The Truth About History : " How New Evidence Is Transforming The Story Of The Past " :

by Russell R. Miller

Hardcover

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World History

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Glenn Walborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The The Truth about History by Reader's Digest includes many new scientific information about various topics of human history. The book starts out with the evolution of man, specically the ways the human body evolved through evolution, mutation, and interbreeding with other hominids. The book then goes on to explain misconceptions with various empires, civilizations, dicoveries, conflicts, and people. I really enjoyed this book, because of the wide range of topics that all have been undiscovered or were falsely thought about.
One of my favorite topics was about the real Captain Bleigh. The popular belief of Captain Bleigh is a misconception. He was not the cruel tyrant who enjoyed harshness and severe discipline. Records show he was one of the most lenient captains in the Royal Navy. Captain Bleigh was forced of the Bounty not because of his cruelness, but because some of the crew led by the first mate wanted to return to the tropical island they had to leave to continue their mission.
The audience of this book would be anyone of gender, being at least sixteen to understand the material in the book. Somne of the subjects in the book are not dicussed in history and science classes until later in high school at least. Other topics include advanced science techniques and procedures that the authors assume the reader already knows something about.

[Michael Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Reader's Digest! Like the earlier "Great Mysteries of the Past", this book delves into thousands of years of history to reveal the truth about events and debunks some previously held myths. I would have wanted to dwell into details, but it would spoil the surprise. Just read it, and you will not be disappointed.

[Michael Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the edition that I have. Another great book from Reader's Digest! Just like the earlier "Great Mysteries of the Past", this book delves into thousands of years of history to reveal the truth about some events and debunks some long-standing myths. I want to discuss more details, but it would spoil the surprise. Just read it, and you will not be disappointed.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting tidbits of history, most of which are new to me. I knew that the Bastille was not an important prison, but I did not realize that it was torn down by the people as part of the Revolution. I did not know the basis of kamikaze pilots or that surfing was a religious ritual. It seems Lucrezia Borgia was a better person than she is painted, but Cleopatra was not as attractive as legend makes out. A real collection of various bits and pieces of interest to a wide swath of folks.

[The_J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knew the high points - Some Fun.

[Pamela Stadden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't be taken back by the title, "Reader's Digest". This is actually a very interesting book.

What did I learn?

1. If a ring on a tree is wide, that means it was a wet year.
2. Trotsky was removed from a lot of Russia photos and textbooks once he fell out of favor with the Russian people.
3. The Russian Revolution was not as revolutionary as first perceived. It was actually reenacted several years later where they took the photos for the history books.

And much more,....

[Nicole Yovanoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. Most of the newly revealed facts I was already familiar with, but what was great was how the people came to the conclusion with new technology. The book was well done as to how archeologist now use technology to help them in their field.

[Barbara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm afraid this was one of Chapman University's required books and it is no better than a long post on History-for-Dummies.com (or another ad-filled junk site.) A haphazard collection of "new evidence" with no citations -- maybe good for your bathroom collection, but that's all.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are short little essays, but it's a quick way to catch up with how current scientific advances have changed how we view history.