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The Mental Floss History of the United States: The (Almost) Complete and (Entirely) Entertaining Story of America
Smarter than a history teacher, funnier than the Founding Fathers, and more American than Alaska, an almost (but not entirely) comprehensive primer on American history (or at least, the good stuff)
In trademark smart aleck style, this is history according to mental_floss, an insightfully accurate and incisively humorous exploration of little-known truths and widely believed...more
In trademark smart aleck style, this is history according to mental_floss, an insightfully accurate and incisively humorous exploration of little-known truths and widely believed...more
ebook, 432 pages
Published
October 5th 2010
by HarperCollins e-books
(first published September 23rd 2010)
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The Good Stuff
* American historical information written in an easy to read and understand format
* Funny as Hell, but also sensitively written at times
* You can see they have a love for their country, but at the same time admitting its faults and some of its less than stellar historical moments
* Wonderful explanation about "indentured service"
* The titles of the paragraphs are hilarious and often bang on!
* Really enjoyed the paragraph on the War of 1812, but would have liked more informatio...more
* American historical information written in an easy to read and understand format
* Funny as Hell, but also sensitively written at times
* You can see they have a love for their country, but at the same time admitting its faults and some of its less than stellar historical moments
* Wonderful explanation about "indentured service"
* The titles of the paragraphs are hilarious and often bang on!
* Really enjoyed the paragraph on the War of 1812, but would have liked more informatio...more
This definitely falls into the realm of a book I might pick up and glance at on my own but wouldn't likely have bought if not presented with the opportunity to read it for Harper. I enjoyed it, though I think it may be better as a "pick-up and read a few pages" book than one read straight through.
Mental Floss is a magazine that presents factual information in a humorous tone (how is that for a totally non-humorous description). I knew the name in passing but hadn't read anything in their retinue...more
Mental Floss is a magazine that presents factual information in a humorous tone (how is that for a totally non-humorous description). I knew the name in passing but hadn't read anything in their retinue...more
I would have loved history even more than I already do (confessed history nerd speaking here, admittedly) if we had had textbooks that read like this when I was in school. Presented in irreverent, humorous bite-size sections under headings such as "Where My Gods At?" & "We've Got Issues" put together in chronological chapters that cover prehistory (very briefly) through the year of publication, 2010.
The bite-sized format makes the book good for reading either all in one go, or piecemeal as t...more
The bite-sized format makes the book good for reading either all in one go, or piecemeal as t...more
I absolutely loved "The Mental Floss History of the United States: The (Almost) Complete and (Entirely) Entertaining Story of America. In just under 400 pages, Erik Sass and Mental Floss pack more facts and debunk more myths than all of my history classes in middle school and high school combined. If history was presented in a format like this with fun, engaging prose, and tidbits of trivia that people would actually use as ice breakers in conversations (It IS true! Jay Z was a crack dealer! I r...more
This really should be required reading for anyone living in the U.S.
Granted, the author(s) give you a definite answer on a lot of ambiguous/subjective questions in American history, so this shouldn't be one's only source. But each of those definite answers is presented with consideration of the major players' points-of-view, as well as rather convincing documented facts. The explanations were entertaining and logically explained, leaving me thinking on several occasions: "why didn't they say it...more
Granted, the author(s) give you a definite answer on a lot of ambiguous/subjective questions in American history, so this shouldn't be one's only source. But each of those definite answers is presented with consideration of the major players' points-of-view, as well as rather convincing documented facts. The explanations were entertaining and logically explained, leaving me thinking on several occasions: "why didn't they say it...more
Mental Floss makes it a point to be informative, but fun. This book is no different. It takes some of the bleaker parts of US History and makes them interesting and presents both sides of the argument. Some of the most well-known "facts" in our history have been researched and debunked; some of the reasons have been spelled out for exactly why we did what we did. Also nice is that there is a mini-biography of every US President with a fun fact about each at the end of the book. (They estimate th...more
Apr 28, 2013
Eddy Allen
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
arts-and-historical
Smarter than a history teacher, funnier than the Founding Fathers, and more American than Alaska, an almost (but not entirely) comprehensive primer on American history (or at least, the good stuff)
In trademark smart aleck style, this is history according to mental_floss, an insightfully accurate and incisively humorous exploration of little-known truths and widely believed falsehoods, which simultaneously exposes some of America's oddest moments, strangest citizens, most egregious frauds, and mu...more
In trademark smart aleck style, this is history according to mental_floss, an insightfully accurate and incisively humorous exploration of little-known truths and widely believed falsehoods, which simultaneously exposes some of America's oddest moments, strangest citizens, most egregious frauds, and mu...more
I've always felt that history should be taught with humor and simplicity, sprinkling dates once in a while only when its absolutely necessary; this way, many won't succumb to the drowsiness that hits every couple of pages when reading said genre. Out of these three aspects (Humor, Simplicity, and Facts), "The Mental Floss..." succeeds on delivering the latter two, and about half of the first.
Regarding its comedic aspect, this book sure contains its fair number of jokes, but most of them will ma...more
Regarding its comedic aspect, this book sure contains its fair number of jokes, but most of them will ma...more
Unlike a lot of history books, this one isn't afraid to add a little humor to its wealth of facts and information. It gives a great amount of detail on each topic, without being too overwhelming or dry. I read this to help study for my citizenship exam and because I want to audition for Jeopardy next year - it was excellent help for both. The appendix includes a full list of US Presidents and their major achievements, plus some interesting trivia about each. Exactly what I was looking for!
