Death by Petticoat: American History Myths Debunked

By Mary Miley Theobald

This myth-busting compendium sets the record straight on American history, from famous-but-false legends to weird-but-true stories.

American history is full of oft-repeated errors and outright fabrications—as well as truths that are stranger than fiction. Collaborating with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Mary Miley Theobald has uncovered the real stories behind many well-known myth-understandings.

Did pregnant women really seclude themselves indoors? Were uneven stairs made to trip up burglars? Did people only bathe once a year? Death by Petticoat reveals the truth about these and many other funny, surprising, and strange misapprehensions of history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jun 5, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449418540

Book preview

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Reviews for Death by Petticoat

[jen6e6moore · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A brief pamphlet-like book debunking American history myths. Since I had never heard the bulk of these "myths" it's hard to say how good this book is. I confess to wishing for some citations, although I admit it's difficult to find a citation for "there are no citations for this idea, who knows where it came from."

[iambookish-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An interesting little book that debunks myths about the colonial era. Some I had heard of and others were new to me. I wish the author had included a few real facts that are sometimes thought of as myths. I also wish that the book had a little more meat to it, as it was almost too brief. I would have enjoyed it a lot more if she had elaborated on each myth.

[mpbarker-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Entertaining debunking of American history myth-stories.

[switchknitter · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A quick read about false American history myths, such as Victorians putting skirts on table legs and women eating arsenic to lighten their skin. It's an enjoyable little book, and it's cheap for Kindle.