Tag: European history

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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:…