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Scandalous!: 50 Shocking Events You Should Know About
Do you love a good scandal? This book includes 50 juicy pop culture, political, and entertainment-related scandals complete with photos, event synopses, and a look at why it went down in history and how it continues to influence us today. Other features include famous quotes and a section on where the players are now. Teens will get the dish on:
Milli Vanilli’s lip-syncing
the Clinton-Lewinsky affair
the Biggie and Tupac murders
the Kent State shooting
the OJ Simpson Murder trial
Patty Hearst’s kidnapping
And more!
Milli Vanilli’s lip-syncing
the Clinton-Lewinsky affair
the Biggie and Tupac murders
the Kent State shooting
the OJ Simpson Murder trial
Patty Hearst’s kidnapping
And more!
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Hallie Fryd
6 books13 followersHallie Fryd is a writer living in Oakland, California. She studied history and design at Carnegie Mellon University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 9, 2012
I borrowed this book from the library on a whim - I had read about it online somewhere. I wasn't expecting to learn so much from it! This book is about all the scandals of the past century that have helped define our society. Each incident is discussed in about a page and a half. Then there is an explanation as to why we still care, what other scandals are similar, and a brief "where are they now".
I was impressed how much information was given in such a small amount of space. I admit that I was disappointed when it ended - I wanted more! I hope Scandalous 2 is in the works....
I was impressed how much information was given in such a small amount of space. I admit that I was disappointed when it ended - I wanted more! I hope Scandalous 2 is in the works....
August 31, 2021
I first read Scandalous a few years ago and I remembered it fondly. I was really interested to see whether or not the book held up, and I was interested in brushing up on some of the stories featured. While it is still a decent and informative read that I did have fun with, there are problems with the book that I either missed at the time or are only problems because of the passage of time. Basically, I'd like to make an argument for the publication of a new edition.
It had been out a few years by the time I had originally read it, but it had dated well enough that I didn't find that notable. Well, it's officially been almost a decade since this book was published and the dating of the book is notable. Each chapter has a section that notes why these scandals are still impactful today, and I originally felt like this was one of the strongest elements of the book. It's a great way to tie the past to the present and to remind us of the impact that history has on the present day. Honestly though, the passage of time has not been kind to this section. Four years ago this was something that wasn't unexpected, as you don't expect a book about history to have its fingers on the pulse of current events and modern scandals unless it's a brand new book, so it wasn't a big deal. With a few extra years passing though, these comparisons do not feel like they're offering a current comparison. Black Lives Matter, Me Too, and the entirety of the Donald Trump presidency really shift how an author would actually tie many of these historical events to the present. Plus, as this is YA, I feel like it should also be considered that nine years since publication is an age when it comes to teen lit. If a teen reader were to pick this up today, they would probably only loosely recall the world of 2012, and these comparisons would fall flat. This isn't the fault of the book or the author, it's in the nature of books like this to become dated, but it did make for a bit of a frustrating re-read experience.
I don't remember taking issue with any of the actual content originally, so this is maybe a bit about how I have changed as a person and how society has shifted in different ways in the last decade. The thing that really leapt out at me was that a lot of these stories had really graphic details. I'm super in favour of giving teens access to unfiltered history, stories that will interest them, etc, and while I'm not saying these details should be cut (although I definitely think some of the details need to be re-examined), but a content warning would have been nice for some of these stories (for example, I did not remember that the details provided in the Roman Polanski chapter are GRAPHIC and new readers would not know this going into it and a heads up about the level of detail included for crimes that heinous would have been nice). Even just a clearly marked page to show us a list of content warnings for the whole book would have made for a smoother reading experience. Additionally, I have some major questions about how race was dealt with throughout this book (including stills from recordings of police brutality, a little bit "both sides" in a couple of areas that didn't need that energy, and a bit too much "we are very shocked at how powerful white men abused enslaved Black women" when this is not remotely shocking), but most of these issues could honestly have been fixed with more awareness on the part of the author/editor/publisher, the hiring of sensitivity readers, etc.
Honestly, I think we deserve a second edition that includes 75 events instead of 50 to include ones that were missed and to have the covered time period extend a decade (stopping in 2010 instead of 2000), the chance to work through some of the cringier white people issues, the chance to include updated information where available, the chance to update the why we still care section to reflect current events, and a content warnings guide. I would genuinely be delighted to read that kind of update, especially since I think the book is still fun and informative. I would be more reluctant to recommend it now than I was when I originally read it for sure.
