Tag: American history
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The River of Doubt by Candice Millard
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The River of Doubt: I don’t recommend exploring uncharted tributaries of the Amazon. Quick synopsis: The story of when Teddy Roosevelt decided to take a vacation and explore a tributary of the Amazon. Didn’t go well. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Did you see the synopsis above? I am a…
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Saints & Strangers (TV Miniseries)
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Saints & Strangers: You mean they used real American Indians to play American Indians? Get out of town. Quick synopsis: The story of the Mayflower passage through the first Thanksgiving and the establishment of the Plymouth colony. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: You know Squanto, but you don’t know Hobbomock.…
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The First Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer/Josh Mensch
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The First Conspiracy: George Washington, assassins, and overwrought prose. Quick synopsis: The story of the assassination conspiracy of George Washington right before the Battle of Long Island. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: New Yorkers in 1770 consumed an average of 6.7 gallons of rum year per person. That is the…
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Museum Review: Mount Vernon
Museum Focus: George’s Washington’s home in Virginia. Where is it: 3200 Mount Vernon Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA 22121. What does it cost: About $20 per adult, $12 per kid. How long should I plan to stay: Mount Vernon is 500 acres. You could probably take 2 or 3 days to see everything. However, a good…
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The Cruelest Miles by Gay and Laney Salisbury
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Cruelest Miles: You won’t be able to argue the “man’s best friend” moniker after this book! Quick synopsis: Description of the 1935 Serum Run to Nome, Alaska which was the precursor to the Iditarod. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: One story about sled dogs entailed how a musher fell…
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Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Washington: He didn’t just write Hamilton you know! Fun Fact for History Nerds: Washington was “land” rich but not often in the liquid sense. At times, he had to personally go to tenants on his land and collect. He was also obsessed with how his own land was cultivated and regularly…