anecdotes

"Through the author's travels in Europe and the United States, Try to Get Lost explores the quest for place that compels and defines us: the things we carry, how politics infuse geography, media's depictions of an idea of home, the ancient and modern reverberations of the word "hotel," and the ceaseless discovery generated by encounters with self and others on familiar and foreign ground. Frank posits that in fact time itself may be our ultimate, inhabited place-the "vastest real estate we know," with a "stunningly short" lease"--.

Contains 388 chronologically arranged entries that provide accounts of some of modern history's greatest scandals in the areas of politics and government, business and finance, education, religion, science, sports, entertainment, literature, and the arts; covering events from 1904 to 2008, with geographical, category, personages, and subject indexes.

Engaging survey of twenty-three battles of the American Civil War. Intriguing tales include naval engagements, naval battles against land forces, cover-ups and scapegoats, unexpedted combat and military blunders.

Presents an informal history of the American Revolution, covering the Stamp Act, Paul Revere, and the battle of Ticonderoga, and includes extracts from letters, memorable quotes, and line illustrations.

Describes all the issues and events--large, small, and even personal--that led up to the Civil War, covering the stories of the soldiers and statesmen involved.

A collection of essays which explore some of the most tragic disasters in U.S. history, including information on the sinking of the Titanic, the Challenger explosion, the Chicago fire, and the Exxon Valdez disaster.

Text and illustrations look at some of the outlandish people, events, and more from the United States history including ten-cent beer night, the Jackson cheese, the Kentucky meat shower, and other topics.

Presents a collection of humorous essays in which the author reflects on various moments throughout his life, relating them all back to a discussion of love, family, and what it means to accept oneself entirely.

Examines the lives and deeds of thirty men and women who were newsworthy in their own time but have since been forgotten, including pirate Anne Bonny, Paul Revere's partner William Dawes, and hanging judge Isaac Parker.