How Did it Really Happen?

by Reader's Digest Association

Find out the true story behind 150 of the world's most enduring myths, strange disappearances, mysterious deaths, nagging controversies and timeless questions. Knowing the facts about mysteries surrounding historic events and famous people will let you decide for yourself what really happened.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Reference, Historical

352 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 2001

About the author

The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. is a global media and direct marketing company based in Chappaqua, New York, best known for its flagship publication founded in 1922, Reader's Digest. The company's headquarters are in New York City, where it moved from Pleasantville, New York.

The company was founded by DeWitt and Lila Wallace in 1922 with the first publication of Reader's Digest magazine, but has grown to include a diverse range of magazines, books, music, DVDs and online content.

Reviews

[C.R. Sedore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is stuffed pack with information of fact behind important life events in history. I for one needed to brush up on history and this is great for a beginners book.

I found the JFK shooting section most interesting to be honest.

I would suggest this to anyone the enjoys history and reading up on mysterious events in the past.

[David Corleto-Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly interesting book by Reader's Digest detailing all of the great mysteries of the world, from the JFK assassination to the Vinland map.

[MKF · Rating 1 out of 5]

A book on historic mysteries padded with conspiracy theories and new age garbage like aliens and Atlantis. The information is the usual stick to the very basic information found in almost all books of this type which is why some have information missing.

[Elizabeth Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at the ways events might have really happened in history vs how they were reported to have happened.

[Desmond Rivet · Rating 1 out of 5]

This just wasn't very good. Typos abound. The information was superficial. Just not that interesting.

[Jason Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a pretty interesting book. A nice combination of good theories and facts. The photos definitely help make the book more visually compelling.

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really rate this book a 2.75. The first half was better written, with more articles that connected with the book's title and promise. Some of the articles in the second half of the book were flat and did not answer any mystery or lingering question. For instance, The Wright Brothers made their first flights at Kitty Hawk after many years of experimentation and engineering. That one read like long encyclopedia entry. Other articles did a good job of either debunking or allowing to remain open historical and scientific mysteries.