One-Night Stands with American History (Revised and Updated Edition): Odd, Amusing, and Little-Known Incidents

Richard Shenkman, Kurt Reiger

Harper Collins, Aug 5, 2003 - History - 336 pages

Respect yourself in the morning -- read One-Night Stands with American History!

This collection of little-known facts and anecdotes is American history with the boring parts left out. Richard Shenkman and Kurt Reiger have uncovered numerous stories about hoaxes, inventions, secrets, and rare incidents -- many involving the most famous and powerful people in America.

• President U. S. Grant was arrested for speeding in his horse carriage.
• J. Edgar Hoover refused to allow people to walk on his shadow.
• France shipped Louisiana twenty-five prostitutes because women were in short supply in 1721.
• H. L. Hunt won his first oil well in a game of five-card stud.

Even historians find that One-Night Stands with American History features fascinating stories they never knew. Now updated with facts and anecdotes from the last twenty years, this volume is a treasure trove of remarkable stories that will startle, entertain, and inform you. And the best part is that they're all true!

What people are saying

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - coachtim30 - LibraryThing

This book is filled with tasty bits and bites of American history appropriately sectioned chronologically in 9 chapters. Even the most inveterate researchers, students, or historians will probably ...

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - Luftwaffe_Flak - LibraryThing

Im usually not into American History but this book is interesting and excellent. Full of facts that make you gasp or go "Huh?!".

About the author

Richard Shenkman is an associate professor of history at George Mason University and the New York Times bestselling author of six history books, including Presidential Ambition; Legends, Lies & Cherished Myths of American History; and Just How Stupid Are We? Facing the Truth About the American Voter. The editor and founder of George Mason University’s History News Network website, he can be seen regularly on Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC.

Bibliographic information

• Title: One-Night Stands with American History (Revised and Updated Edition): Odd, Amusing, and Little-Known Incidents
• Authors: Richard Shenkman, Kurt Reiger
• Edition: illustrated, revised
• Publisher: Harper Collins, 2003
• ISBN: 0060538201, 9780060538200
• Length: 336 pages
• Subjects: History / General; History / United States / General