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Hidden History of Kansas
Kansas' storied past is filled with fascinating firsts, humorous coincidences and intriguing characters. A man who had survived a murderous proslavery massacre in 1858 hanged his would-be executioner five years later. A wealthy Frenchman utilized his utopian ideals to create an award-winning silk-producing commune in Franklin County. A young boy's amputated arm led to the rise of Sprint Corporation. The first victim of the doomed Donner Party met her end in Kansas. In 1947, a housewife in Johnson County, indignant at the poor condition of the local school for black children, sparked school desegregation nationwide. Author and historian Adrian Zink digs deep into the Sunflower State's history to reveal these hidden and overlooked stories.
192 pages, Paperback
Published November 6, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 3, 2018
I received this book as a Christmas present and as a Kansan was excited to get into it. Is a quick read at around 200 pages and full of interesting stories from Kansas history. At first I wasn't sure how "hidden" some of it was, such as Knute Rockne's plane crash (well-known) but what I didn't realize was the detail behind some of the big stories like that - such as his multiple connections to Kansas and how the crash revolutionized aviation safety. Zink made an extra effort to dig up extra facts from the archives that the normal histories of some of these major events leave out.
Each story is roughly 2-5 pages long and my favorites were the ones about the founding of Denver, the Blizzard of 1886, the town named after a World Series-winning baseball player and the housewife that desegregated the schools in Johnson County. You can easily read this book across a few nights without exhausting yourself, each story is quick and fun. I'm usually a fan of deeper history, but this has its appeal to a wider audience that wants to take a quick romp around the past.
Each story is roughly 2-5 pages long and my favorites were the ones about the founding of Denver, the Blizzard of 1886, the town named after a World Series-winning baseball player and the housewife that desegregated the schools in Johnson County. You can easily read this book across a few nights without exhausting yourself, each story is quick and fun. I'm usually a fan of deeper history, but this has its appeal to a wider audience that wants to take a quick romp around the past.
January 5, 2018
Le the start off by saying that I really enjoyed this book. I'm from Kansas, and knew about some of the hidden history, but so much of it was new to me. The stories were interesting and short enough for time to fly by as I read the entire book in a single sitting. (Where did those 2 hours get to?)
December 5, 2018
I saw Adrian speak recently at the Kansas Book Festival and enjoyed the stories he told, so I bought a copy of the book. It has many short little stories of stuff from Kansas history that I didn't even know about such as Bonnie & Clyde, the Ice Age and (my favorite) the Wild West. Each story can be read in 5-10 minutes, so it kept me entertained and I read it in 3 nights. Looking forward to his future work!
January 4, 2019
A fun little book filled with all kinds of stories that i never heard from any history book.....and I've lived in Kansas for 65 years! My favorite was the one about the nation's first female mayor. My sister got this for me when Mr. Zink spoke at her charity auction. Hope he writes more!
April 17, 2019
What a fascinating romp around Kansas history. I read this book on two plane flights and am rereading it again now. I especially liked the story of the Cosmosphere, a treasure that Kansas is really lucky to have. I had no clue how it ended up in Hutchinson of all places. The Custer stories were great too, as I've been a fan of Custer House up at Fort Riley and have visited many times. The author did a great job of taking things somewhat familiar and digging deeper and sussing out some details that I've never even heard of.
July 27, 2019
A very enjoyable book full of quirky tales that I've never even heard of! (and I'm a high school teacher). The author breezes along from tale to tale without bogging you down in too many details, so Mr. Zink keeps the stories light and fun. Minor criticism - printing error - one caption was flipped with another on a page, I don't remember where. Other than that, a great read and so much fun to learn about my home state that I miss dearly! I bought one for my mother and sister as well.
February 22, 2020
I already knew a lot of Kansas things, but I didn’t know all of these Kansas things. An incredibly interesting read full of fun factoids about the Sunflower State. Obviously great for any Kansan, but a fun read for anyone.
January 15, 2020
So many wild stories! I read Wicked Kansas, also by the same author. His humor shines through in both books. I liked the length of this one more, the other one was interesting but it made me want more due to its shorter length. This one has way more meat. My favorite story in the whole book was the boy that survived a scalping. I've lived in Kansas for 65 years and never once heard that one.
Very fun, go read it.
Very fun, go read it.
February 26, 2020
A masterful spin around Kansas history. Lots of great stories, and was happy to see inclusion of Civil Rights (Langston Hughes' grandmother) , Native Americans (Vice President Curtis), women (first woman mayor) and other groups often left out in the cold in so many Eurocentric histories out there.