Great American history book--irreverent but not dismissive or partisan. Being humorous and ironic and still respecting facts and competing opinions is difficult, but they seem to do it here. No one gets over-admired--not Lincoln, FDR, Clinton, Reagan, or Rutherford B. Hayes. Nor the United States as a whole, certainly. Nor does anyone get unfairly trashed, really--not any of the above, nor Richard Nixon, nor even Phyllis Schlafly. But they still call a bad idea a bad idea, and they say more abou...more
Pros: Super readable, fun breezy tone, comprehensive. Cons: Some oversights (e.g. gay liberation - limited to a discussion of how the anti-AIDS movement liberated GLBTs; hello Stonewall? lesbian feminists?) and a poor index (e.g. "feminism" only points to a couple of pages about anti-feminists like Phyllis Schafley, ugh). But still, if you generally find American history books too heavy and tedious, and so never read it at all, pick this one up. Better this than nothing at all.
So far, it's great! It is perfect for someone like me, who has a great interest in history, but is not really in the mood to delve into an academic book. It has very funny moments, but at the same time, offers up more facts that funnies-which I appreciate.This is NOT like John Stewert's America at all, in that is really meant to be a teaching tool and is not strickly about the yucks.
This is the perfect history book for someone who wants the 25,000 foot view of notable events in the history of the U.S. The author does delve more deeply into a few subjects, though the topics aren't necessarily the ones I would have chosen as needing particular attention. Overall though, it's a worthwhile read for people who may not have paid as much attention in history class as they should have.
For all who think they know everything about American history, or just people who would like to know more about American history than what they teach in schools, I would highly recommend reading this book. You might be surprised at some of the things you may not have heard about that have actually happened in this country.
This has probably been one of the most entertaining, interesting books I have ever read. This was kind of the book I've been reading on and off for a while between school and stuff, so I finally finished it, probably knowing more now before I started. A complete, detailed, and entertainingly funny history of the United States, people who love history but hate reading those boring books that blandly give facts, this is definitely for you. I recommend it. I'm sure there's much more to say, but the...more
Mar 15, 2012
Douglas Koehne
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
history-american,
humor
I've really enjoyed reading the two Mental Floss books based on history. A very nice summation of both major and minor (but interesting) events throughout the past two centuries. Although not as funny as the book on world history, there are still many really interesting facts and tidbits you learn as you move through the chapters. An easy, fast read you can digest in 15 minute reading sessions or for a couple of hours at a time - very well worth the effort.
I believe this is the first 3-star book I also rated as 'solid-read'.
Why? Well, for a reader who is completely clueless about history and culture of the USA, this book will do no good. The rest will be amused by its puns, disclosing of less known, spicy details, anti-textbook angle, hypocrisy past and modern, unwise and plain devious decision of rulers, development of certain trends and movements, etc. In a word - it is fun to read. This book has no aspirations of being a serious and well-balanc...more
Why? Well, for a reader who is completely clueless about history and culture of the USA, this book will do no good. The rest will be amused by its puns, disclosing of less known, spicy details, anti-textbook angle, hypocrisy past and modern, unwise and plain devious decision of rulers, development of certain trends and movements, etc. In a word - it is fun to read. This book has no aspirations of being a serious and well-balanc...more
A brief history of the United States, that served as a good review of things everyone should know, American or not. It also contains many interesting facts that I didn't already know.
Non-fiction and I don't always see eye to eye. In fact, it usually makes me fall asleep, then it takes months to finish a book and I usually quit before I reach the end.
I like the magazine and their website, the book was as good as I expected with fun facts and myth-busters thrown in. A fun read for even those who are averse to history.
May 20, 2012
Bill Holmes
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
history,
u-s-history
Light but surprisingly informative, this is a good book to pick up as a palate cleanser between forays into weightier history tomes.
Random facts. Most of which I did not know. Did you know that Jimmy Carter was the first president to be born in a hospital? WTF.
Entertaining and irreverant. Learned a few things, caught an error or two (Bretton Woods is in NH, NOT VA for example.)
Every High school student/College freshman should have to read this book. It gives history of the US through 2010 and it makes it funny and readable.
This book was very informative and funny. It's perfect for people who have trouble caring about history. It is not a comprehensive history of the United States, but it filters out all the small boring stuff and focuses on the big interesting ones.
History presented in a breezy, entertaining fashion. A quick read, short chapters/sections.
Was entirely TOO entertaining. Major detraction was that there were no sources cited. NONE.
Slightly liberal bent to US History, and doesn't cover everything, but still an entertaining review of the most important parts of our history. It was quite engaging, just like the magazine, which I'd recommend to anyone.
Plenty of good info, but the "entertaining" part was definitely a misnomer.
Very amusing and thorough 400 page history of USA. As is common with this type of book, has sometimes tries to pass off the opinions of the writers as historical fact, but this is a minor citicism. Also has a nifty 12 page summary of the presidents at the end.
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Mental Floss (also credited as mental_floss) is a trivia and humor magazine.
mental_floss is a bi-monthly American magazine, launched in 2001 in Birmingham, Alabama, that presents facts and trivia in a humorous way. MentalFloss.com is also host to a popular blog, which contains additional trivia, features, and interesting news articles.
More about Mental Floss...
mental_floss is a bi-monthly American magazine, launched in 2001 in Birmingham, Alabama, that presents facts and trivia in a humorous way. MentalFloss.com is also host to a popular blog, which contains additional trivia, features, and interesting news articles.
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