************
2017 review, originally given 4 stars:
Scandalous! details fifty of America's biggest scandals of the 20th century in a straightforward, broken down style that makes it an absolute pleasure to read. Interesting from beginning to end.
While there were a few issues with the editing, the book is really good overall. It details fifty scandals between 1906 and 2000 that impacted America and the world at large, and it does so in a way that is fun and easy to understand, making it suitable for teenagers and older. It details some scandals that older generations might be more familiar with, while younger generations have only heard them in passing (OJ Simpson, Watergate, etc), but it also deals with scandals that were far enough back that the average person of any age might not know or remember them (Charlie Chaplin as a womaniser, famous early 20th century murders, etc). It ranges from crime to pop culture to sports to politics, and it does so with ease.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to brush up on their 20th century history in an interesting way, especially those in their teens or twenties.
It had been out a few years by the time I had originally read it, but it had dated well enough that I didn't find that notable. Well, it's officially been almost a decade since this book was published and the dating of the book is notable. Each chapter has a section that notes why these scandals are still impactful today, and I originally felt like this was one of the strongest elements of the book. It's a great way to tie the past to the present and to remind us of the impact that history has on the present day. Honestly though, the passage of time has not been kind to this section. Four years ago this was something that wasn't unexpected, as you don't expect a book about history to have its fingers on the pulse of current events and modern scandals unless it's a brand new book, so it wasn't a big deal. With a few extra years passing though, these comparisons do not feel like they're offering a current comparison. Black Lives Matter, Me Too, and the entirety of the Donald Trump presidency really shift how an author would actually tie many of these historical events to the present. Plus, as this is YA, I feel like it should also be considered that nine years since publication is an age when it comes to teen lit. If a teen reader were to pick this up today, they would probably only loosely recall the world of 2012, and these comparisons would fall flat. This isn't the fault of the book or the author, it's in the nature of books like this to become dated, but it did make for a bit of a frustrating re-read experience.
I don't remember taking issue with any of the actual content originally, so this is maybe a bit about how I have changed as a person and how society has shifted in different ways in the last decade. The thing that really leapt out at me was that a lot of these stories had really graphic details. I'm super in favour of giving teens access to unfiltered history, stories that will interest them, etc, and while I'm not saying these details should be cut (although I definitely think some of the details need to be re-examined), but a content warning would have been nice for some of these stories (for example, I did not remember that the details provided in the Roman Polanski chapter are GRAPHIC and new readers would not know this going into it and a heads up about the level of detail included for crimes that heinous would have been nice). Even just a clearly marked page to show us a list of content warnings for the whole book would have made for a smoother reading experience. Additionally, I have some major questions about how race was dealt with throughout this book (including stills from recordings of police brutality, a little bit "both sides" in a couple of areas that didn't need that energy, and a bit too much "we are very shocked at how powerful white men abused enslaved Black women" when this is not remotely shocking), but most of these issues could honestly have been fixed with more awareness on the part of the author/editor/publisher, the hiring of sensitivity readers, etc.
Honestly, I think we deserve a second edition that includes 75 events instead of 50 to include ones that were missed and to have the covered time period extend a decade (stopping in 2010 instead of 2000), the chance to work through some of the cringier white people issues, the chance to include updated information where available, the chance to update the why we still care section to reflect current events, and a content warnings guide. I would genuinely be delighted to read that kind of update, especially since I think the book is still fun and informative. I would be more reluctant to recommend it now than I was when I originally read it for sure.
************
2017 review, originally given 4 stars:
Scandalous! details fifty of America's biggest scandals of the 20th century in a straightforward, broken down style that makes it an absolute pleasure to read. Interesting from beginning to end.
While there were a few issues with the editing, the book is really good overall. It details fifty scandals between 1906 and 2000 that impacted America and the world at large, and it does so in a way that is fun and easy to understand, making it suitable for teenagers and older. It details some scandals that older generations might be more familiar with, while younger generations have only heard them in passing (OJ Simpson, Watergate, etc), but it also deals with scandals that were far enough back that the average person of any age might not know or remember them (Charlie Chaplin as a womaniser, famous early 20th century murders, etc). It ranges from crime to pop culture to sports to politics, and it does so with ease.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to brush up on their 20th century history in an interesting way, especially those in their teens or twenties.
