Famous Phonies: Legends, Fakes, and Frauds Who Changed History
3/5
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About this ebook
If you like to think of Shakespeare only as a brilliant bard, or prefer only to know Pythagoras by his math skills, then you might want to put this book down. Seriously. Because this book is about to change your idea of history. But if you like a little controversy, or want to impress your parents and friends with some little-known tidbits of historical drama, then Famous Phonies: Legends, Fakes, and Frauds Who Changed History is for you.
Over the centuries, plenty of scandals, swindles, and skeletons have passed under history’s radar and missed out on being included in your textbook. (We’re looking at you, George “I cannot tell a lie” Washington.) Some of the biggest names in history can be found between these pages—and the light isn’t flattering. These figures are lucky that prime-time TV and all-access internet didn’t exist in Ancient Greece, Renaissance Europe, medieval England, or Revolutionary America, or else they could have kissed their sterling reputations goodbye. Famous Phonies: Legends, Fakes, and Frauds Who Changed History explores the underbelly of history, making you question everything you thought you knew about history’s finest. Follow the fake lives of these twelve history-changers to uncover the fabrications of the famous and the should-be-famous!
So, if you can handle it, take a peek at inside. Some of the famous “phonies” covered in this book include:
- George Washington
- Pythagoras
- Hiawatha
- Gilgamesh
- Confucius
- Major William Martin
- William Shakespeare
- Pope Joan
- Homer
- Prester John
- Huangdi
- The Turk
Brianna DuMont
Brianna DuMont is author of the Changed History series, which makes history come alive by exposing its murky underbelly. The first book in the series, Famous Phonies: Legends, Fakes, and Frauds Who Changed History, includes gems about I-must-not-tell-a-lie” George Washington and schoolless Shakespeare. When she’s not writing quirky books, Brianna travels the world in search of great museums and historical sites. When she’s at home, she is a full-time writer and researcher who is quickly becoming best friends with her local librarian. She and her family live in Chicago, Illinois.
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Reviews for Famous Phonies
6 ratings2 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Brianna DuMont's book is directed towards children ranging in age from 10 to 14. The book is her initial offering into what she calls a Changed History series. Famous Phonies; Legends, Fakes and Frauds Who Changed History is designed to appeal to the middle-school student who tends to be turned away from square, adult language. Ms. DuMont is not dull. She speaks the language of the intended audience.Notwithstanding William Shakespeare and George Washington, most of the subjects covered in DuMont's book are not highly recognizable. Young readers are introduced to The Turk, Pope Joan, Major William Martin, Prester John and others. The author digs into the phoniness of real and legendary historical figures in a way that makes learning experiences exciting.Do you remember a teacher at the middle school level who inspired you to learn? One such teacher of geography comes to mind. I will always remember the name of the capital of Honduras because he told of a fictional animal. He called a galpa, and said it was native to Honduras. His silly story involved someone deciding to approach from behind to goose it. You get the idea. I have always remembered that Tegucigalpa is the Honduran capital. What's next for Ms. DuMont sounds tantalizing. She has posted on her Twitter account that the second book in the series relating to changed history will be about fugitives. She tweeted in the middle of February 2015 that it would come out in a year. While you are waiting for that one, consider grabbing onto the book about phonies. It would be the perfect birthday gift for a child not quite ready for high school.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Eh. A good deal of it I knew, and considered obvious; a good deal I didn't know, and didn't think was very important. Operation Mincemeat was completely new to me and interesting, but most of it (George Washington, Shakespeare, Confucius, Pope Joan...) were rather dull. The language was also very simplistic, and read as the author writing down to her (presumed) audience - lots of "Yes, even worse than (cultural reference that kids probably wouldn't get - Gilligan's Island, etc)!". I'm not sure who she thought she was writing for, but it certainly wasn't me.
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