Tag: english history
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The Stolen Crown by Tracy Borman
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Stolen Crown: Wily Lizzie and slippery Jimmy. Quick synopsis: The story of the Elizabethan Succession and how it didn’t go the way we thought it did. Fact for Non-History People: In 1500, the English monarchy’s annual income was about 19 times that of Scotland. Fact for History Nerds: 60% of…
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The Plantagenets by Dan Jones
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Plantagenets: When in doubt, make them sign the Magna Carta again. Quick synopsis: The story of the House of Plantagenet in England (and some other places, kinda). Fact for Non-History People: “Plantagenet” does have to do with plants! It’s from Latin for broom flower. Whatever that is. Fact for History…
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Thomas More by Joanne Paul
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Thomas More: Little bit of saint, little bit of sinner. Quick synopsis: A look at the life of St. Thomas More. Fact for Non-History People: Thomas More is the patron saint of lawmakers and politicians. They need all the help then can get (zinger!). Fact for History Nerds: Utopia literally translates…
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The Peepshow by Kate Summerscale
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline The Peepshow: Worst liar ever. Except for that one time. Quick synopsis: The story of World War II era serial killer Reg Christie and the possible execution of an innocent man. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: There was at least two serial killers in London during the World War II era.…
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Tower by Nigel Jones
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Tower: Prisoners, jewels, and animals, oh my! Quick synopsis: The story of the Tower of London. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: It was actually a zoo for a while! Wait, sorry, not aristocratic enough. It was a menagerie. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Short list of big names kept in…
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The Eagle and the Hart by Helen Castor
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Eagle and the Hart: Richard II sucked. (The actual dude, not the play.) Quick synopsis: A look at what made Henry IV overthrow Richard II of England. Fact for Non-History People: The bill for the candle wax alone to celebrate the birth of Richard’s older brother was 400 pounds…
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Operation Biting by Max Hastings
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Operation Biting: Disclaimer: No actual biting occurs. Quick synopsis: The story of the British parachute assault to capture Nazi radar in 1942. Fact for Non-History People: British paratroopers did not have reserve shoots while U.S paratroopers did. Fact for History Nerds: General Eisenhower started World War II a colonel but…
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Henry V by Dan Jones
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Henry V: Shakespeare took a little dramatic license. Quick synopsis: A full biography of England’s greatest warrior king, Henry V. Fact for Non-History People: Henry V got shot in the face with an arrow as a teen and somehow didn’t die. Fact for History Nerds: Around the time of Henry’s…
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Once a King by Jane Tippett
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Once a King: Lots of drama with little accountability. Quick synopsis: A look at the unpublished memoir of Edward VIII of England. You know, the one who quit. Fact for Non-History People: Edward was paid $75,000 in 1947 to write 3 articles on his childhood. In today’s dollars, that’s… a lot.…