Tag: American history
-
Empire of Orgasm by Ellen Huet
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Empire of Orgasm: No comment so I don’t get banned. Quick synopsis: The story of the sex cult, OneTaste and its founder Nicole Daedone. Fact for Non-History People: OneTaste peaked with $10 million in revenue in 2017. At least, that’s what was reported. Fact for History Nerds: An annual membership with…
-
Nobody’s Girl by Virginia Giuffre
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Nobody’s Girl: More brutal than you expect. And I expected a lot. Quick synopsis: The memoir of Virginia Giuffre, who was one of Jeffrey Epstein’s most known victims. Fact for Non-History People: Epstein’s net worth at this death was $600 million. Barf. Fact for History Nerds: Giuffre’s abuse at the hands…
-
A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls by Adam Morgan
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls: These dangers are so quaint compared to today. Quick synopsis: The story of Margaret Anderson, a publisher who battled literary censorship in the early 1900s. Fact for Non-History People: The first book ban in the U.S. was Thomas Morton’s New English Canaan in…
-
The American Revolution by Geoffrey Ward and Ken Burns
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The American Revolution: Now with pictures! Quick synopsis: An intimate history of the American Revolution. Fact for Non-History People: George Washington’s record in the revolution was about 6 wins, 7 losses, and 4 draws. Fact for History Nerds: George Washington is a major reason the French and Indian War kicked off.…
-
Golden State by Michael Hiltzik
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Golden State: It wasn’t all golden. Quick synopsis: A history of California. Fact for Non-History People: California is the only state to have been ruled by three different countries: Spain, Mexico, and the U.S. Fact for History Nerds: The famous Hollywood Sign originally read “Hollywoodland” as a real estate advertisement. My…
-
Joan Crawford by Scott Eyman
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Joan Crawford: Drama, but just not how you were expecting. Quick synopsis: A biography of legendary actress Joan Crawford. Fact for Non-History People: Crawford’s real name was Lucille Fay LeSueur. Fact for History Nerds: Walt Disney allegedly used her look to create Snow White’s Evil Queen. My Take on Joan Crawford:…
-
Brothers of the Gun by Mark Lee Gardner
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Brothers of the Gun: This book is my huckleberry. Quick synopsis: The dual biography of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Fact for Non-History People: A map drawn by Wyatt Earp of the O.K. Corral gunfight sold for $115,000 in 2004. Fact for History Nerds: Doc was born with a cleft palate.…
-
Gemini by Jeffrey Kluger
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Gemini: Gemini not Gemini. Quick synopsis: The history of NASA’s Gemini Space Program. Fact for Non-History People: Never forget that the USSR sent a dog named Laika to space knowing they couldn’t bring her back. Never. Forget. Fact for History Nerds: When space shuttles re-enter the atmosphere, they face temperatures five…
-
Little Bosses Everywhere by Bridget Read
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Little Bosses Everywhere: Pyramid, meet scheme. Quick synopsis: The long history of multi-level marketing in America. Fact for Non-History People: Of the 6.7 million Americans in MLMs, 75% are women. Fact for History Nerds: Avon, one of the original direct sellers, made profits even during the Great Depression. My Take on…