Synopses & Reviews
Award-winning author Paul Aron takes readers on a journey through great historical mysteries through the ages. Entertaining in themselves, the stories also show that history is not merely living, but lively. The reader who comes to the book thinking history is boring will leave with a changed outlook with regard to both the subject matter and the process of writing history.
Each chapter is a carefully and thoroughly researched presentation not of popularized accounts but of valid historical scholarship. Chronologically arranged, the essays show the historical process in action. For each disputed historical point, theories arise, become standard wisdom, and then are revised as additional information becomes available. This book reveals the mechanics of that process, including spirited debate, swashbuckling archaeology, and the application of modern science to ancient questions.
Review
"This work is recommended as a nonreference resource for high schools, colleges, and public libraries." - American Reference Books Annual
Review
"Mysteries in History from Prehistory to the Present… is a nifty compilation of puzzles that just might jog jaded undergraduates into an appreciation for the complexities of the past. Aron summarizes the controversial aspects of 75 historical questions—such as when people first arrived in America, who King Arthur was, where Columbus landed, how Davy Crockett died, whether Hitler murdered his niece, why Rudolf Hess flew to Scotland, and what Reagan knew about Iran-Contra—and offers some annotated suggestions for further reading." - Association of College and Research Libraries
Review
· 75 chronologically arranged chapters, each treating a famous historical mystery
· Numerous illustrations and photographs that bring the subjects to life
· An annotated list of further reading for each chapter, arranged chronologically to allow readers to follow the development of competing theories
· An engaging, accessible writing style that brings readers into the twists and turns of each case
"This work is recommended as a nonreference resource for high schools, colleges, and public libraries."American Reference Books Annual
"This is more than a history text, however: it demonstrates how professional historians do detective work to resolve such mysteries even centuries later and provides reference keys to such investigations to encourage student investigation. An excellent key for teaching research tools."California Bookwatch
"Mysteries in History from Prehistory to the Present... is a nifty compilation of puzzles that just might jog jaded undergraduates into an appreciation for the complexities of the past. Aron summarizes the controversial aspects of 75 historical questionssuch as when people first arrived in America, who King Arthur was, where Columbus landed, how Davy Crockett died, whether Hitler murdered his niece, why Rudolf Hess flew to Scotland, and what Reagan knew about Iran-Contraand offers some annotated suggestions for further reading."Association of College and Research Libraries
Review
"This is more than a history text, however: it demonstrates how professional historians do detective work to resolve such mysteries even centuries later and provides reference keys to such investigations to encourage student investigation. An excellent key for teaching research tools." - California Bookwatch
Synopsis
• Real history based on solid scholarship; not popular Loch Ness monster/UFO mysteries
• An engaging style that draws in readers from high school up
• A valuable teaching resource for exploring historical method and how it has changed with advances in information resources and technology
• The latest research on the most controversial historical debates of all time
Synopsis
This work is an engaging exploration of the process of historical research, following historians as they search for solutions to the greatest mysteries of all time.
Award-winning author Paul Aron takes readers on a journey through great historical mysteries through the ages. Entertaining in themselves, the stories also show that history is not merely living, but lively. The reader who comes to the book thinking history is boring will leave with a changed outlook with regard to both the subject matter and the process of writing history.
Each chapter is a carefully and thoroughly researched presentation not of popularized accounts but of valid historical scholarship. Chronologically arranged, the essays show the historical process in action. For each disputed historical point, theories arise, become standard wisdom, and then are revised as additional information becomes available. This book reveals the mechanics of that process, including spirited debate, swashbuckling archaeology, and the application of modern science to ancient questions.
Synopsis
• 75 chronologically arranged chapters, each treating a famous historical mystery
• Numerous illustrations and photographs that bring the subjects to life
• An annotated list of further reading for each chapter, arranged chronologically to allow readers to follow the development of competing theories
• An engaging, accessible writing style that brings readers into the twists and turns of each case
Synopsis
This work is an engaging exploration of the process of historical research, following historians as they search for solutions to the greatest mysteries of all time.
Synopsis
Most people see historians as denizens of dusty stacks of documents, producing dry prose. This book shows that historians are closer to Sherlock Holmes and Indiana Jones. Examples from ancient times to modern, from Neanderthals and Noah's Ark to Amelia Earhart and JFK, show how historians work out disputes and solve mysteries.