That’s Not in My American History Book: A Compilation of Little Known Events and Forgotten Heroes
- ISBN13: 9781589791077
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- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Product Description
This book tackles the messy details, reclaims disregarded heroes, and sets the record straight. It also explains why July 4th isn’t really Independence Day.
Ayres writes about the 1930’s discovery of a plaque in California of seemingly probable origin that it was made by Sir Francis Drake in the 1500’s. Fine but Ayers goes on to say that Great Britain could claim California as theirs on the grounds of this discovery? Hello? It would take an awful lot more than even an authentic buried plaque by one royal-paid buccaneer-type in the 16th century for GB to be able claim California as theirs back in the 1930’s or even now.
Rating: 2 / 5
I just purchased this book less than an hour ago, but I’m already annoyed. If you are going to write a book about little known events and heroes, it would be helpful to, at the very minimum, correctly name the subjects of your book.
There is an entire section devoted to the State of Franklin, and it’s founder, John Sevier, who (we are told in this book) was nicknamed “Nolichunky Jack.” Uh, no. He was known as NoliCHUCKY Jack, after the NoliCHUCKY River. I mean, come on. Nolichunky?
I’m not even that interested in reading the rest of the book if an error that screamingly glaring is not caught by the author or publisher. It’s like writing a book about Richard Nixon and calling him “Tricky Rick” throughout. Or calling Lighthorse Harry Lee, “Lighthouse Harry Lee”.
Argh!
Rating: 2 / 5
This is a compilation of little-known or overlooked stories from American history, many of which are fascinating. I was intrigued to learn, for instance, that the Boston Tea Party took place because English tea was too cheap, not too expensive as I had always believed. It is fascinating too to learn about the forgotten Fourteenth State, the Communist Invasion of Texas, Bet Freeman’as Walk to Freedom, and many other fascinating episodes of which I knew nothing. His piece about Benjamin Franklin is a bit selective, he admires Franklin very much and therefore says nothing about Franklin’s disgraceful and barbaric treatment of his son, who, unlike his traitorous father, was loyal to the British crown. Some of the information is simply annoying. I do not wish to be told that Pocahontas did not save John Smith’s life, that Betsy Ross didn’t make the first American flag, and that Belle Starr was just a sad old drunk instead of a dashing outlaw. And |I don’tbelieve Pocahontas was murdered, that’s simply silly. In spite of these dubious passages, this is an intersting and enjoyable book.
Rating: 4 / 5
This compilation of little-known events and heroes gathers all the juicy stories edited out of history textbooks; from insights on why the 4th of July and Independence Day aren’t the same to White House scoundrels and scandals. Meant for leisure browsing and reading, That’s Not in My American History Book will involve many in little-publicized aspects of American history.
Rating: 5 / 5
Many of the facts Thomas presented in his book are interesting, but they are hard to get to because the author filled his book with wit instead of fact. I had to read several paragraphs into each topic just to try to figure out what the great fact was.
One of his amazing facts, honest to god, was that Charles Lindbergh wasn’t the first man to fly across the Atlantic. WHAT?!?!?!?! I had no idea. I don’t know why the author thinks we don’t know basic history. He talks for three pages about people who flew before him. I’ve never heard the term Lindberghs flight without the word solo attached. And he thinks Great Britain owns California because Drake sailed there and claimed it and plopped down a flag. Awesome, the U.S. owns the moon.
He also considers “America’s Shortest War” to be some cavalry riding into a town without a single man getting in any way wounded. I’m not expert author, but if that’s a war then so is any raid the police make on a crackhouse.
Basically all the facts are made annoying by the author’s need to pretend they’re some huge deal. He tells us the secret that Ben Franklin was an inventor, scientist, author, and famous in Europe. Who knew?!?
The book is a waste of money.
Rating: 1 / 5