History Bytes: 37 People, Places, and Events that Shaped American History

by Nick Vulich

Don’t like history? You’re probably reading the wrong books.

Read this book, and you’re gonna think, wow! Why didn’t somebody tell me that? American history is full of strange paradoxes, and that’s what makes it so interesting.

The truth is much of what we learn about history is a series of little white lies that over time have grown into tall tales.

Why doesn’t everyone know the Boston Massacre wasn’t really a massacre? Subsequent testimony proved the soldiers fired in self-defense. The King Street riot was started by a group of four street thugs who got their rocks off attacking lone British soldiers. Sam Adams and Paul Revere twisted it into a massacre.

And, if you think the Boston Tea Party was a response to British taxes that raised the price of tea in the colonies, think again. The Tea Act of 1773 actually reduced the price of tea paid by the colonists. The people hurt by the Tea Act were the smugglers. The lower price of tea undercut their business, and ensured that the East India Company would have a monopoly on tea.

The South Carolina Nullification Congress of 1832 was a harbinger of things to come. The question was if a state disagrees with a federal law, does it have the right to nullify it, and disregard that law? Vice-president John C. Calhoun argued state’s rights superseded federal laws. President Andrew Jackson believed to his dying day that Calhoun was a damned traitor, and that he should have strung him up from the nearest branch.

The Black Hawk War was a mix-up of frontier madness, mayhem, and murder. Illinois Governor John Reynolds called out the militia and raised thousands of volunteer troops. General Winfield Scott marched his regulars half way across the country to Fort Armstrong at Rock Island. Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Taylor led a group of infantrymen in the fighting. In the end, it was a massacre that nearly wiped out the Sac tribe.

In the fall of 1845 President Polk offered Mexico five million dollars if they would recognize the Southwestern Boundary of Texas at the Rio Grande. When Mexico refused his offer Polk decided to force the issue. He sent General Zachary Taylor and 3,000 troops to Corpus Christi, Texas. In March of 1846 General Taylor moved his forces into the disputed territory between the Rio Grande and Nueces Rivers. Soon after that, Mexico was provoked into a war with the United States.

It has been said that James Buchanan was a “weak, timid, old man” who didn’t do anything to prevent the Southern states from seceding. Some historians have even gone so far as to declare Buchanan was an “accessory after the fact.” He was a president, Southern sympathizer, and traitor. But, was he?

Imagine what it would be like to wake up, flip on the morning news, and discover Bradley Cooper or Ashton Kutcher assassinated President Obama. That’s what happened in 1865. People were shocked when they learned John Wilkes Booth killed President Lincoln. Booth was one of the most popular actors of his day. He was young, just twenty-six years old, considered one of the most attractive men in America. At the time he killed Lincoln, Booth was pulling down $20,000 a year as an actor (that’s roughly $300,000 in 2015 money). And, yet—he sacrificed it all for his political beliefs. What was going on in the mind of John Wilkes Booth?

I could tell you more, but you get the idea. Things aren’t always what they appear to be. There are two sides to every story. All that stuff your teacher told you in school—it may, or may not be true.

Read this book, and decide for yourself which version you should believe.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Reference

166 pages, Paperback

First published June 16, 2015

About the author

Hey there Nick Vulich here.

Ever since I was a kid I had this crazy urge to read and write. There is something about a book that can open up new worlds to you. When I was younger I read every Max Brand and Zane Grey western I could get my hands on. Then, I found Kenneth Roberts and his historical novels – Arundel, Northwest Passage, A Rabble in Arms. The detail he worked into them was mind blowing.

In college I was turned on to Frodo Baggins and the world of the Hobbits. I found Kurt Vonnegut downright inspiring. I still remember sitting in David Morrell’s classroom at the University of Iowa back in the late seventies, listening to his lectures on early American literature.

After graduation, I lost touch with my writing self for over thirty years, until I was brought face-to-face with this new-fangled thing they called Kindle. It reminded me of what I was all about.

In the years since then I have penned over twenty books, most of them with an e-commerce bent – How to sell on eBay, Amazon, and Fiver. I have written innumerable history books, started and given up on over a dozen novels.

The most amazing thing is, I can say whatever I want to say. I can write it today, put it out there for sale tomorrow, and within a day – sometimes two or three, someone else in this world is going to connect with what has been rattling around in my brain. How cool is that!

Indie Authors Toolbox is just that, a collection of gadgets and doodads you can whip out when you need them to spice up your writing; learn a little more about self-publishing; or connect with one troubled brain that is focused on figuring out this thing we call Indie Publishing.

