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Stupid American History: Tales of Stupidity, Strangeness, and Mythconceptions
America is the home of the brave and, apparently, the stupid and gullible. Satirist Leland Gregory teaches us a lesson in historical hilarity with Stupid American History.
From Columbus to George W. Bush (that's a lot of material, people), Leland leads us through American history's mythconceptions, exposing idiocy and inanity along the time line. He reeducates by infor
...morePaperback, 272 pages
Published
April 21st 2009
by Andrews McMeel Publishing
(first published 2009)
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This seems like a compilation of historical factoids previously printed on the back of Leinenkugel beer coasters. Not that there’s necessarily anything wrong with that – I loves me some beer after all – and it’s a somewhat enjoyable read on my phone within the context of a crowded bus. It’s chock-full of interesting counter-logical stories, swipes at politicians old and more recently old, and goofy, cartoon figures of satirical genre that punctuate the book in apparently nonsensical order.
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This is a fast, easy, entertaining, informative, and fun read. It is well suited to education and those who really want to know the truth about history. Gregory gives the reader a different slant on our history and will dispel the history that was taught to us.
The best way for me to give you a feeling for the book is to show you a few of the items from the book.
"The first motto that appeared on U.S. coins was not "In God We Trust", it was "Mind Your ...more
The best way for me to give you a feeling for the book is to show you a few of the items from the book.
"The first motto that appeared on U.S. coins was not "In God We Trust", it was "Mind Your ...more
Gregory's previous book, Stupid History ws so much fun to nitpick that when I saw this one listed as free on KindleIQ I decided to pick it up. To his credit, Gregory's research has improved so there are far fewer falsehoods, and he even cites sources occasionally. However, the number of errors in the book remains attrocious.
* He claims the phrase "a more perfect union" is bad grammar since nothing can be better than perfect, ignoring the obvious interpretation of the phrase...more
* He claims the phrase "a more perfect union" is bad grammar since nothing can be better than perfect, ignoring the obvious interpretation of the phrase...more
There are lots of fascinating tidbits in this book. Some of these include:
On September 11, 2002, the first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the numbers that popped up for the New York Lottery were 9-1-1. What were the chances of those three numbers coming up on the anniversary of the attacks in the same city in which the attacks took place? Read the book to find out!
The First Real President: The first president to be born a citizen of the U.S. was number...more
On September 11, 2002, the first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the numbers that popped up for the New York Lottery were 9-1-1. What were the chances of those three numbers coming up on the anniversary of the attacks in the same city in which the attacks took place? Read the book to find out!
The First Real President: The first president to be born a citizen of the U.S. was number...more
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
I received this book through Library Thing's book reviews. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I approached this book as what it appeared to be: a book of assorted trivia that wasn't taking itself to seriously. This book is by no means a history book and is probably best used for trivial pursuit or just for tossing random facts into conversations, but that's ok. It succeeds at what it's supposed to be, a light entertaining read.
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I received this book through Library Thing's book reviews. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I approached this book as what it appeared to be: a book of assorted trivia that wasn't taking itself to seriously. This book is by no means a history book and is probably best used for trivial pursuit or just for tossing random facts into conversations, but that's ok. It succeeds at what it's supposed to be, a light entertaining read.
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I received a Kindle for Christmas, and I picked this book to be the first to read on it because it was a free e-book and and it was fairly short - the decision had more to do with testing out the Kindle than actually choosing this book to read. It was a quick read, as the book consists of a myriad of weird, trivia like facts regarding American history. The frustrating part about the book is that for some of its information, there are no footnotes, no citation to any sources, which I think is u...more
I read this on the Kindle. I think I got it for free or nearly free. While my Nook was down (long story), I needed something to read since all of my physical books were packed in boxes for the move.
The book is a series of one- and two-page stories about figures and incidents in American history. I found that a lot of stories tended to be about the same figures (Benedict Arnold gets mentioned quite a few times). Also, quite a few of them were not all that interesting—some even seeme...more
The book is a series of one- and two-page stories about figures and incidents in American history. I found that a lot of stories tended to be about the same figures (Benedict Arnold gets mentioned quite a few times). Also, quite a few of them were not all that interesting—some even seeme...more
I'm assuming Mr. Gregory has his facts straight about the myths and stupidity of America. This little book is full of trivia that you just never knew. Such as when JFK was assassinated, it wasn't a federal felony to kill a president. You have to wonder why?!?!
When the Titanic hit the iceberg the night of April 14th, most of the travelers were watching....The Poseiden Adventure...about a ship capsizing. Irony, no?
