Tag: American history
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Grant by William S. McFeely
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Grant: This book is one of the reasons to hate the 80s. Quick synopsis: A terrible biography of U.S. Grant. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: This terrible book won the Pulitzer Prize. It annoys me to no end. Fun Fact for History Nerds: This book is an example of an…
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Triangle by David Von Drehle
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Triangle: This is why we have fire safety requirements. Quick synopsis: The story of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. It is one of the worst industrial disasters in the history of the US and one of the main reasons for a lot of major reforms. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like:…
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The Movies That Made Us (Netflix)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Movies That Made Us: 12-year-old Brendan was so psyched for this! Quick synopsis: Mini-documentaries on some of your favorite movies…and Dirty Dancing (I kid, ladies). Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Home Alone was nearly cancelled when it almost completely finished. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Dan Aykroyd’s family is…
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A Most Wicked Conspiracy by Paul Starobin
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for A Most Wicked Conspiracy: I should have been a gold miner in the 1900s. Quick synopsis: The story of how a crooked politician tried to steal the gold right out from miners in Nome, Alaska around 1900. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Gold was literally just sitting around waiting to…
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The Imposter (Prime)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Imposter: This is impersonating a good true crime documentary. Quick synopsis: The disappearance of Nicholas Barclay and the imposter who tried to take his identity. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The imposter, Frederic Bourdin, has impersonated at least 3 actual missing teenagers. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Nicholas Barclay…
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Jungle of Stone by William Carlsen
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Jungle of Stone: I wouldn’t even do what they did in 1839 today. Forget that. Quick synopsis: Two guys went into the Jungle and discovered the Mayans were way more legit than anyone gave them credit for. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The archaeological site of Copan, in Honduras, was…
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More Than Miyagi (Amazon)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for More Than Miyagi: He was in a lot more than you remember! Quick synopsis: The life of actor and comedian Noriyuki “Pat” Morita. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Morita actually had a disease which was supposed to render him unable to walk, but an experimental surgery healed him. Fun Fact…
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Night Stalker (Netflix)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Night Stalker: How do you get 19 death sentences and then not get put to death? Oh, California. Quick synopsis: A documentary on Richard Ramirez, also known as the Night Stalker, who killed 13 people in California. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: A woman married Ramirez after he was convicted.…
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I Love You, Now Die (HBO Max)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for I Love You, Now Die: I’m already afraid of my daughter becoming a teenager one day and this documentary does not help at all. Quick synopsis: The suicide of Conrad Roy and whether or not his girlfriend, Michelle Carter, was culpable. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Teenagers are the worst.…