Rating: 
Summary: I don't remember this from school...
Review: ...but I really enjoyed learning it now! This stuff is enlightening and truly entertaining. Like Farquhar's first book, it's an easy read and truly hilarious. He applies the scathing wit from Royal Scandals to our own history and it provides lots of laughs (even if it did make me feel a bit unpatriotic at times). Don't miss the chapter on Ima Hogg!
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: I bought the book this morning and can not put it down. I should be working but no; I am reading and laughing and really enjoying Michael Farquhar's book. Mr. Farquhar's wit and writing style has once again captured my attention and locked me into reading this book quickly turning each page with exciting anticipation of what could possibly come next. He has me laughing, blushing, and smiling through out the chapters I have read so far. Excellent job! And I wonder why I don't remember any of his content from my grade school history lessons?
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining but suspiciously incomplete
Review: I enjoyed this book and was brought to laughs on more than one occasion. At its best it presents petty differences and disagreements that make even great people human.
However, I was extremely disappointed with Part VI "The American Hall of Shame". Here it becomes very clear where the author stands. He devotes two, you could even say three, of the chapters in this part to denigrating people who had the audacity to consider communism a threat. Never mind that communists were responsible for murdering tens of millions of people. Apparently A. Mitchell Palmer and McCarthy warrant scathing nominations into the "Hall of Shame" but Alger Hiss and Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, just to name three, are not "shameful" enough to warrant even a mention.
While I do not have enough information about the author to call him a communist apologist his "Hall of Shame" sadly reminds me of many of the university professors I had. These are people who gleefully attack those who went too far chasing communists without even a word of mention of the Americans who were in league with the despotic, racist, murderers, in the Kremlin and other places. Mr. Farquhar has written an entertaining book, but his failure to mention the "shamefulness" of the American communist sympathizers, like the aforementioned Hiss and Rosenbergs, is a glaring stain.
Rating:
Summary: A Treasury of Great American Scandals
Review: I expected an excellent & hilarious book from our hometown author, Michael Farquahar, and he delivered! He catapulted me back to early America with the very first story and I was sufficiently shocked, bewildered, and flabbergasted by the behavior of our fore fathers, making them all too human! (And some rather sub-human.) It's a terrific summer read... perfect release date, July 2nd, I might add.. I read it on the beach during my summer vacation and laughed out loud at some of the stories. The people around me wanted to know what was so funny. I would tell one story and then say, "Read the book!"
Needless to say, I have everyone in my family and all of my friends now reading and laughing and trading thoughts on these revelations of our history. Makes you put today's so-called scandals into historical perspective! Bill Clinton had nothing on these guys!
Rating:
Summary: A Treasury of Great American Scandals
Review: I expected an excellent & hilarious book from our hometown author, Michael Farquahar, and he delivered! He catapulted me back to early America with the very first story and I was sufficiently shocked, bewildered, and flabbergasted by the behavior of our fore fathers, making them all too human! (And some rather sub-human.) It's a terrific summer read... perfect release date, July 2nd, I might add.. I read it on the beach during my summer vacation and laughed out loud at some of the stories. The people around me wanted to know what was so funny. I would tell one story and then say, "Read the book!"
Needless to say, I have everyone in my family and all of my friends now reading and laughing and trading thoughts on these revelations of our history. Makes you put today's so-called scandals into historical perspective! Bill Clinton had nothing on these guys!
Rating:
Summary: Top of the Five Stars
Review: I highly recommend this book. It is not only a fun read about America's historical figures, but Michael Farquhar captures personalities. He closes the gap - the famous become human or evil ... and embarrassing. It's great! I read and loved another book by Mr. Farquhar - A Treasury of Royal Scandals - in which he brought to life ancient Romans and historical figures of Russia and England (I especially liked the gruesome chapters on the Popes). I think that I like the American Scandals equally as much, or more. This book made me laugh out loud and I learned. What could be better! I give this book five stars.
Rating:
Summary: Funny and fascinating!
Review: I loved this author's first book, A Treasury of Royal Scandals,and I think this one is even better. It's full of great information butyou also learn a great deal by reading it--and since my knowledge of U.S. History has a lot of holes, this is a good thing! Also, it's fun to see how the political scandals of today are really nothing new--that they've been going on since the beginning of this government.
Rating:
Summary: Who Knew How Much Fun History Could Be
Review: I picked up Michael Farquhar's book because I thought the cover was so funny. Glancing at a few pages, I knew I had to buy it. Turns out, you really can judge a book by its cover! The stories are hilarious, and sometimes even moving. Anyone who was ever bored by their American History classes should read this wonderful book and discover just how fun history can be.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT READING
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Letting Freedom Swing in History Class
Review: If school had been this fun I would have been a history major! Mr. Farquhar's writing style seemlessly blends fact with humor to retell some of our Founding Fathers most amusing and irritating traits. What a fun way to learn and spark interest in learning more about these fascinating people who shaped our country. Fiction could not create better characters and Mr. Farquhar breathes life into them in a whole new way! I approve!
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