This book covers the beginning of America to fairly current ...more
When the Titanic hit the iceberg the night of April 14th, most of the travelers were watching....The Poseiden Adventure...about a ship capsizing. Irony, no?
This book covers the beginning of America to fairly current ...more
Pretty good so far but could have been better. Two times he asks a question and never provides an answer, like why Paul Revere is remembered for his midnight ride even though he was captured by the British and only rode 19 miles but not Israel Bissell, who actually rode 345 miles? (The answer is that the poem "The midnight ride of paul revere" was written by Longfellow whose family had a connection to Revere.) Also mentions how Wall Street in New York got it's name but declines to m...more
I really liked this book. The factoids in the book are really interesting, and usually very fascinating. Unfortunately, some of the facts in the book almost seem too fascinating to be true. If they are true, this is one of the coolest books I've ever read. Of course, with no source citations or author info page stating Gregory's credentials as a historian there's no way to be sure without researching all the book's claims on my own.
There are several blatant errors in this book, so you can't take everything it says as true. But, it's still an entertaining read. So, don't read this if you're looking for a book full of true historical humorous events, unless you're prepared to have to research any that catch your interest to see whether or not they are in fact true. But, if you're just looking for a bit of entertainment and humor, then go ahead and pick up this one.
Yes, this book was fun, entertaining, and illuminating. But is it true? That seems to be important when you are calling a book history (albeit stupid history). Zero footnotes. Zero citations. Zero info about the author. From where did this book come? Its origins are as murky as my daily e-mail and I can't even check out the stories on scopes.com.
An easy read, but very repetitive and contradictory. As a History major, I thought I would enjoy this book, but I found Gregory's attempts at cheekiness annoying. I would only suggest this book if you need something to read, but don't have the time or are in the right surroundings to devote your brain to a real book.
A lack of citations for these facts/correctional anecdotes make it problematic. Attempts to "correct" common misconceptions of American history only add to confusion without lack of citations and sources of either the origins of the myths or the "real" history. Easy to read in a one hour's sitting, or less.
From the description I thought there would be more interesting information in the book. It was a light easy read full of useless information to use at parties. However, you have to check the facts before using them, not all are true. There is not footnotes or information on where the "facts" are gathered.
This is the first book that I read after getting my Kindle for Christmas. I found it to be so funny and entertaining. I think everyone would enjoy reading it.
I love stories that are true and give a different perspective of history. History is very funny sometimes
I love stories that are true and give a different perspective of history. History is very funny sometimes
This book was definitely entertaining and interesting. Have it on my kindle, engaging to read and made me laugh. There are a lot of stories we take for fact in American history that are actually not, or at best, a total stretch of the truth. A good, light read.
The book is more like a magazine. Each page is it's own little history. However, I was entertained. It was interesting to learn strange trivia facts about the presidents and founding fathers (Abe Lincoln's railway tie story, the real Paul Revere).
Funny stuff but I would have enjoyed it more if it had been in chronological order. Jumping from the Revolutionary War to Nixon to Lincoln and back to the Revolution seemed forced and very haphazard.
I was expecting a little more interesting stuff. I knew quite of few of the things this author considered "stupid or strange", and what I didn't know wasn't very interesting.
Not bad and the tidbits of history at the beginning were rather funny. But towards the end, the author started to be repetitive. Recommended for history fans
Kindle freebie. This was a book full of "fun facts" that made for good reading when I had only 30 seconds of energy or so before bed. :) I already knew a lot of the information, and most of the rest were things that were fun to know but weren't necessary facts to the American story.
Overall, an interesting read, nothing serious, just fun and informative. The facts are not organized by timeline or anything, just a collection of random facts about American history. Good reading when on bus or public transportation. Not a history book though for sure!
I downloaded it for free for my Kindle but wouldn't pay money for it.
I downloaded it for free for my Kindle but wouldn't pay money for it.
Just a fun book--and my first on my Kindle! Really, though, for those of us that are history buffs (read: nerd) this book is enjoyable and quick.
Interesting trivia...which I've already forgotten. Was a good "read on my phone" book when I needed to kill a few minutes here or there.
I found this funny, outstanding and shocking at times. I will no doubt reread this at some point. it was free and a very worthy read!
A book about how common history tales are wrong without any sources listed. Great.
And without sources, how can we know Gregory is right?
And without sources, how can we know Gregory is right?
Short book; fun; but just OK.
I downloaded this on my Kindle for free. It was worth the price.
I downloaded this on my Kindle for free. It was worth the price.
This book was filled with very interesting facts about US history. For example, a woman in the 1800's ran for president even though she couldn't legally vote herself. Just a quick and interesting read. Highly recommend.
Really interesting read about things that are not they way we learned them. Very interesting.
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