Tag: American history

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…