Welcome aboard. Hold on because you are in for one hell of a ride.

Reviews

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of essays about various historic figures, incidents and places that you learned about in school or from the History channel. The author scrapes away all the PR & Propaganda and reveals the reality behind the stories. He also admits when the sources aren't reliable, aka newspaper reports from the 19th century west, or when the accepted history doesn't match the facts.

These are short stories collected into chapters which give you an introduction of what's ahead.

I liked it

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun...nothing new though

I am the wrong audience for this book, admittedly. If all you know of history comes from public school textbooks, then this book likely will teach you things.

Conversational in tone and easy to read. It's a fine book for the right audience.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really appreciate an author who enjoys history as much as Mr. Vulich does. Like an earlier book by him that I read, Shot All to Hell, this book offers interesting short treatments of the 37 people, places, and events that he singled out. There's a bibliography at the end to show sources and serve as a good starting place for additional reading on topics of interest. I want to read more about Guiteau, who assassinated President Garfield. This tragedy is key to the US civil service and the concept of merit promotion. The cons of this book are several typos--really heading a section Jessie James--the name was correct in other references as well as use of apostrophes. I realize this work is a labor of love, but when there are more than one or two grammatical errors, it is distracting to the reader. I do agree with Mr. Vulich's premise, if one doesn't look history, they simply haven't been exposed to the right materials. Our traditional schools (at least until college) squeeze all of the life, strife, and complexity out of what is really interesting events and very human people.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was well-written and the bibliography, with some very old sources, shows that it was well-researched, too. If anything, however, I would have liked some references to the bibliography in the text. The tone, at times, is conversational, so it would be nice to know where some of this information is coming from.

This wasn't a book of little-known events, and for history buffs, there probably isn't much here. There was some interesting tidbits, but nothing that made me say either "I never knew that!" or "That can't be right!" But there was information about from Colonial times, the Revolution, the Civil War, western expansion and outlaws. Why 37 events? No answer, but why not?

(Aside: sure, there were probably things that, had I'd ever learned before, I'd forgotten about, but nothing so incredible to amaze me.)

Interestingly, there was some overlap with Great Train Robberies of the Old West. Nothing here contradicted anything from that one.

You might be able to find a lot of this information online, should you care to look for it. Question is: would you?

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that attempts to clarify some things that happened in American history that are misunderstood by many people along with other things that are important in American history. . Interesting things include:

1. The fact that Columbus did not 'discover' America. There were others here first including Vikings, Phoenicians and St. Brenden and this doesn't count the fact that America had been populated by Native Americans for a long time before him.

2. Jamestown and the 'starving times.'

3. The first black slaves dated to 1619.

4. The Sons of Liberty, the Boston Tea Party, the Whiskey Rebellion, Betsy Ross and Andrew Jackson.

5. The Black Hawk War, the Trail of Tears, the Mexican War, the Civil War and the death of Abraham Lincoln.

6. The importance of marijuana as a cash crop early in American history.

7. Various characters such as Johnny Appleseed and Wild Bill Hickcock.

[Chester Sayler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well researched history. Topics of history are very insting and new information about these events are oresented. If you want detailed historyvthis isvthe book for you. Think Columbus was a hero read this book. The stories of western legends are especially good. I enjoyed this book and am sorry to see it end. The refernces at the end of the book are very helpful.

Very well researched history. The topics are very interesting and information about these events are well presented. Think Columbus was a hero read this book. Good chapters about Western legends. Sorry to see the end of this book .

[moxieBK · Rating 3 out of 5]

History Bytes: People, Places, and Events that Shaped American History [Kindle Unlimited] — Nick Vulich (6 parts - 40 titled chapters) July 1-4, 2020

This is a fun book for history nerds. it was based on the idea that students don’t learn the truth of history in K-12 school. Maybe true, but a lot of these history stories (which I would not call bytes, since some of the stories are long, but I digress,) I already knew about. In fact, all of them I knew about, and my only claim to fame is that I’m a semi-v reader.

Still, a worthy book to read. I got this through Kindle Unlimited, but it may no longer be there.