October 9, 2022
This book is fascinating, and it offers lots of information! You will learn history in a fun way, which was the author's goal!
November 18, 2021
3.5 stars. As someone who used to use Barnes and Noble gift cards on history reference books as a kid, this definitely took me back (I didn't see that this was in the Teen part of Hoopla until I finished the book, but the language made it clear). I definitely think this book had a good collection of scandals (And related scandals) for kids (Or pop culture/history oblivious adults) to learn about. There were the We Didn't Start the Fire level scandals, to obscurer things I didn't know about until this book (The Gloria Vanderbilt and Lana Turner chapters, as well as the Elian Gonzalez case).
I agree with other reviewers that the book could have been longer/ pick a tone and stick with it. I also agree that the tone could have been more sensitive for the chapters about assault and race, but this book is a decade old at this point, so I am a little more understanding of that.
Lastly, I would swap out the Madonna and Thomas Jefferson entries, if only because the Madonna one could have been replaced by something more scandal-y (The original entry feels like a blurb), and the Thomas Jefferson, while scandalous, strayed away from the current events/ celebrity based scandals the rest of the book had at that point.
I agree with other reviewers that the book could have been longer/ pick a tone and stick with it. I also agree that the tone could have been more sensitive for the chapters about assault and race, but this book is a decade old at this point, so I am a little more understanding of that.
Lastly, I would swap out the Madonna and Thomas Jefferson entries, if only because the Madonna one could have been replaced by something more scandal-y (The original entry feels like a blurb), and the Thomas Jefferson, while scandalous, strayed away from the current events/ celebrity based scandals the rest of the book had at that point.
June 19, 2012
Books like this are the epitome of quick picks for me. When I have purchased titles in the past that have made the list, it is books like this one that the typical non-readers will grab because they can pick it up when they need something fast and if they have to read for 20 minutes they may actually learn something as well. The title and cover are great and really eye-catching with headlines that most teens will have heard of, although some of the scandal is before their time. This is a yes vote for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2013
A great choice for reluctant readers who prefer nonfiction. This book chroincles 50 events in recent history that rocked headlines. Each event is discussed in 3 - 4 pages with a summary of what happened, what the ultimate outcome was, and a list of similar stories. Some were things I had never heard of and some were things I remember happening in my lifetime (think OJ Simpson and Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harting). A personable and often humorous narrative voice makes it even better. Lots of information packed into a short book excellent for teens and adults.
March 8, 2012
hallie fryd summarizes 50 of the most intriguing events of the 20th century in an easy-to-read way, with interesting quotes and updates on what happened to the key players after the fact. topics covered include politics, celebrities, true crime, etc. it was fun to read recaps of a lot of things that horrified me as a child (tonya harding, oj simpson, among other.)
addictive & entertaining. i was sorry when i got to the end of this.
addictive & entertaining. i was sorry when i got to the end of this.
December 13, 2012
An entertaining book on scandals that have impacted American society and culture, from the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby to the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. I liked how the format is teen-friendly, with separate boxes to recap the scandal, identify the key people involved, and more. I did not like that it was poorly edited, if at all (some sentences just didn't make sense). This makes for a great read if you can overlook its grammatical flaws.
September 10, 2012
Everyone loves a good scandal and this one doesn't disappoint. This compact book highlights 50 of the most scandalous scandals throughout the 20th century. Along with enough info to have a conversation about said scandal, there's a look at why the scandal was so infamous and how it still may influence us today. The geek in me appreciated the crossreferences to scandals with similar themes that proved once again that history does indeed reapeat itself.
July 5, 2012
Really enjoyed this collection of scandals from 1906 - 2000. Teens probably won’t read the entire book straight through (as I did) but may well enjoy the short chapters broken up into sections like "What Went Down", "The Aftermath", and "Why We Still Care". I even learned some brand new facts; for example, did you know that subway vigilante Bernhard Goetz rescues injured squirrels and builds squirrel homes in the city’s parks??
July 19, 2013
I will be recommended this book to teens who are looking for a nonfiction read for a long time to come. The content is fabulous, interesting and eye opening. The magazine-like format makes it a very approachable read for young adults. The events covered are all interesting in their own way. I especially liked the part in each story "Why We Still Care" which explains how the scandal is still impacting our lives.
