Props: A History of Power in 7 Lessons

by Norm Coady

Advance Praise for Props "Norm Coady writes history for people who take history so seriously, they read it for fun."
-Tamim Ansary, author of The Invention of Yesterday

Learn how seashells led to the first global conflict. Discover how a piece of chalk laid the groundwork for totalitarianism. Follow an umbrella’s strange journey from sunny Munich to rainy Dallas. A combination of humor and history, Props goes deep into the whys of history and the hows of power. As a bonus, Coady tells stories from the classroom, including the time a hot coffee was smacked out of his hand and he had to scramble to keep his job.


Depart from the doom-scrolling and go deep. Norm Coady takes well-known historical events, turns them upside down, and shakes out new revelations. Equal parts illuminating and hilarious, Props is "Fun as well as informative, this is a book that is arresting and thoughtful. Read it." - Jeremy Black, author of The Geographies of War

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2025

Reviews

[Amy G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a delightful adventure, threading together several notable historical events through a series of physical objects that emerged from the social, geographical, or political context of the time to define that moment. The writing style is intriguing and informative, but most of all, entertaining. With dramatic flair, we dive into these stories interlaced with a different one, a tale of Coady’s experience navigating the early years of high school teaching that sheds fresh light on the importance of symbols or props. Whether a history enthusiast or a casual consumer of interesting stories, there is plenty to be found in this book.

[Douglas Purdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun insightful perspective on seven significant historical events and people.

This book is very odd in a good way. Looks at history in a very personal way that drew me in. We walked between the writers person experience and his unique way of deconstructing and reconstructing history to make it contextually understandable, and to give the subject of the people he’s writing about a realism that explores attempts to explain person and his motivations. His use of the props into his exploration of historical figures, makes both the author and the subject accessible in real. Well done!

[Dorea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just Okay for Power and History Fans

This book had a promising concept—tying historical events to lessons about power—but it didn’t quite land for me. The structure was clear, but the content felt a little surface-level and didn’t offer much new insight if you’ve already read a lot in this space. I was hoping for deeper analysis or more engaging storytelling to really connect the dots. It’s not a bad read, just not one that stuck with me. Might work better for someone newer to the topic.

[nikka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging

I enjoyed Props overall and was intrigued by the great writing. Coady’s self-awareness and ability to turn tough moments into life lessons really stood out. The writing is engaging and immersive, but at times it felt a bit uneven. Still, a meaningful and enjoyable read overall.