Tag: European history
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Stalin’s Apostles by Antonia Senior
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Stalin’s Apostles: Traitors be thy name. Quick synopsis: The story of the Soviet spies embedded in the U.K during World War II and the Cold War. Fact for Non-History People: One of the apostles, Kim Philby, was put in charge of the MI6 section which focused on finding…Soviet spies. Fact for…
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The Graces by Breeze Barrington
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Graces: It’s all fun and games until someone loses their head. Quick synopsis: A look at the lives of women at the English Restoration Court. Fact for Non-History People: After the Restoration, women were allowed to act in public theaters for the first time. Fact for History Nerds: Charles II…
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These Divided Isles by Philip Stephens
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for These Divided Isles: I know where I place the blame. Quick synopsis: The story of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and how the British government kept mucking it up. Fact for Non-History People: Approximately one million Irish died during the Great Famine. Fact for History Nerds: The population of Ireland has still not…
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Seven Sisters by Veronica Buckley
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Seven Sisters: Maria Theresa didn’t raise wallflowers. Quick synopsis: The story of the seven surviving daughters of Empress Maria Theresa. Fact for Non-History People: Maria Theresa had 16 children in total but only 10 survived to adulthood. Fact for History Nerds: Maria Theresa is the only woman to hold the title…
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The Blood Countess by Shelley Puhak
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Blood Countess: #FreeBáthory Quick synopsis: The true story of history’s most prolific female serial killer, Elizabeth Báthory. (Ahem, ALLEGEDLY.) Fact for Non-History People: 15% of U.S. serial killers are women. Fact for History Nerds: The most prolific female serial killer by confirmed victims is Jane Toppan with 31. My Take…
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The Invention of Charlotte Brontë by Graham Watson
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Invention of Charlotte Brontë: When truth is stranger than literature. Quick synopsis: The story of how Charlotte Brontë’s death grew her legend. Fact for Non-History People: It is estimated that Jane Eyre has sold over 2 million copies. Fact for History Nerds: Jane Eyre netted Charlotte £500 which was 25…
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One of Us by Åsne Seierstad
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for One of Us: Don’t read this if you have a “no crying” streak going. Quick synopsis: The story of the 2011 Norway bombing and massacre by Anders Behring Breivik. Fact for Non-History People: Breivik’s massacre is often cited as second to the Oklahoma City Bombing for most fatalities caused by one…
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Joan of Arc by Helen Castor
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Joan of Arc: A different kind of spiritual warrior. Quick synopsis: The story of St. Joan of Arc and her times. Fact for Non-History People: Joan of Arc never killed anyone. Yes, in battle or otherwise. Fact for History Nerds: Joan of Arc was killed by the English AND French. My…
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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…