Alfy's Amazing But True: Tales of American History and More
by Alfred A.E. Wolfram
Published by Expert Publishing, Inc
Click on book
cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
History has never been my favorite subject. As a matter of fact, history, albeit important, doesn't even rank in the top ten of academic subjects I'm interested in. That said, I wasn't sure how I felt about reviewing a book titled, Alfy's Amazing But True: Tales of American History and More. Yeah, right. I had visions of the title being a sly way to "suck" me in and make me pick up the book. It worked! I'm still shaking my head and laughing, wondering what happened.
Wolfram had an exceptional history teacher in Professor Henry Hull. Hull gave him a love for and insight to history and how to present it. Hull introduced his students to American history with these words: "History is nothing more than lies agreed upon!" Wolfram learned by the end of the first class that Hull's statement wasn't exactly true, but he had garnered Wolfram's attention.
The author presents little-known historical stories in a wildly fun manner. I had a difficult time putting the book down, even when dinner called out to me.
Some of my favorite stories: A Real Hero (who was a doctor, spy, style promoter, social reformer, the only civilian ever to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor—and a woman!), a Reporter's Reporter (the story of Nellie Bly), A Song for Dorothy (the real history of the song "Over the Rainbow"), The First Public Library (it speaks for itself) and Tradition, Honor, Patriotism (about the last Japanese soldier to surrender following the end of World War II).
Armchair Interviews agrees: This is a grand romp and we strongly recommend it.