Tag: European history
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Empress of the Nile by Lynne Olson
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Empress of the Nile: It is way easier to acquire an ancient temple than I thought. Quick synopsis: The story of Christiane Desroches-Noblecourt, a trailblazing archaeologist and preserver of Egyptian treasures. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: More than 1.25 million people went to the Louvre to see King Tut’s treasures.…
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Dunkirchen 1940 by Robert Kershaw
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Dunkirchen 1940: Let’s see how the Germans messed this up. Quick synopsis: A look at the events leading up to the Battle of Dunkirk from the German point of view. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Never forget that Germany was still using horse drawn artillery at the beginning of World…
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The Greatest Knight by Thomas Asbridge
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline: Oh look, an actual knight. Quick synopsis: A complete biography of William Marshal of England. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: William Marshal served five separate kings: Henry II, the “Young King” Henry, Richard I the Lionheart, John (yes, THAT King John), and Henry III. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Marshal…
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Island on Fire by Alexandra Witze and Jeff Kanipe
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Island on Fire: Who would have thought little Iceland could cause so much trouble? Quick synopsis: The story of Laki, the volcano in Iceland which erupted in the 18th century and messed a lot of stuff up. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: When Krakatau erupted in 1883, it sent out…
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Woman, Captain, Rebel by Margaret Willson
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Woman, Captain, Rebel: I would not recommend living in Iceland in the 1800s. Quick synopsis: The life of Captain Thurídur, Iceland’s most famous female sea captain, in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: In 1783, a massive volcanic eruption decimated Iceland which would ultimately kill…
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Hanged in Medicine Hat by Nathan Greenfield
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Hanged in Medicine Hat: Life is so much more civilized without Nazis. Quick synopsis: The story of executions at a German POW camp in Canada. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Yes, there is a town in Canada called Medicine Hat. Fun Fact for History Nerds: Yes, there were German POW…
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White Knights in the Black Orchestra by Tom Dunkel
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for White Knights in the Black Orchestra: Yeah, the title is already awesome. I got nothing. Quick synopsis: The story of various Germans who tried to destroy the Nazis from within in World War II. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Henry Ford was a huge anti-Semite. Hitler was a huge admirer…
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Wise Gals by Nathalia Holt
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Wise Gals: Women spies want the same pay? Who would have thought. Quick synopsis: The story of the first women in the CIA. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: In Egypt, American money helped build a massive concrete spire to broadcast a radio station. Its nickname was, “Roosevelt’s erection.” Fun Fact…
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Prisoners of the Castle by Ben Macintyre
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Prisoners of the Castle: Life is so much more civilized without Nazis. Quick synopsis: The story of Colditz Castle and the prisoners and guards placed there in World War II. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: “Augustus the Strong” lived in Colditz where he played “fox-tossing” (yes, it’s what you think…