Tag: European history
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Matisse at War by Christopher Gorham
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Matisse at War: A master caught in stasis. Quick synopsis: The story of the artist Henri Matisse during World War II. Fact for Non-History People: A bout of appendicitis in his 20s led to Matisse giving up a possible law career for art. Fact for History Nerds: His Odalisque couchée aux…
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Nemesis by Catherine Hanley
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Nemesis: Of course England’s greatest enemy is a Frenchman. Quick synopsis: The life of medieval French King Philip II aka Philip Augustus. Fact for Non-History People: During his reign, Philip doubled the size of the French royal domain. Fact for History Nerds: He was the first to order the streets of…
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Women of War by Suzanne Cope
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Women of War: If you are going to switch sides, go all the way. Quick synopsis: A look at four Italian women who joined the Resistance from German control in World War II. Fact for Non-History People: There were roughly 200,000 Italian partisans in World War II. Fact for History Nerds:…
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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 Sisterhood of Ravensbrück by Lynne Olson
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Sisterhood of Ravensbrück: Resistance doesn’t stop at the prison gate. Quick synopsis: The story of French Resistance women who banded together in the Ravensbrück concentration camp. Fact for Non-History People: Ravensbrück was the only concentration camp designed specifically for women. Fact for History Nerds: About 130,000 women were sent to…
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Embers of the Hands by Eleanor Barraclough
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Embers of the Hands: Vikings: They’re just like us! Quick synopsis: A look at the everyday lives of Vikings. Fact for Non-History People: Vikings were actually relatively clean people especially when it came to their hair. Fact for History Nerds: Most Viking boots were made of goatskin. My Take on…
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Sceptred Isle by Helen Carr
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Sceptred Isle: Just because they are your favorite doesn’t mean they are everyone else’s. Quick synopsis: A look at English royal upheaval in the 14th century. Fact for Non-History People: Richard II is credited with either inventing or popularizing the handkerchief. Fact for History Nerds: Right before the Black Death arrived,…
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A Greek Tragedy by Jeanne Carstensen
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for A Greek Tragedy: This was not a relaxing Mediterranean cruise. Quick synopsis: The story of the 2015 refugee shipwreck off the Greek island of Lesvos. Fact for Non-History People: There have been approximately 25,000 deaths and disappearances in the Mediterranean Sea since 2014. Fact for History Nerds: The UNHCR recorded 3,160…
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The Prosecutor by Jack Fairweather
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Prosecutor: Never let them forget. Quick synopsis: The story of Fritz Bauer who kept going after Nazis even after the Nuremberg trial. Fact for Non-History People: Instead of a trial at the end of World War II, Stalin just wanted to just execute the entire German General Staff of fifty…