History's Greatest Lies: The Startling Truths Behind World Events Our History Books Got Wrong

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Synopsis
Get the real facts you weren’t taught in school and learn how these myths have survived for so long.Discover the stories behind history’s greatest lies and how—and why—the world’s biggest whoppers have survived textbooks and lesson plans for years. For instance, did you know the conquistador Hernán Cortés wasn’t as bloodthirsty as they say? Neither were the Goths, who were actually the most progressive of the Germanic tribes. Or, that a petty criminal with a resemblance to John Dillinger was probably assassinated instead of the notorious bank robber?In History’s Greatest Lies, Weir sets the record straight through a fascinating examination of historical lies and myths and the true stories behind them. Each chapter pinpoints a misconception held as common truth in history.For example:Emperor Nero did not fiddle as Rome burnedPaul Revere had plenty of help in his midnight rideIn terms of prisons, the Bastille wasn’t all that badWeir explains why each lie persevered in our minds through ulterior motives, responsibility shirking, or exaggerations. You’ll also discover the common threads that make up these falsehoods: the scapegoats, the spin needed to cast undeserving in a better light, and the frightful oversimplification of facts.Praise for History’s Greatest Lies“Weir takes no prisoners—and tells no lies—in his continuously surprising and always fascinating new book. Great falsehoods have shaped history even more than great truths; the enduring fascination of this highly original volume is discovering how much of what we accept for fact is just plain wrong.” —Joe Cummins, author of The War Chronicles: From Chariots to Flintlocks and History’s Greatest Untold Stories
Copyright:
2009

Book Details

Book Quality:
Publisher Quality
Book Size:
348 Pages
ISBN-13:
9781616734374
Related ISBNs:
9781592333363
Publisher:
Quarto Publishing Group USA
Date of Addition:
Copyrighted By:
Fair Winds Press
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Has Image Descriptions:
No
Categories:
History, Nonfiction, Reference, Education, Social Studies, Language Arts
Submitted By:
Bookshare Staff
Usage Restrictions:
This is a copyrighted book.

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