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

The true stories behind historical events give readers a fascinating new look at our past. The revelations shock and amaze by exposing veiled motivations and convenient inaccuracies in well-documented actions by established leaders that often have a continuing effect on the world. Each of the fifteen chapters points out a myth that is held as a common truth in history and summarizes what we think we know. Then the author shreds the tale to academic ribbons using the latest findings on each subject. Each true story sets the record straight, reveals timeless ulterior motives, introduces important personalities who successfully (and suspiciously) avoided responsibility in common history texts, and notes underlining issues that have continued relevance in the modern age. For instance, did Nero really fiddle as Rome burned? Did Paul Revere actually alert the militia that the British were coming? Did the Catholic Church imprison Galileo because his teachings conflicted with the Bible? Weir takes on all these myths and tells the reader what really happened.

the True Stories Behind Historical Events Give Readers A Fascinating New Look At Our Past. The Revelations Shock And Amaze By Exposing Veiled Motivations And Convenient Inaccuracies In Well-documented Actions By Established Leaders That Often Have A Continuing Effect On The World.

each Of The Fifteen Chapters Points Out A Myth That Is Held As A Common Truth In History And Summarizes What We Think We Know. Then The Author Shreds The Tale To Academic Ribbons Using The Latest Findings On Each Subject. Each True Story Sets The Record Straight, Reveals Timeless Ulterior Motives, Introduces Important Personalities Who Successfully (and Suspiciously) Avoided Responsibility In Common History Texts, And Notes Underlining Issues That Have Continued Relevance In The Modern Age. For Instance, Did Nero Really Fiddle As Rome Burned? Did Paul Revere Actually Alert The Militia That The British Were Coming? Did The Catholic Church Imprison Galileo Because His Teachings Conflicted With The Bible? Weir Takes On All These Myths And Tells The Reader What Really Happened.

 

publishers Weekly

in Historian Weir's Newest, He Examines And Debunks Popular Historical Myths, Trimming The Proceedings In A Textbook-like Assemblage Of Color Illustrations And Sidebars. Weir Cites Numerous Sources While Restoring Historical Accuracy To Popular Legends, Including Nero's Fiddling, The Unconquerable Afghanistan And Paul Revere's Ride. Though Largely Well-written And Meticulously Researched, Weir Stretches Mightily To Incorporate Some Of His Investigations; His Look At Jesse James In Particular Rings False, Citing An American Robin Hood Myth That Weir May As Well Have Made Up (has Anyone Ever Argued That James Wasn't A Vicious Murderer And Thief?). A Few More Stories Like This Unfortunately Detract From The Strong Entries; Especially Illuminating Are The Passages On Wyatt Earp And John Dillinger. Though There Are Surprises To Be Found For History Buffs, Knowledgeable Readers Will Find Enough Off-track Editorializing And Fluff To Question Some Of Weir's More Salient And Interesting Points. 125 Color Illus.
copyright © Reed Business Information, A Division Of Reed Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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 burned Paul Revere had plenty of help in his midnight ride In terms of prisons, the Bastille wasn't all that bad Weir 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 The true stories behind history commonly told give readers a fascinating new look at our past. The revelations shock and amaze by exposing veiled motivations and convenient inaccuracies in well-documented events by established leaders that often have a continuing affect on the world. Each of the 25-30 chapters points out a lie that is held as a common truth in history and summarizes what we think we know. Then the author shreds the lie to academic ribbons using the latest findings on each subject. Each true story sets the record straight, reveals timeless ulterior motives, introduces important personalities who successfully (and suspiciously) avoided responsibility in common history texts, and notes underlining issues that have continued relevance in the modern age. From the unvarnished story of the crusades and the damage it did to the Muslim and Christian relationship to the real reason behind the start of the Vietnam War Goes behind the scenes of historical myths, legends, and events to set the record straight about historical inaccuracies and lies, ranging from the truth about the crusades to the real motives behind the Vietnam War. Original.