Tag: u.s. president
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When Harry Met Pablo by Matthew Algeo
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for When Harry Met Pablo: Give’em Hell Harry meets the man with 23 names. Quick synopsis: The story of when former U.S. President Harry Truman met Pablo Picasso. Fact for Non-History People: Pablo Picasso’s full name contains 23 different names. Fact for History Nerds: Truman met his wife Bess when he…
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Combing Through the White House by Theodore Pappas
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Combing Through the White House: Talk about some hairy situations! (I’ll see myself out.) Quick synopsis: A book about presidential hair. Yes, you read that correctly. Fact for Non-History People: Lincoln was clean-shaven for a good portion of his life until a young girl wrote him a letter suggesting he grow…
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President Garfield by CW Goodyear
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for President Garfield: More than just an assassination. Quick synopsis: A full biography of President Garfield. Fact for Non-History People: By age 26, Garfield was married and a college president. Fact for History Nerds: Garfield never lost an election in his life. My Take on President Garfield: To be honest, I wondered…
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Ask Not by Maureen Callahan
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Ask Not: Ask not what this family did to women, ask why they got away with it. Quick synopsis: The story of all the women destroyed by the Kennedy family. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The firefighter who retrieved Mary Jo Kopechne’s body at Chappaquiddick estimated she stayed alive for…
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White House Wild Child by Shelley Fraser Mickle
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for White House Wild Child: Whoa, oh, sweet child o’Teddy. Quick synopsis: A look at the life of Teddy Roosevelt’s daughter (and renowned hellion) Alice Roosevelt. Fact for Non-History People: Teddy bears are named after Teddy Roosevelt because of his love of hunting. Fact for History Nerds: How “in demand” was Alice?…
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Gallop Towards the Sun by Peter Stark
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Gallop Towards the Sun: Be careful trusting a dude with three first names. Quick synopsis: The story of Tecumseh and William Henry Harrison as they battled both literally and figuratively. Fact for Non-History People: Presidential trivia! William Henry Harrison is the shortest serving president since he gave a long inauguration speech…
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The Unexpected President by Scott Greenberg
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Unexpected President: May be the last time a politician pulled a sincere 180. Quick synopsis: The life of President Chester A. Arthur. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Arthur had fresh flowers placed at the portrait of his deceased wife every day he was president. He never remarried. Fun Fact…
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The Big Burn by Timothy Egan
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Big Burn: Well I’m certainly going to be nice to Forest Rangers after reading this. Quick synopsis: The story of the “Big Burn,” the largest forest fire in American history and Teddy Roosevelt’s efforts to create and protect national forests. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: The Camp Fire of…
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Musing: I Hate Thomas Jefferson
What’s this musing about: Thomas Jefferson was a moody and terrible hypocrite. I hate Thomas Jefferson. Oh, you want to know why? I’d be happy to let you know. And now, I will employ one of my favorite things: a numbered list. His supporters talk about how madly he loved his wife. There is evidence…