August 31, 2021
Great premise. Written (I hope) for a YA audience and it definitely a primer on American scandals, media and image management, and more.
Three stars because it’s definitely published before the Black Lives Matter and MeToo movements that have helped us understand power imbalance particularly in regard to sexual harassment and assault.
Good read. Daughter and I read together and both learned a lot.
Three stars because it’s definitely published before the Black Lives Matter and MeToo movements that have helped us understand power imbalance particularly in regard to sexual harassment and assault.
Good read. Daughter and I read together and both learned a lot.
July 29, 2012
From murders to White House cover-ups, this book dishes about the most shocking headlines from the 20th Century. With four pages devoted to each event, you won’t get bored reading the same old stuff. Vitally interesting and informative, this is a great choice for even those who don’t usually read nonfiction! (Grades 8 & up)
Reviewed by Teen Librarian Sara H.
Reviewed by Teen Librarian Sara H.
September 19, 2012
After I began reading this book, I realized that it was for young adults, but it doesn't matter. There's some interesting stuff to be found for anyone interested in juicy secrets and scandals. I like the way it's got separate sections for why the scandals mattered, who the main players were, and how things ended. I can see reluctant readers enjoying this. There's a lot to learn.
October 4, 2012
This book had an excellent format. It gave just the right amount of information and presented it in a very easy to read format. Quite a few of these stories I knew something about, but most of the Aftermath was new to me, and I loved reading that part.
Great book to read if you only have time to read a little bit at a time, as each 'Event' only took between 5 and 10 minutes to read.
Great book to read if you only have time to read a little bit at a time, as each 'Event' only took between 5 and 10 minutes to read.
October 11, 2017
The word "pissed" was used way too much and it pissed me off. I also wasn't too happy about the fact that all the book research was done on the Internet. Other than that, it was fascinating to read about all these events that happened before I was born. Very interesting read.
November 2, 2016
Great book for pop culture and useless knowledge.
September 22, 2012
Very interesting learning the scoop, facts & effects behind many popular scandals. I love the easy layout.
July 14, 2012
This was fun and light. Like reading 100 years worth of news and tabloid news.
August 4, 2012
Good little reference to thumb through. I will credit this book to a reference I made pertaining to Jerry Lee Lewis. Hooray.
October 4, 2012
I thought this was an excellent non-fiction book for terns.
September 29, 2012
"This is a fun, interesting book. Even if you remember most of the scandals, it is a nice refresher. It also has little side facts that are interesting."
Melissa/Cedar Lake
Melissa/Cedar Lake
March 27, 2013
Great YA nonfiction book for finding out the scoop and repercussions of the biggest, juiciest stories and events in America starting in 1906 through 2000 with reasons for, "Why We Still Care."
September 21, 2013
Guilty Pleasure... (Review coming soon)
December 19, 2013
"The Skim" version of historic news events--informative and interesting.
October 10, 2018
Really neat primer on 20th century scandals! Stuff I'd heard about but never really knew the details.
July 22, 2020
I enjoyed this book, to a point. I learned a few things, a lot I already knew, especially the modern day stuff. BUT, the biggest turn off for me was the spelling errors! Seriously, who doesn't have spellcheck today? I can usually brush off one or even two, but the closer to the end of the book I got the more errors I was seeing. It was incredibly frustrating. One of the worst I saw was in a sidebar: Named a person, then in the first sentence named the person again--two DIFFERENT spellings of the last name in the space of five words! I don't know how these slipped past an editor or proofreader let alone spellcheck. Also, this is one of those books that ends very abruptly, just done. No afterword or final chapter to wrap things up, just ended.
February 18, 2024
The scandals mentioned in this book are still as fresh as they were when happened in the 20th century. You can see numerous TV shows on them: Ponzi scheme, Fatty Arbuckle, Orson Welles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Watergate, Polanski, Milli Vanilli, Rodney King, Waco, OJ Simpson, Madonna, Bill Clinton. Why are we still aware about them? What is the aftermath? The book gives excellent answers and has good photo material inside. Love to re-read about all those famous scandals. Highly recommended!
February 5, 2024
This book covered a lot of really interesting points of history from the past hundred years, and I enjoyed it. My one complaint is that some of the descriptions didn’t age so well, and the book feels really dated, even though it only came out in the early 2010s.
October 1, 2025
Short and well-organized
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews