A Treasury of Great American Scandals: Tantalizing True Tales of Historic Misbehavior by the Founding Fathers and Others Who Let Freedom Swing

by Michael Farquhar

Book Overview

Following on the heels of his national bestseller A Treasury of Royal Scandals , Michael Farquhar turns his attention to matters a little closer to home with A Treasury of Great American Scandals . From the unhappy family relationships of prominent Americans to the feuds, smear campaigns, duels, and infamous sex scandals that have punctuated our history, we see our founding fathers and other American heroes in the course of their all-too-human events...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142001929
• ISBN13: 9780142001929
• Release Date: July 2003
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Historical scandals

Concise and short chapters, packed with information that would otherwise be difficult to obtain as a student of history having to remember dates and historical characters, geography etc. Mr. Farguhar has to have collected this treasury for decades. Indispensable reading for any serious student of history. The paragraphs are short, probably, no more than 3 pages full of beautiful historical readings. No sentence is wasted. Highly recommended specially Mr. Michael Farquhar.

Hilarious!

For those who are looking for the stories history books can't tell, this a book for you! This book will leave you in shock when you read the juicy accounts of dueling, murder, affairs, insane mother's and wife's, treason, and other scandalous behavior by our founding fathers and other highly esteemed people in our history books! Who would have thought that Ben Franklin would imprison his own son, the son who he also made test his kite and key lightning experiment. You will read of hateful feuds amongst our countries founding fathers, an attempt to steal one of our former President's graves, and the many prejudice comments made by former President Nixon. I personally enjoyed this book because it was funny, and the entertaining stories will also teach you a lot. This book will keep you on your toes, and make you want to know what will happen in the next chapter of scandalous behavior. The history America doesn't shed much light on, is in full color in this book.

A TREASURY INDEED!

This is a terrific, well-researched book that left me laughing and learning at the same time. I highly recommend it, especially to those who were turned off by their American history classes growing up. This book will change your mind, and proves once and for all that history doesn't have to be boring.

Calling all American History Buffs!

No, this is not an in-depth history book, and thank goodness for that! Rather it is a hilarious (and well-researched)collection of historical American scandals--mostly political, and all really, really funny. A great way to learn, and also just a great read. Highly recommended.

EXCELLENT READING

I read this author's first book on Royal Scandals and found it both informative and, at times, very funny. This new book on American Scandals is even better. In Great American Scandals, the reader will find topics that are generally familiar and completely unknown. From the Salem Witch Trials to the 1970s Congressional sexcapades, the author writes with a combination of facts and wit. You will realize, after reading this book, how much you didn't know about the topics you thought you were familiar with.For example, everyone knows that Mary Todd Lincoln was mentally ill. Who knew her own son took her to court to have her committed to a mental institution! Farquhar gives a great history on "dueling" - beginning with the famous Burr-Hamilton duel and moves into its history and its popularity in the 19th century - involving several well and lesser known politicians.I particularly enjoyed the information on the Presidents...the Nixon "quotes" are classic...I highly recommend this book - a must read for all fans of US History!