the first professional baseball team, The Red Stockings, in 1869. Fact for History Nerds: About half of all American households watched…
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Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul (Netflix)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Big Vape: If you beat them, you can still join them. Quick synopsis: The story of the e-cigarette, Juul. Fact for Non-History People: Juul was valued at $38 billion at its height. Fact for History Nerds: By July 2022, Juul was valued at $450 million. My Take on Big Vape: I…
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On Great Fields by Ronald White
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for On Great Fields: More than just a sweet mustache. Quick synopsis: A look at the life of Civil War officer and hero of Gettysburg, Joshua Chamberlain. Fact for Non-History People: Chamberlain was named after the American ship captain who is famous for the saying, “Don’t give up the ship.” Fact for…
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Love Has Won (HBO)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Love Has Won: Severe mental illness has won. Quick synopsis: The story of the Mother God cult and there is no way to explain this cult succinctly. Fact for Non-History People: Colloidal silver is a dietary supplement that the FDA declared unsafe in 1999. Fact for History Nerds: If you take…
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Sheridan’s Secret Mission by Robert Cwiklik
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Sheridan’s Secret Mission: Wasn’t much of secret. Quick synopsis: The story of when U.S. Grant sent Philip Sheridan to report on the civil unrest and racism in the South. Fact for Non-History People: Black men encompassed 10% of the Union forces. Fact for History Nerds: Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard grew up…
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Lover Stalker Killer (Netflix)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Lover Stalker Killer: Thank God I’m not dating anymore. Quick synopsis: The story of a guy who tries to date and ends up with a stalker. Fact for Non-History People: 8% of women and 2% of men have been stalked in their lives. Fact for History Nerds: The average age of…
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Beverly Hills Spy by Ronald Drabkin
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Beverly Hills Spy: The climate is even great for spying! Quick synopsis: The story of Frederick Rutland who spied for the Japanese against America in World War II. Fact for Non-History People: Rutland was so poor that when he enlisted in the navy, he was only 5’2” and 85 pounds. Fact…
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Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin by Scott McGaugh
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin: There is no damn way you’d get me in one of those things. Quick synopsis: The story of the American glider pilots of World War II. Fact for Non-History People: The U.S. produced 14,612 gliders between 1941 and 1945. Fact for History Nerds: General William Westmoreland…