Tag: American history
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American Fire by Monica Hesse
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for American Fire: Bad sex life? Let’s burn down buildings. Quick synopsis: The story of an arsonist couple in rural Virginia. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The arson spree the couple committed ended in a tally of 70 fires. Fun Fact for History Nerds: There are about 17,000 residential arson fires…
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Labyrinth of Ice by Buddy Levy
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Labyrinth of Ice: Just don’t go to the Arctic. It’s a bad idea. Quick synopsis: The story of the Greely Polar Expedition in 1881. It went badly. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: You don’t get a cold in the Arctic. The lack of people and germs means you just won’t…
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The Axeman of New Orleans by Miriam Davis
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Axeman of New Orleans: I guess this guy didn’t like Italian food. Quick synopsis: A true crime story from the early 1900s. The Axeman murdered 6 people and assaulted 6 more while they slept in New Orleans from 1918 to 1919 (maybe as early as 1910). Fun Fact Non-History People…
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Uncover Season 1: Escaping NXIVM
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Escaping NXIVM: If I have to be branded to join a group, then I am not joining said group. Quick synopsis: A woman discusses her involvement with NXIVM, a now notorious cult known for branding women and making them sex slaves. Yes, it happened in the United States. Fun Fact Non-History…
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Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Alexander Hamilton: I’m reviewing the book, not the play, dorks. Come at me. Quick synopsis: A (very) in-depth biography of Alexander Hamilton. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Hamilton was not born in the United States (or the colonies, actually). He was born in Nevis in the Caribbean. Fun Fact for…
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The Promise of the Grand Canyon by John Ross
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Promise of the Grand Canyon: A lot of heartache just to explore a big hole. Quick synopsis: A partial biography of John Wesley Powell focused on his exploration of little-known parts of the Grand Canyon. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: John Wesley Powell took on a crazy exploration of…
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The Unexpected President by Scott Greenberg
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Unexpected President: May be the last time a politician pulled a sincere 180. Quick synopsis: The life of President Chester A. Arthur. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Arthur had fresh flowers placed at the portrait of his deceased wife every day he was president. He never remarried. Fun Fact…
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Floodpath by Jon Wilkman
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Floodpath: Came for the flood, got too much else. Quick synopsis: The story of the St. Francis Dam flood. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Mulholland Drive in L.A. is named after the designer and builder of the St. Francis Dam. He was alive when the flood happened and killed scores…
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The Gateway (Podcast)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Gateway: A woman named Teal Swan is a nutjob? Get out of town! Quick synopsis: A look at the cult-like following of Teal Swan, a new age YouTube life guru. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Why is she dangerous? For one thing, she teaches people to “visualize their suicide,”…