Stupid American History: Tales of Stupidity, Strangeness, and Mythconceptions

By Leland Gregory

Book Overview

A New York Times Bestseller Welcome to the land of the free, the home of the brave--and, apparently, the dumb, bizarre, and gullible . . . Did you know that . . . John Tyler was on his knees playing... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1449428924
• ISBN13: 9781449428921
• Release Date: January 2013
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
• Length: 266 Pages
• Weight: 1.09 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Sceptical.

Since John Tyler died in 1861 he would not have been playing marbles when Benjamin Harrison (the one who was President) died. Is this an unfortunate error in the excerpt or is the book full of them?

Brilliant Stupidity

I've been a fan of Leland Gregory's for years, since his "Dumbest Criminals" books and general chronicling of idiots in all walks of American Life. This latest version of Stupid History doesn't disappoint. I love reading one surprising tidbit after another- it's like historical popcorn. Looking forward to his next--

I Loved it and I'm not stupid!

I really liked this book. I bought a few extra to give as gifts. Cool. It's like a book version of something you would see on cable.

History for the Short Attention Span Reader

Once again, Leland Gregory has done my homework for me. I hated history in school. Why? Because the teachers made it so boring. "Stupid American History" gives me just enough facts in an interesting delivery. I use the new slant on the historical tidbits to appear brilliant and dazzle my opponents in Trivial Pursuit contests. Neener, neener, neener! Waiting for your next offering, Mr.Gregory.

Hitorically Fun!

I was so pleased to find that Gregory took a fun, light approach to a wide variety of topics and time periods in our history. I have enjoyed his other books, and jumped at the chance to read this one. Each tid-bit is quick and fun- just enough to make you think and give you a laugh. When I want something deep and cranial I'll break out my computer. The title says it all. It's one I enjoyed reading over a period of time- picking it up between projects to enjoy another entry or two each time, and looking forward to the next installments. Well done... once again! I highly recommend it.

What I Thougth I knew about American History was not correct!

Once again, Leland Gregory has changed the way I look at history, American history, this time. We all grew up learning this in school that this book now debunks as legend or myth. Sometimes the truth just isn't as interesting, so someone says something a little beyond the truth and off the stories grow. The vignettes can be read in short spurts or all at one time and they'll keep you pondering and maybe even laughing the entire time. This book just proves that one should keep learning or relearning, in this case, all their lives as sometimes things aren't always as they seem or we were made to think they were.