January 17, 2020
Hard book to put down! I read this back-to-back with Wicked Kansas in about a week. This one was longer and the scope was pleasantly wide. Hope for a third Kansas history book by the author someday.
January 22, 2018
An extremely readable book featuring short (typically 2 pages or less) segments on Kansas history, Hidden History of Kansas is a fun review of some lesser known historic facts and lesser known details of some better known historic facts. Stories range from the Brenham meteorite to the discovery of a massacre burial site, from Woodrow Wilson's stroke to the utopian society of Silkville. It's a fun book to flip through or read in depth.
May 4, 2020
So I am the nerd that will go to the National Park and see all the amazing things, find the gift shop, and then buy a book. This however is not one of those books. This was a wonderful gift from my parents, and the got me a good one.
I really enjoyed Hidden History of Kansas. While there was a few bits I did know, as a whole I learned a lot about the State a grew up in. Places that I didn't know existed, but have found their way onto my bucket list to visit. It was a lot of fun for both me and flatmate when something new popped up that neither of us knew about. We both got to learn something new.
My favorite thing about this book was how easy it was to read. Adrain Zink does a great job at telling you about this piece of history without taking a side, but it's not dry. Never once did I feel like I was reading a history book for some class. Zink will throw in a bit of humor here and there, or some random thought about what he is telling you. It's engaging and fun.
Plus, the photos are a nice touch. A nice visual of who this section is about, or a visual of what is being talked about. They are a nice break from the story telling, but they don't take away from what your learning.
Honestly I didn't know so many weird and interesting things happened in my home state. I feel a little cheated from the Kansas History class I took back in Junior High, which may have been a bit ago.
There were a few editing issues here and there: miss spelled words and a couple a times where words were missing. But, as a whole it was a really fun book that I absolutely devoured. Normally it takes me a bit to get through a nonfiction book. That was not the case with Hidden Histories I devoured it in two days!
The best part of the whole book is a few the places that were mentioned had some great memories attached to them. Either from being able to go myself with my family, or stories my family tells from trips before I was even a thought. So that was really fun as well.
Buy, Borrow, or Skip: I'd say buy. I'm definitely going pass my copy along to someone I know who would love to read it. It's one of those books that can be passed around.
This and other bookish posts can be found on my blog, Bookish Whispers!
I really enjoyed Hidden History of Kansas. While there was a few bits I did know, as a whole I learned a lot about the State a grew up in. Places that I didn't know existed, but have found their way onto my bucket list to visit. It was a lot of fun for both me and flatmate when something new popped up that neither of us knew about. We both got to learn something new.
My favorite thing about this book was how easy it was to read. Adrain Zink does a great job at telling you about this piece of history without taking a side, but it's not dry. Never once did I feel like I was reading a history book for some class. Zink will throw in a bit of humor here and there, or some random thought about what he is telling you. It's engaging and fun.
Plus, the photos are a nice touch. A nice visual of who this section is about, or a visual of what is being talked about. They are a nice break from the story telling, but they don't take away from what your learning.
Honestly I didn't know so many weird and interesting things happened in my home state. I feel a little cheated from the Kansas History class I took back in Junior High, which may have been a bit ago.
There were a few editing issues here and there: miss spelled words and a couple a times where words were missing. But, as a whole it was a really fun book that I absolutely devoured. Normally it takes me a bit to get through a nonfiction book. That was not the case with Hidden Histories I devoured it in two days!
The best part of the whole book is a few the places that were mentioned had some great memories attached to them. Either from being able to go myself with my family, or stories my family tells from trips before I was even a thought. So that was really fun as well.
Buy, Borrow, or Skip: I'd say buy. I'm definitely going pass my copy along to someone I know who would love to read it. It's one of those books that can be passed around.
This and other bookish posts can be found on my blog, Bookish Whispers!
September 22, 2020
Got this wondering if there is any hidden history worthy of seeing, yep. Begins with rocks pushed due to Ice Age. Many famous names, Lincoln, Kennedy, Custer, Carrie Nation, Rockne, Woodrow Wilson, and more.
B/W images.
B/W images.
December 2, 2024
“Look, I’m just a Kansas housewife,” [Esther Swirk Brown] said nervously. “I don’t represent these people, but I’ve seen the conditions in their school I know none of you would want your children educated under such circumstances. They’re not asking for integration, just a fair shake.”
Folksy, illustrated trivia centered on Kansas. Off-beat and little-known stories which capture the imagination and add depth to schoolbook history. Missed a big one: Kansas was Case Zero for the Great Influenza epidemic of 1918-1920.
