Review of Weird Things in History and Why the Heck They Happened
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Review of Weird Things in History and Why the Heck They Happened
Understanding history is of utmost significance, as it imparts valuable knowledge and enlightens us about pivotal occurrences that transpired in the past.
Weird Things in History and Why the Heck They Happened by Pablo Vannucci is a book on past historical events. The author opens the book by delving into the fascinating phenomenon of the Great Moon Hoax. In 1835, a New York newspaper called The Sun published an article claiming life on the moon. Many people uncritically accepted the news during that era without verifying its accuracy. Unbeknownst to readers, it was a clever marketing strategy. This incident serves as a valuable lesson, emphasizing the importance of verifying information before unquestioningly believing it. Moving on, Vannucci then discusses the chaotic 1904 Olympics held in Michigan. The author highlights instances of disorganization, such as the notable athlete Felix Carbajal pausing during races to eat apples. This incident ultimately led to the establishment of the Olympic Committee, which implemented rules and regulations to ensure smoother and more orderly future Olympic events. Next, the author delves into the historical significance of the horo, an ancient Japanese defense instrument. Traditionally worn on the backs of samurai, it was highly effective in warfare. However, with the advent of modern technology like firearms, samurais ceased using the horo. Readers interested in exploring other intriguing historical events can delve into the 157 pages of this book.
I enjoyed some aspects of the book. One aspect that particularly stood out to me was the author's adept explanation of the book's three primary sections: the facts, the story, and the breakdown. In the facts section, the author delves into the historical event, while in the story section, the author shares the historical event in narrative form. Lastly, the breakdown section allows the author to compare these historical events with the present world, illuminating the valuable lessons we can glean from them. Moreover, the book captivated my interest by presenting intriguing facts. In Chapter 4, the author sheds light on how pineapples aid protein digestion. Additionally, the book served as an educational tool, imparting essential lessons. In chapter 9, the author skillfully utilizes the tale of vampires with redheads to discourage discrimination. It emphasizes the significance of respecting the beliefs of others and refraining from using derogatory terms to describe them.
Some aspects of the book did not resonate with me. There were a few illustrations that lacked clarity, making it challenging to establish a connection between the visuals and the accompanying information. For example, on page 14, the depiction of the pineapple was unclear to me. Additionally, I noticed several blank pages throughout the book, such as pages 151, 152, and 156. These empty pages unnecessarily added to the book's length.
I thoroughly enjoyed the segment in the book that focused on the chaotic Olympic event, as it emphasized the significance of establishing a well-structured institution governed by appropriate guidelines. I found no errors in the book, so it is extraordinarily well-edited. Due to the aspects of the book I enjoyed, I rate it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to readers seeking a non-fictional book of historical events from the past.
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Weird Things in History and Why the Heck They Happened
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