Tag: American history
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The Unknowns by Patrick K. O’Donnell
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Unknowns: You have to give it to Americans. We may not do it better, but we always do it bigger. Quick synopsis: An overview of American involvement in World War I through the lens of the body bearers of the Unknown Soldier. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Germans were…
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The Greatest Beer Run Ever by Chick Donohue
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Greatest Beer Run Ever: I can’t improve on the title, so I won’t even try. Quick synopsis: Chick Donohue went to bring his friends beer….in Vietnam…during the Vietnam War. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Yes, the synopsis is true. All of it. Fun Fact for History Nerds: If you…
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Murder Among the Mormons (Netflix)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Murder Among the Mormons: If it seems too good to be true … Quick synopsis: A documentary about some major finds related to the Mormon Church which change what they know to be true. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Apparently you can test bombs in Utah, and no one will…
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Allen v. Farrow (HBO)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Allen v. Farrow: This is so gross. Quick synopsis: The story of Woody Allen and Mia Farrow’s relationship. Fun Fact Non-History People Should Know Will Like: Woody Allen hired people to follow the detectives investigating the child molestation charges against him. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Woody Allen films a movie…
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A Shot in the Moonlight by Ben Montgomery
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for A Shot in the Moonlight: It’s amazing how racism and stupidity always go together. Quick synopsis: The story of George Dinning, who survived being shot in the head to ultimately sue his mob. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Bennet H. Young, who helped Dinning sue the mob, once took part…
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Sea of Glory by Nathaniel Philbrick
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Sea of Glory: You’d think exploring around the world would get you remembered but apparently not. Quick synopsis: A narrative of the U.S Exploring Expedition of 1838 – 1842. Yeah, I hadn’t heard of it before either. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: This expedition explored 280 islands, mapped 800 miles…
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Mystery on the Isle of Shoals by J. Dennis Robinson
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Mystery on the Isle of Shoals: It’s actually not a mystery who did it, but people like conspiracies. Quick synopsis: The murder of Karen and Anethe Christensen on the isolated Smuttynose Island in 1873. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Smuttynose Island got its name from sailors who felt the seaweed…
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Maniac by Harold Schechter
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Maniac: Always pay attention to people buying a lot of explosives. Quick synopsis: The Bath School disaster in 1927. Andrew Kehoe bombed the local Michigan grade school out of revenge for perceived slights and holy hell he didn’t stop there. Fun Fact for Non-History People Will Like: This is still the…
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Grant by Ron Chernow
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Grant: When is Lin-Manuel Miranda going to make a musical out of this? Quick synopsis: A (very) in depth biography of Ulysses S. Grant. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The Battle of Shiloh had more casualties than the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War combined. Gettysburg…