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Stupid History: Tales of Stupidity, Strangeness, and Mythconceptions Throughout the Ages

by Leland Gregory

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6581735,613 (3.11)4
Why exactly is Paul Revere revered? Was the lightbulb really Thomas Edison's bright idea? * Best-selling author Leland Gregory employs his masterful wit to expose historical myths, faux "facts," strange events, and tales of human stupidity throughout history. If it would shock you to learn that Benjamin Franklin didn't discover electricity, you'll appreciate this take on hundreds of historical legends and debacles. Historians and humorists alike may be surprised to learn that: * Samuel Prescott made the famous horseback ride into Concord, not Paul Revere. * As a member of Parliament, Isaac Newton spoke only once. He asked for an open window. * On April 24, 1898, Spain declared war on the U.S., thus starting the Spanish-American War. The U.S. declared war the very next day, but not wanting to be outdone, had the date on the declaration changed from April 25 to April 21. With these and many other stories, leading humorist Leland Gregory once again highlights both the strange and the funny side of humankind. … (more)
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» See also 4 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 17 (next | show all)
Tales of Stupidity, Strangeness, and Mythconceptions throughout the Ages
  jhawn | Jul 31, 2017 |
A fast read, though best read in small doses. I'm curious as to where the author got his information. There were no footnotes, citations, or sources. Anyone could make this stuff up. For some of the entries he gives enough info where the event could be referenced, so I may check those out. But I'm not interested in his other works if they are as badly cited. ( )
  sailorfigment | Mar 3, 2016 |
Stupid History is a collection of little known, bizarre facts about history. The information is interesting and fun. My one dislike about the book is that no sources are provided. We have to take the author's word that he is presenting facts. If he had a source list so that the information could be easily corroborated the book would be more reliable. ( )
  torrey23 | Jan 20, 2016 |
A very fun and informative read. I found the titles and puns contained within each entry to be exceptionally funny. Whit and information.......what more could a person want from a history book? ( )
  ThothJ | Dec 4, 2015 |
A very fun and informative read. I found the titles and puns contained within each entry to be exceptionally funny. Whit and information.......what more could a person want from a history book? ( )
  ThothJ | Dec 4, 2015 |
Showing 1-5 of 17 (next | show all)
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Why exactly is Paul Revere revered? Was the lightbulb really Thomas Edison's bright idea? * Best-selling author Leland Gregory employs his masterful wit to expose historical myths, faux "facts," strange events, and tales of human stupidity throughout history. If it would shock you to learn that Benjamin Franklin didn't discover electricity, you'll appreciate this take on hundreds of historical legends and debacles. Historians and humorists alike may be surprised to learn that: * Samuel Prescott made the famous horseback ride into Concord, not Paul Revere. * As a member of Parliament, Isaac Newton spoke only once. He asked for an open window. * On April 24, 1898, Spain declared war on the U.S., thus starting the Spanish-American War. The U.S. declared war the very next day, but not wanting to be outdone, had the date on the declaration changed from April 25 to April 21. With these and many other stories, leading humorist Leland Gregory once again highlights both the strange and the funny side of humankind. 

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