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A review by voodoo_x_valentine
F*cking History: 111 Lessons You Should Have Learned in School by The Captain
5.0
Like many people, I became aware of The Captain through his social media presence. I vaguely knew that he had written books, but I didn't give much credence to it until I saw a post discussing the upcoming, updated F*cking History.
I'm only going to continue this review if we can all come to the agreement that history is not my jam. Okay? Okay. That said, I found myself Googling names from the book. No big deal to history buffs, but to a person whose historical knowledge post-high school has come from Indiana Jones, this is huge. We're not talking about a cursory Google to fact-check; no, my friends, this is a deep dive to determine the best methods to incorporate historical weirdness into current habits without going to jail (or, you know, dying). If nothing else, the book should provide a conversation piece because I don't normally read about history unless there's the promise of a paycheck (or the threat of academic failure). I found myself unable to put this down. When it was inconvenient to physically read the print book, Audible to the rescue.
Full disclosure: I have both the audiobook and the print version. So far. I'll probably buy the e-book too. You know, complete the set.
Throughout the book, The Captain reminds us all that we're writing our own story every day; the message is especially relevant in the uncertain time that is 2020, but it feels more like a pep talk with a friend than pandering (or therapy). The lessons are long enough to be engaging, but short enough to leave the reader wanting to know more. In between giggle fits, I looked people up. I've also told my child (a recent high school graduate) that he's going to read this book. In the days that I've owned the book, I've finished the print version once and the audiobook twice. It's a pick-me-up in these uncertain times, and on more than one instance an inspiration to get out and DO something. If there was ever a testament to the general weirdness of humankind, the eternal fortitude of womankind, or the lengths to which people will go for sex and love, it's this book.
I'm only going to continue this review if we can all come to the agreement that history is not my jam. Okay? Okay. That said, I found myself Googling names from the book. No big deal to history buffs, but to a person whose historical knowledge post-high school has come from Indiana Jones, this is huge. We're not talking about a cursory Google to fact-check; no, my friends, this is a deep dive to determine the best methods to incorporate historical weirdness into current habits without going to jail (or, you know, dying). If nothing else, the book should provide a conversation piece because I don't normally read about history unless there's the promise of a paycheck (or the threat of academic failure). I found myself unable to put this down. When it was inconvenient to physically read the print book, Audible to the rescue.
Full disclosure: I have both the audiobook and the print version. So far. I'll probably buy the e-book too. You know, complete the set.
Throughout the book, The Captain reminds us all that we're writing our own story every day; the message is especially relevant in the uncertain time that is 2020, but it feels more like a pep talk with a friend than pandering (or therapy). The lessons are long enough to be engaging, but short enough to leave the reader wanting to know more. In between giggle fits, I looked people up. I've also told my child (a recent high school graduate) that he's going to read this book. In the days that I've owned the book, I've finished the print version once and the audiobook twice. It's a pick-me-up in these uncertain times, and on more than one instance an inspiration to get out and DO something. If there was ever a testament to the general weirdness of humankind, the eternal fortitude of womankind, or the lengths to which people will go for sex and love, it's this book.