rlse's review against another edition
5.0
This book was incredibly captivating, entertaining, and eye-opening. Heartily recommended to all!
llkendrick's review against another edition
4.0
If you are a history buff or one of those people who enjoy visiting historical sites then this book is for you! I liked that each chapter was on a completely different topic so that I was able to pick this up at different times, in between books, and not be lost. I'm glad I got to learn so many new and important historical facts that took place in America.
readers_block's review against another edition
5.0
"History's most overlooked value is its ability to influence the way we live our lives and how we treat one another on a day-to-day basis. At its best, history nurtures within us humility and gratitude. It encourages respect and empathy. It fosters creativity and stimulates the imagination. It inspires resilience. And it does so by illuminating the simple truth that, whether due to some cosmic fluke or divine providence, it's an absolute miracle that any one of us is alive today, walking around on this tiny sphere surrounded by an ocean of space, and that we are, above everything else, all in this together."
I cannot say enough good things about this book. Carroll is an unbelievably gifted storyteller. This book is fascinating in that it will teach you things you cannot believe you didn't already know. The author has a knack for writing a paragraph full of extremely interesting things, but then punctuating the last sentence with the most remarkable part of it all. The fascinating facts don't ever cease throughout the course of this book. There were points where I actually laugh out out loud. Rarely did a paragraph pass where I didn't hear something amazing I wanted to share with someone. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in history, or just interested in learning. I feel like this book should be required reading for high schoolers- it finally shows the reader how unbelievably interesting history is.
My only problem with the book: one of my biggest pet peeves is when authors talk about the pictures they've taken and don't include them. Carroll talks about a number of the fascinating places he has photographed, and I would have loved to see some of those images.
Anyway, 5/5.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. Carroll is an unbelievably gifted storyteller. This book is fascinating in that it will teach you things you cannot believe you didn't already know. The author has a knack for writing a paragraph full of extremely interesting things, but then punctuating the last sentence with the most remarkable part of it all. The fascinating facts don't ever cease throughout the course of this book. There were points where I actually laugh out out loud. Rarely did a paragraph pass where I didn't hear something amazing I wanted to share with someone. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in history, or just interested in learning. I feel like this book should be required reading for high schoolers- it finally shows the reader how unbelievably interesting history is.
My only problem with the book: one of my biggest pet peeves is when authors talk about the pictures they've taken and don't include them. Carroll talks about a number of the fascinating places he has photographed, and I would have loved to see some of those images.
Anyway, 5/5.
in2reading's review against another edition
5.0
The best compliment I can give to this book is that I hope the author will soon write another one! A fascinating exploration of little known historical episodes in American history told through the author's trips to the places where they occurred. He manages to weave a little suspense into the stories and makes some wonderful points about the value of knowing our history. My favorite stories were the medical ones but all of it was really interesting. His willingness to share his personal quirks adds to the enjoyment. He outlined over 16 stories in the acknowledgements that didn't make it into this book but I hope they will make it into the next one!
lindzee's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Most of the stories were interesting, but I found that he expanded more on the ones that I already knew most of it.
bowienerd_82's review against another edition
4.0
This is totally my jam: stories about the people that inhabit our history, and the fact that a lot of these people are largely overlooked or forgotten only made it more fascinating. I had no idea that one man developed a huge chunk of our commonly used vaccines (Maurice Hilleman), or that the Goddard Space Flight Center was only named that after a patent infringement settlement. This book is chock full of dozens of people and events I'd never heard of, but was delighted to learn about.
A couple of minor complaints kept this from being a 5-star book:
1) The tone. Carroll comes off as a bit smug and patronizing at times, especially when the people around him knew nothing about the local historical figure or event he was researching. I'm kind of surprised he didn't get slapped at least once or twice during his travels for this book.
2) The organization (or lack thereof). The book is kind of arranged thematically, but the way it jumps all over the place both in terms of geography and chronology drove me a little crazy. I would have most liked to see it in the order of places Carroll went, but any sort of more involved organization would have been appreciated.
Otherwise, though, a delight to read, and a book I am glad to own, as I will definitely be referring back to it in the future.
A couple of minor complaints kept this from being a 5-star book:
1) The tone. Carroll comes off as a bit smug and patronizing at times, especially when the people around him knew nothing about the local historical figure or event he was researching. I'm kind of surprised he didn't get slapped at least once or twice during his travels for this book.
2) The organization (or lack thereof). The book is kind of arranged thematically, but the way it jumps all over the place both in terms of geography and chronology drove me a little crazy. I would have most liked to see it in the order of places Carroll went, but any sort of more involved organization would have been appreciated.
Otherwise, though, a delight to read, and a book I am glad to own, as I will definitely be referring back to it in the future.
tarheel99's review against another edition
4.0
Won on Firstreads. I liked this book quite a bit. Had very interesting stories and topics all the way through the book. Author really showed how much he cared about all of these unrecognized people and events throughout American history, and how much he felt they needed to be more than an afterthought. If there's a second volume to come in the future, count me in.
luvbug7554's review against another edition
4.0
Short stories telling little know historical footnotes. Written in a format like a letter to a fried.
verumsolum's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun, light read through a bunch of historic sites from all over the United States and the people and stories behind them. I also appreciated the bite-size chapters, because I could easily pick this book up at any time and not worry about having a lot of context to remember (especially if I had last left the book at a chapter break)