Lorelie L. (artgal36) reviewed Civil War Trivia and Fact Book : Unusual and Often Overlooked Facts About America's Civil War on + 471 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Facts about America's most colorful and intriguing war.
As a member of the elite Mitchell Thunderbolts, Pvt. John Gilleland had an idea he was sure would bring a quick end to the war-a double-barreled cannon. Fired simultaneously, it's barrels would eject a pair of balls connected with a chain in order to "mow down Yankees as a scythe cuts wheat." Legend has it that in its sole test firing, balls whizzed around in erratic fashion and killed three Thunderbolts.
Transportation magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt prized each of his ships. But as a patriotic gesture, he agreed to sell a 1,700 ton vessel that bore his name to the Federal government-at his own price. He asked for, and received, exactly one dollar.
More than 2000 unusual, interesting and little-known facts are assembled in a volume that will tantalize the mind on every page. What Confederate general could be identified from a distance by the ostrich plume in his hat? How many Southerners migrated to the North during the war? How many Northerners moved to the South? These and hundreds of other questions are answered.
Included are 33 fascinataing sidebar articles, lists of little-known facts, and 48 unusual photographs and stories.
As a member of the elite Mitchell Thunderbolts, Pvt. John Gilleland had an idea he was sure would bring a quick end to the war-a double-barreled cannon. Fired simultaneously, it's barrels would eject a pair of balls connected with a chain in order to "mow down Yankees as a scythe cuts wheat." Legend has it that in its sole test firing, balls whizzed around in erratic fashion and killed three Thunderbolts.
Transportation magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt prized each of his ships. But as a patriotic gesture, he agreed to sell a 1,700 ton vessel that bore his name to the Federal government-at his own price. He asked for, and received, exactly one dollar.
More than 2000 unusual, interesting and little-known facts are assembled in a volume that will tantalize the mind on every page. What Confederate general could be identified from a distance by the ostrich plume in his hat? How many Southerners migrated to the North during the war? How many Northerners moved to the South? These and hundreds of other questions are answered.
Included are 33 fascinataing sidebar articles, lists of little-known facts, and 48 unusual photographs and stories.
Paul L. (Paucle) reviewed Civil War Trivia and Fact Book : Unusual and Often Overlooked Facts About America's Civil War on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Not one of the better Trivia books out there, and this from someone who really enjoys the American Civil War. Presentation is dull and drab, a simple "QnA" format. This would be forgivable if the As were interesting or borderline amazing, but the majority of them are of the WGAF? variety.
Barely passable for casual browsing, nigh onto worthless as a reference book.
Barely passable for casual browsing, nigh onto worthless as a reference book.
