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Publishers Weekly
In this collection of historical anecdotes, author Mason illustrates how the smallest details can have far-reaching historical consequences-or at least that seems to be the idea; in execution, there is no commentary, causal connection or even source identification that legitimizes any of Mason's information (he's known as a massive collector of "cuttings and books chronicling the weird and the strange"), so while many stories are funny or remarkable, they're little better than gossip. Despite a repetitive format, Mason writes well, and readers looking for pithy historical trivia to share with friends will be satisfied. Aimed at a U.K. audience, Mason tends toward topics like British royalty and the nuances of cricket, but there's enough conversational ammunition here for a cocktail party on either side of the Atlantic.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.\
Overview
An astonishing book that reveals how our most famous incidents, best loved works of art, and most accepted historical outcomes are simply a twist of fate.
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