Tag: war
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Battle of the Books on Rorke’s Drift
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline: Welcome to a badass last stand. Quick synopsis: The story of the battle of Rorke’s Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War. 150 British soldiers made a last stand against 4,000 Zulu warriors in defense of the field hospital located in Rorke’s Drift. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: When the thousands of Zulu…
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Presidents At War
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Presidents At War: George H.W. Bush was a badass this whole time and we didn’t know it. Quick synopsis: A look at all the U.S. Presidents who served in WWII. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: George H.W. Bush was the youngest naval fighter pilot ever. And he volunteered for it.…
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Marooned by Joseph Kelly
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Marooned: I would’ve stayed in Bermuda. Quick synopsis: The founding of Jamestown and the absolutely crazy set of circumstances and difficult people that made it last. Also, a lot of Joseph Kelly philosophy. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Stephen Hopkins was sentenced to death for mutiny in Bermuda. Years later…
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The Escape Artists by Neal Bascomb
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Escape Artists: It’s Hogan’s Heroes, only it’s set in WWI and it’s real. Quick synopsis: Story of various POWs in WWI German prisons and their attempts to break out. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: One of the escapees immediately sent a telegram after making it to neutral territory. It…
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Rampage by James M. Scott
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Rampage: You’ll cancel your hibachi reservation after reading this. Quick synopsis: Story of the battle of Manila in World War II. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Nothing “fun” about this subject matter. More people were killed in the Battle of Manila than in the Battle of Britain. Fun Fact for…
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The First Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer/Josh Mensch
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The First Conspiracy: George Washington, assassins, and overwrought prose. Quick synopsis: The story of the assassination conspiracy of George Washington right before the Battle of Long Island. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: New Yorkers in 1770 consumed an average of 6.7 gallons of rum year per person. That is the…
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Battle of the Books – The Great Halifax Explosion
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline: These books are explosive! I am so sorry, I’ll do better next time. Quick synopsis: The story of the great Halifax explosion during WWI. A munitions ship collides with another ship and caused a massive explosion. Then it caused a tsunami. Then there was a snowstorm. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like:…
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Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Washington: He didn’t just write Hamilton you know! Fun Fact for History Nerds: Washington was “land” rich but not often in the liquid sense. At times, he had to personally go to tenants on his land and collect. He was also obsessed with how his own land was cultivated and regularly…