Tag: American history
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Deadwood by Peter Cozzens
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Deadwood: Yup, better than the show (and I love the show). Quick synopsis: The story of the rise and fall of Deadwood. Fact for Non-History People: Within 5 months of the first gold strike in Deadwood, more than 200 buildings had been put up. Fact for History Nerds: The fabled “Dead…
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The Last Adieu by Ryan Cole
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Last Adieu: It was one hell of an adieu. Quick synopsis: The story of when the Marquis Lafayette returned to America decades after the revolution. Fact for Non-History People: Lafayette was commissioned a major general at the age of 19. Fact for History Nerds: Lafayette drafted the influential Declaration of…
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When You Come at the King by Elie Honig
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for When You Come at the King: You best not miss. Quick synopsis: A look at the U.S. Special Counsel cases from Nixon to today. Fact for Non-History People: In the first 18 years after the adoption of the Special Counsel, there was only one. Fact for History Nerds: However, starting in…
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1999 by Ross Benes
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for 1999: Unhappy? Blame a 90s kid. Quick synopsis: A look at how the culture of 1999 reverberates today. Fact for Non-History People: Donald Trump is in the WWE Hall of Fame. Fact for History Nerds: In some markets, Jerry Springer was actually beating Oprah in the ratings. My Take on…
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The Great American Retro Road Trip by Rolando Pujol
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Great American Retro Road Trip: Too many of these things were during my lifetime. I feel so old. Quick synopsis: A look at all the best retro places and things around the United States. Fact for Non-History People: “Retro” is derived from the Latin word for “backward.” That checks. Fact…
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Freedom Ship by Marcus Rediker
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Freedom Ship: If you can’t run, sail. Quick synopsis: A look at the Underground Railroad but from a maritime perspective. Fact for Non-History People: If you broke the original Fugitive Slave Law, you might get a fine of around $15,000 in today’s dollars. Later, the penalties increased a lot. Fact for…
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The Undiscovered Country by Paul Andrew Hutton
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Undiscovered Country: “Undiscovered” really depends on your point of view. Quick synopsis: A look at American westward expansion through the lives of four famous faces. Fact for Non-History People: The American Census Bureau declared the western frontier “closed” in 1890. Fact for History Nerds: The U.S. military tried using camels…
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The Boys in the Light by Nina Willner
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Boys in the Light: No finer company. Quick synopsis: The story of the intersection between some American soldiers in World War II and the author’s father, a concentration camp survivor. Fact for Non-History People: Germany had over 1,000 concentration camps. Fact for History Nerds: Approximately 1.65 million people were kept…
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The Aviator and the Showman by Laurie Gwen Shapiro
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Aviator and the Showman: Her Atlantic flight was the least interesting thing about her. Quick synopsis: The lives of Amelia Earhart and her husband George Putnam. Fact for Non-History People: Earhart was also a fashion designer. Well, kinda. Fact for History Nerds: Amelia set the woman’s world altitude record of…