SERIES THURSDAY: Famous Phonies/Thrilling Thieves/Fantastic Fugitives
ABOUT THE BOOK
Fakes, frauds, and phonies. Sounds like a book filled with criminals and delinquents, doesn’t it? Well, it’s not. Some of the biggest names in history can be found between these pages—and the light isn’t flattering. (We’re looking at you, George “I must not tell a lie” Washington.) Famous Phonies: Legends, Fakes, and Frauds Who Changed History is the first book in a new nonfiction middle grade series that will explore the underbelly of history, making you question everything you thought you knew about history’s finest. Follow the fake lives of these twelve history-changers to uncover the fabrications of the famous, and the should-be-famous!
Famous “Phonies”:
Confucius • George Washington • Pythagoras • Hiawatha • Gilgamesh • Major William Martin • William Shakespeare • Pope Joan • Homer • Prester John • Huangdi • The Turk
REVIEW
So many kids have the mistaken impression that history is boring. Unfortunately, many textbooks make this problem worse by being boring themselves. I don't think I've ever read a history textbook that wasn't boring. That's why narrative nonfiction books like this one are so important. Not only is the snarky tone of the author interesting and bound to be appealing to teenagers, but the information is fascinating. History is actually very messy with very little known about some people and events. And often what has been learned in school is either incomplete or incorrect. For example, George Washington, the 1st President of the United States, has attained legendary status in the minds of many Americans, but that leads to the overlooking of his flaws and mistakes. In this book, DuMont shares some of the things that made George Washington all too human. That makes him easier to understand as a real person who helped establish a country. Some of the individuals included in this book were real people such as Confucius, George Washington, Pythagoras, and William Shakespeare. Yet there are questions about the legitimacy of the credit they've been given for changing the world. Others discussed in the book are not verified to even have existed and yet somehow managed to leave a mark on the world. This is a fascinating, snarky book that proves that history doesn't have to be boring.
ABOUT THE BOOK
What do Mother Theresa, Honest Abe, and Mahatma Gandhi have in common? They’re all too good for this book, that’s what.
In this exciting third book in Brianna DuMont’s Changed History series, it’s the thieves, pirates, and rogues who alter history. Sure, there are a few familiar faces like Queen Elizabeth I and Thomas Edison, but even behind their angelic smiles are cunning con artists who stole their way to gold and greatness. Inside you’ll find fascinating stories about:
The Venetians
Francisco Pizarro
Queen Elizabeth I
Catherine the Great
Napoleon
Madame Chang
Robert Fortune
Robert Smalls
Boss Tweed
Thomas Edison
Vincenzo Perugia
Klaus Fuchs
Follow the trail of these twelve troublemakers to uncover the dishonest origins of the Louvre museum in Paris, the modernization of New York City, and the creation of Hollywood. Find out why the Mona Lisa is the most iconic painting in the world and who propelled her to fame. (Hint: It’s not her creator, Leonardo da Vinci.) Watch empires rise and fall with the theft of a simple tea plant. Enjoy learning about how much our world owes to miscreants through the tales of these thrilling thieves!
REVIEW
In this follow-up to her Famous Phonies book, DuMont takes the reader briefly through the lives of some famous individuals who changed the world, but did it through thievery of various types. Whether you are reading about Catherine the Great who stole a kingdom from her husband the Tsar of Russia or Napoleon who stole numerous pieces of art from each of the lands he conquered or Robert Smalls, a slave, who stole a boat to make his way to freedom, each of the people in this book were real and left their mark on the world they lived in. For some, there remains in the modern world evidence of their work, such as the Louvre where some of the artwork Napoleon stole still resides or movies that Thomas Edison helped create through his thieving and bullying ways. Once again, DuMont has created a fun book full of interesting information about people who changed history but not always using the best methods. It raises the question, do the ends justify the means?
ABOUT THE BOOK
Think fugitives are always bad guys running from the law? Think again! The twelve fugitives in this book annoyed everyone, including queens, presidents and popes. But they didn’t let the peeved or the powerful stop them from breaking laws. They stood up for what they believed in, which could be as noble as freedom or as greedy as money. They founded countries, won wars, and even ended empires—all while on the run! Follow the twists and turns of these lawbreaking lives to learn how anyone can change the world. Even you! Just make sure you have your running shoes tied tight.
Fantastic Fugitives: Criminals, Cutthroats, and Rebels Who Changed History While on the Run! is the second book in Brianna DuMont’s Changed History series. The series includes Famous Phonies: Legends, Fakes, and Frauds Who Changed History (2015) and a forthcoming book on thieves who changed history.
Fantastically fast fugitives hiding inside:
Spartacus * Cleopatra * Martin Luther * Koxinga * Mary, Queen of Scots * The Pilgrims * Harriet Tubman * Typhoid Mary * John Dillinger * Emmeline Pankhurst * Virginia Hall * Nelson Mandela
REVIEW
Brianna DuMont has created a fun series with her Changed History series. This book in the series focuses on individuals who changed the world while on the run. Some of the individuals were criminals such as Koxinga and John Dillinger. Others were seeking something others didn't want them to have such as Harriet Tubman, Nelson Mendela, and Spartacus. Others wanted more than they had and offended many in their efforts to get it such as Cleopatra and Mary, Queen of Scots. But all of the people discussed in the book left a mark on the world, sometimes good, sometimes not so good. All of these individuals though have stories that make for some interesting reading. The snarky tone of the author will make the book that much more appealing to some readers. Others might not enjoy it so much. But all in all, an entertaining informative read.
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