No citations though quite a bibliography. Generally accurate, but “His post-war concept of the League of Nations was a massive hit with European powers looking to avoid another calamitous war, but getting the conservative U. S. Senate to ratify it was another matter.” And “The weak League of Nations that ensued failed to stand up to Hitler and history has vindicated Wilson on that count.” No. And no. Lloyd-George and Clemenceau regarded Wilson and his 14-points as naïve at best and probable dangerous, but they played Wilson in public while they wrote what they wanted into the Treaty of Versailles, which led to World War Two.
“Good God, I didn’t realize we were this scared.” Ike [then President Eisenhower] on viewing “massive underground presidential fallout shelter.”
Folksy, illustrated trivia centered on Kansas. Off-beat and little-known stories which capture the imagination and add depth to schoolbook history. Missed a big one: Kansas was Case Zero for the Great Influenza epidemic of 1918-1920.
No citations though quite a bibliography. Generally accurate, but “His post-war concept of the League of Nations was a massive hit with European powers looking to avoid another calamitous war, but getting the conservative U. S. Senate to ratify it was another matter.” And “The weak League of Nations that ensued failed to stand up to Hitler and history has vindicated Wilson on that count.” No. And no. Lloyd-George and Clemenceau regarded Wilson and his 14-points as naïve at best and probable dangerous, but they played Wilson in public while they wrote what they wanted into the Treaty of Versailles, which led to World War Two.
“Good God, I didn’t realize we were this scared.” Ike [then President Eisenhower] on viewing “massive underground presidential fallout shelter.”
December 20, 2017
Though a good read this book doesn't really match up with the description and title. For many of these stories are actually well known and can easily be found in other books. There were some lesser known facts and stories but the author failed to find enough to fill an actual book. This seemed the most obvious on the section about tornadoes and mentioning the 2007 Greensburg tornado. Not sure how that is considered an hidden or overlooked story. In the section on Quantrill's raid the number of the dead in the story is different from the number listed in the photo caption.
Still this is a quick, fun read about Kansas which many will enjoy.
Still this is a quick, fun read about Kansas which many will enjoy.
February 26, 2019
3.5 stars . . . as a Show-Me State native and PROUD Mizzou grad, I'm fearful of what I'm about to type; but as a History Nerd, I'll go with my gut -- there are some interesting places in kansas (Old habits die hard.) that I'm anxious to visit after reading this book. Namely, the memorial to the Knute Rockney crash site in Bazaar; the Cosmosphere (where I've only been for a wedding reception previously) & the salt mine museum in Hutchinson; first Pony Express rider Jimmy Fry's grave in Baxter Springs; and Kentucky Derby winner Lawrin's grave in Prairie Village.
July 7, 2021
i read this book and his other book Wicked Kansas on a couple airplane flights. lots of neat stories, makes for an enjoyable time.
July 8, 2021
Found tons of little gems about my home state that I can't wait to whip out at my next party gathering, or such.
October 19, 2024
I along with my wife and family lived in Kansas for decades. I already knew most of the hidden history within the covers but the stories were fluffed out a little more in some cases. Countless day trips to interesting sites, boring if you ask the kids, but some cool stuff to me.
This book is arranged in a way it reminds you of the old Reader's Digest with each story taking less than 10 minutes to read. You travel through this book fast, and it is enjoyable. The old pictures with some of the stories can tell stories within themselves. There was a picture from 1918 Ft. Riley and I can show you exactly where that photo was taken. The same applies to the old Kansas City stockyards photo.
This was a very enjoyable read for me and for that I would thank the author. How about a part 2?
This book is arranged in a way it reminds you of the old Reader's Digest with each story taking less than 10 minutes to read. You travel through this book fast, and it is enjoyable. The old pictures with some of the stories can tell stories within themselves. There was a picture from 1918 Ft. Riley and I can show you exactly where that photo was taken. The same applies to the old Kansas City stockyards photo.
This was a very enjoyable read for me and for that I would thank the author. How about a part 2?
October 14, 2025
I've lived in Kansas for most of my life and I found this book very interesting. I learned many new things as well as more detail of some of the places, lives and events that I knew just a little about.
February 16, 2020
The writing isn't great, and the white pioneer narrative is largely unquestioned, but there's some fun "did you know" moments in this collection of anecdotes from Kansas history.
October 16, 2024
I absolutely love the state of Kansas and loved all of these short stories in this book. I also loved the bright white glossy pages.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews