The Best History Books 2015: 2024 List

King George: What Was His Problem?: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn't Tell You About the American Revolution

During the early 1800's, America was ruled by an unseen English ruler. There were only 13 colonies, and the French and Indian war (also known as the Seven Years War) was in full swing. The cost of maintaining 10,000 soldiers in North America was a hefty burden. Luckily, the British could raise cash by passing a silly little tax, the stamp tax, on paper goods.

In particular, the stamp tax was a major source of friction. Some members of the British Parliament were worried that the act would inspire colonial resistance. Aside from the obvious, the most interesting entrant was the Sons of Liberty, who insisted on throwing stones at the tax collectors' houses.

Having said that, the real reason for the Stamp Act's existence is a little less palatable. The Stamp Act was an oddball in the realm of British policy making, so to speak, and was never officially implemented in the United States. Despite this, the act spawned a few nifty neophytes, or neo-buxotes as they are better known. In fact, one could argue that the American colonies would be better off today had it never been implemented.

The main problem was that the Stamp Act was not a very well thought out piece of legislation. The act entailed a number of minor gaffes, some of which are documented in King George: What Was His Problem? Fortunately, these gaffes were less costly to correct than the larger blunders.

Cunegonde's Kidnapping: A Story of Religious Conflict in the Age of Enlightenment

During the height of the Enlightenment, the Vaals was a place where modern day Holland, Belgium, and Germany met in the grandest of ways. The area was a hotbed for religious concord, and for religious fervor, at the very least. The best and brightest of the Protestants would make the pilgrimage to the Reformed Vaals for services, while the Catholics opted for a less arduous trip to the Aachen. The area was home to a few notable notables, including a spry old lady, a high-powered tycoon, and a sprightly snooper. The area was also home to a couple of notable miscreants, including the notorious dude, the self-described "best" man in the entire universe.

The name of the book should be obvious, but the octave title has a couple of octave names to choose from. Cunegonde's Kidnapping: A Story of Religious Conflict in the Age of Enlightenment by Benjamin J. Kaplan is a Yale University Press author, and the book is available for the princely sum of $43.90. This is a worthwhile investment, considering the book's high-quality writing and its fascinating history.

The best part is the fact that the book was written by someone who has lived and breathed the area. This allows Kaplan to draw upon a wealth of primary source material to tell the tale of the area's most memorable era. The book is also a companion to the book's author's more recent opus, Divided by Faith: An Insider's History of Religious Conflict in Europe.

Agents of Empire by Noel Malcolm

Using a wealth of primary sources, historian Noel Malcolm reconstructs the political activities of two Albanian families in late sixteenth century Eastern Mediterranean. The two families, the Bruni and Bruti, came from the Venetian-dominated Adriatic coast. The Bruti dynasty settled in Ulcinj, an Adriatic city. They served as diplomats, spies and as archbishops.

The Bruni family included a captain of the papal flagship at the Battle of Lepanto. Bartolomeo Bruni wanted to serve Spain to avenge his family. He was also a spymaster for his grand master. He was a big part of the Council of Trent.

Ulcinj, the port city where the Bruti and Bruni families settled, was a border zone between the Ottomans and the Venetians. Its inhabitants were multilingual and mobile. The city's population suffered from occasional famines and malaria. There was little public revenue, and the ecclesiastical revenues were low.

As the Ottomans and Venetians fought each other, the Ottomans appointed local rulers. The Sultans often milked the local rulers for tribute. The local rulers' allegiances changed as their prosperity increased. This resulted in peaceful interaction between the opposing power-blocs.

Agents of Empire has many fascinating stories. It includes details of food, religion, warfare and trade in the sixteenth century. It also includes a simplified family tree and a 48-page bibliography. It includes maps and 39 illustrations. The book's dense writing may irritate the casual reader, though.

Mustacich's history of Monopoly

Upon closer inspection, the book's best offerings were a tad more than abrasive. One could be forgiven for not having to scrounge for a prize. Having said that, the book did its best on a small budget. Thisn't exactly a problem if one knows the book well in advance. Moreover, the book was in a good state of mind. The only downside was the lack of a nipper to boot. Hence, one is now on the prowl for one. Despite the malarkey trolls, the book did its best. Thisn't exactly a bother, despite the best of the lot having been at a different time of day. Likewise, a tad more than olfactory etiquette abounds. Having said that, the book was one of the most enjoyable reads I've had all year.

Miles' book chronicles the fascinating and disturbing history of slavery in early Detroit

During the early years of Detroit, slavery was a major factor in the city's development. It affected not only the people who were enslaved but also the people who were Native Americans. This book offers an illuminating look at the history of slavery and Detroit.

The book is written by Tiya Miles, professor of history at the University of Michigan. She wrote "The Dawn of Detroit: A History of Slavery in Early Detroit." It is a highly researched book that reveals the centrality of slavery in the early years of Detroit. The book also reveals the role of the Native Americans in Detroit.

As a part of the Detroit's development, French country traders and Quebec traders settled in the city. They also continued trading with native allies in the area.

As a part of the Detroit's redevelopment, most of the antebellum structures have been demolished. However, Miles' book brings new layers of complexity to the Detroit's history.

She also examines the relationship between slavery and capitalism. Berry documents the monetization of flesh, including sales, auctions, and births. These aspects of slavery are concealed by most scholars. But Berry's documentation reveals these hidden aspects of slavery.

In addition to slavery, Detroit was also home to several black political movements. Some of these movements were led by black leaders such as Dudley Randall, who was the owner of Broadside Press and a prominent publisher. He also brought many black writers to the forefront.

Franzen's Purity

Compared to his last two novels, Freedom and The Corrections, Jonathan Franzen's Purity has received comparatively less attention. The novel is a sprawling, 600 page epic that is both an intriguing and timely story. It explores the relationship between the internet and human relationships and has a few big plot twists. It also takes on a tricky argument about gender roles and feminism.

Franzen's novel is a sprawling, multi-faceted story that combines serious political themes with comic scenes. It follows several tangential characters. The story also has a complex romantic history. It takes place in two distinct time periods. Its biggest plot twist comes late in the book.

Purity begins with the story of Pip Tyler, a recent college graduate with a dead-end job and $130,000 in student loan debt. She lives in a squat in Oakland, and works for a clean-energy call center. She has a complicated relationship with her mother, a reclusive hypochondriac.

The novel is divided into three sections, which are narrated by Pip, her sister Annagret, and her brother Tom. These three sections are interspersed with flashbacks and flashforwards. These are connected by a couple of plot devices that add urgency. One is a stolen nuclear warhead. Another is a narrated memoir.

A few major characters are not very complex. However, there are many strong women. Several characters are compromised by men in the novel. These include the main characters, Pip and Tom, as well as Pip's mother, Anabel Laird.

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