Tag: American Revolution
-
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.…
-
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…
-
The Fate of the Day by Rick Atkinson
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Fate of the Day: You loved the original so don’t miss the sequel. Quick synopsis: The American Revolution from Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780. Fact for Non-History People: The Marquis de Lafayette’s full name was Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette. Fact for History Nerds: Georgia is the only state…
-
The Swamp Fox by John Oller
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Swamp Fox: Leave my history alone, Mel Gibson. Quick synopsis: A biography of Francis Marion, American Revolutionary officer and guerilla warfare proponent. Fact for Non-History People: Francis Marion is (loosely) the inspiration for Mel Gibson’s character in The Patriot. Banastre Tarleton is the historical inspiration for the bad guy in…
-
Marquis de Lafayette Returns by Elizabeth Reese
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Marquis de Lafayette Returns: That’s my boy right there! Quick synopsis: The story of the Marquis de Lafayette’s return to the U.S. years after the revolution. Fact for Non-History People: Lafayette spent about $250,000 of his own money during the revolution ($5 million today). Fact for History Nerds: The throat infection…
-
God Save Benedict Arnold by Jack Kelly
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for God Save Benedict Arnold: Arnold sucks, but the book is good! Quick synopsis: A look at Benedict Arnold through the lens of his battlefield prowess. Fact for Non-History People: Arnold had two wives named Peggy. The similarities ended there, though. Fact for History Nerds: Arnold would have been paid 20,000 pounds…
-
Founding Partisans by H.W. Brands
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Founding Partisans: Always Team Hamilton. Quick synopsis: A look at just how much partisan politics affected the early U.S. Fact for Non-History People: Hamilton crammed his legal studies into 6 months and then passed the NY bar. Fact for History Nerds: In the first election without Washington, Adams beat Jefferson by…
-
To Rescue the Constitution by Bret Baier
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for To Rescue the Constitution: Oh look, we’ve always argued with each other. Quick synopsis: A look at how the U.S. Constitution survived because of George Washington. Fact for Non-History People: George Washington had no middle name. Fact for History Nerds: The story of Washington and the cherry tree was made up…
-
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness by Peter Moore
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: Not everyone loved Benjamin Franklin. Quick synopsis: The story of how the phrase, “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” came to be in American culture. Fact for Non-History People: 12 of the original colonies voted yes on the Declaration of Independence on July…