Apparently compiled by a collective of researchers, the articles read like a shortened version of Uncle John's Bathroom Reader articles, light of tone and unfortunately fairly light on real details. Each article is more of a dabble than an examination and the writing style is kept purposefully light.

While this book is no general history course, it does cast its eyes on a number of stories not normally told (like Russia's Amber Room), so to anyone with more than a shallow and desultory interest in real history, this collection can pique interest and launch more than a few deeper researches.

Not bad for a starting point but none of the stories told get much beyond after dinner cigar observations. ( )