Customer Reviews

It All Started With Columbus

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is, quite simply, a masterpiece of American humor. However, the same can be said of most of Richard Armour's books, including such classics as "It All Started With Marx," "English Lit Relit," "Twisted Tales From Shakespeare" (with its classic description of Hamlet entering 'with his nose in a book, perhaps to keep his place'), and of course "The Classics Reclassified." This is the cream of the crop, which is saying a lot given the quality of the crop. Starting with Christopher Columbus and working his way into the twentieth century, Armour has combined great scholarship with a wild sense of humor (Explorers returned with "Chinaware from China, Indiaware from India, and Underware from Down Under") to make an indelible mark on the study of history. And it will contribute to the reader's knowledge, because you will grasp obscure facts better by virtue of Armour's jokes. This has been one of my favorite books for many years, and it is WELL WORTH finding in a library or a book-finding service; the history buff will want to re-read it frequently for a good laugh!

If you are a History fan, you MUST read this, and any of the other books by Richard Armour. You will DEFINITELY look at America in a Whole NEW light...even if this book IS out of print! Maybe we can start a movement to have his stuff brought back! It is a CLASSIC in the True sense of the word. I especially love the description about Davy Crockett.. "He wore a Coonskin Cap and Bucksin Coat -but it never says wether or not he wore pants..."

Although not as good as his "Twisted Tales from Shakespeare" and "The Classics Reclassified," this volume is still a funny overview of American History.

This book has got to be one of the funniest history books around. I enjoyed history in school, but I like Armour's version even better. This book has become a family classic.

This is one of the first books I ever bought as a kid. My edition ends with LBJ as president, so it's older than this one. Since I was only about 7 when I bought it, I didn't know most of the "real" history Armour was spoofing, but I still loved the book and read it many times. I need to dig out my old copy and give it another good read. Highly recommended!

I first read this book in 1963 and laughed and cackled aloud, on the bus, at home, at work...

Best view of American History you will ever read.

Book - the service was outstanding. The book came in just the condition as described and it was carefully packaged. Inside was a very pleasant personal note and a bonus gift book! Overall, would give this supplier a big hand-shake for service and delivery.