Tag: war

  • When We Ruled by Paula Akpan

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for When We Ruled: You didn’t learn about these names in history class. Quick synopsis: A look at twelve African Queens and Warriors. Fact for Non-History People: Emperor Mansa Musa of Mali was one of the richest people ever. He might have been the richest. Fact for History Nerds: There are still…

  • The Fate of the Day by Rick Atkinson

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Fate of the Day: You loved the original so don’t miss the sequel. Quick synopsis: The American Revolution from Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780. Fact for Non-History People: The Marquis de Lafayette’s full name was Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette. Fact for History Nerds: Georgia is the only state…

  • Nothing but Courage by James Donovan

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Nothing but Courage: One of the few reasons to jump out of a perfectly good plane. Quick synopsis: The 82nd Airborne’s mission on D-Day. Fact for Non-History People: The American airborne forces would comprise 13,000 paratroopers and 4,000 men delivered by gliders. Fact for History Nerds: Approximately 2,500 American paratroopers would…

  • 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,…

  • Phantom Fleet by Alexander Rose

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Phantom Fleet: The Taking of U-505. Quick synopsis: The Battle of the Atlantic and the attempt to steal a German U-boat. Fact for Non-History People: The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest campaign of World War II. Fact for History Nerds: 3,500 Allied merchant ships were sunk during the Battle…

  • The Sailing of the Intrepid by Montel Williams and David Fisher

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Sailing of the Intrepid: Old habits die hard. Quick synopsis: The story of how in 1944 the crew of the USS Intrepid used old school methods to make it home. Fact for Non-History People: Yes, that Montel Williams is the author. He is an Annapolis grad (Go Army!) and is…

  • Taking Midway by Martin Dugard

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Taking Midway: When reading the mail was so important. Quick synopsis: The story of Midway Island and the battle which turned the tide of World War II in the Pacific. Fact for Non-History People: The Japanese lost 3,000 personnel in comparison to the U.S.’s about 300. Fact for History Nerds: Midway…

  • The Rebel Romanov by Helen Rappaport

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Rebel Romanov: Even princesses deserve second acts. Quick synopsis: The life of Jule Saxe-Coburg and her flight from Russian court life. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Actual note from Grand Duke Alexander to his future wife included this tidbit that she reported that he was, “authorized by his parents…

  • The Next One Is For You by Ali Watkins

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Next One Is For You: First, you get the guns. Quick synopsis: The story of how a group of Philadelphia gunrunners supplied the IRA during the Troubles. Fact for Non-History People: In the six months following Bloody Sunday, NORAID sent over $300,000 in donations to Northern Ireland. Fact for History…