Three stars.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories were interesting and most were short. I wish there had been a little more organization to the order, they seemed like a random collection. Many on Revolutionary era, then few random ones, then ended with western -- many of them, first as general then chapter after chapter of individual stories. We did learn a few things that we didn't know, but the lack of organization was a little confusing

[Jose Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different view

I liked the tone in which the author started telling the American history. I didn’t like how for almost half of the book the author stays talking about bandits and outlaws. Apart from displaying the violence in those times, I don’t see the relevance to American history on an educational level. If you like Wild Wild West stories, then enjoy.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yawn

I felt like this book was more or less like reading an article online. Each chapter would give an intro, and then it would just become stale writing. There were not any new stories really bing talked about. The writing could have been more polished.

[Sherie Kirkpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

History is cool

I loved this book, it was fun to read & I learned a thing or two. The bytes make it the perfect read before sleep because you can read a story or two and not have to find a stopping place in the middle of a chapter.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

Interesting read. Makes you rethink parts of history and the stories that have been repeatedly taught. It’s a great casual read to take along and read while waiting on an appointment.

[Douglas Reedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book.

The author of this book did very well in researching newspaper articles etc, for accuracy. Many interesting facts and stories to keep the reader amused for hours.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haphazard History would be a better title

Poorly written, badly edited and questionably annotated. This book seems more anecdote prepared for third graders than any serious attempt at history telling.

[N.R. Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read

Fun read about many of the more controversial or misunderstood events in American history. Not much I didn't already know but still enjoyable to read about. The book could use another round of editing though as there were numerous spelling and grammar errors.

[Jerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting accounts of some of the notorious characters primarily from the old west. Includes facts behind Black Bart, Jesse James, Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hitchcock, etc. Interesting facts, but not a lot of utility.

[Will Hoover · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with many truncated, off the cuff, spur of the moment book reviews that litter the Internet these days, History Bytes, by Nick Vulich, tends to either get played up way too high, or summarily trounced out of hand. When writing any review it is never my intention to go to either extreme (sort of how history itself definitely should NOT be written), so despite any and all detractors (or even the folks who've actually opined that this book should be "required reading" in our nation's schools), I think it deserves at least four out of five stars.

Now, is History Bytes, as some have arguably observed, not a "real" history book? Probably not. It's most likely not university thesis material, but then not all "real" history books are as succinct, accessible, and easy to read as this one definitely is, either. So even though the author may not come off as being the preeminent history professor that every kid (young or old) really ought to have in school, it's not like he hasn't accomplished something better than average with this particular book about "historical bytes."

Yes, the writing could have been more highly polished, or could have simply been more fleshed out. And sure, there are a few of the usual eBook style typos and all that jazz that really is easy enough to overlook, but I still found reading History Bytes to be an intensely interesting, and even fun experience.

What Mr. Vulich does best here, is to take a considerable collection of somewhat disparate, though certainly important events in the history of the United States, and put them into an almost Reader's Digest type of format. This may of course not be the most scholarly or purely academic approach to ever come down the literary pike, mind you, but it is certainly effective in a number of ways.

One of the strong points of the book is just how effortlessly the author is able to guide the reader through a rapid fire succession of key historical moments in American history. The thing that really does bite, however, is that some of the most important stuff gets either glossed over, or ends up feeling decidedly incomplete. That's good and bad though, of course. It's good because all those juicy tidbits and factoids that the author tosses up into the literary ether actually serve to whet ones appetite to go out and read a more in-depth, "real" history book! And what's wrong with that, right?

The downside is that Mr. Vulich's habit of throwing factoids and quotes about all willy-nilly, sort of belies the fact that there's always more to it than THAT when it comes to history! Yet, that said, surely, one must also concede that the author isn't necessarily inaccurate about any of the information he seems to so nonchalantly run rough shod over. For example; yes, the way America expanded during the 18th and 19th century wasn't always pretty or even particularly just, but the lack of detail, or even a particularly rigorous or scholarly methodology that would have more effectively presented a more multifaceted view of the events covered, is quite noticeably lacking.

What's more, Mr. Vulich really doesn't seem to attempt to distance himself all that much from the material. In fact, in many cases, he doesn't make any bones about how he personally views the various historical figures and significant events included in the book. He's more cheeky than anything though, and although he doesn't necessarily pronounce judgement per say, he isn't entirely nonobjective either. Most readers will surely be gratified by his take on most events though, given that many of his views really don't seem to differ all that much from how most modern, mainstream, politically correct thinkers view certain aspects of American history.

History Bytes is still a pretty darn interesting book, however. For me, the beginning and the end were the most enthralling. No, Vulich's writing style definitely isn't Shakespeare (much less Stephen E. Ambrose), but when profiling many of the famous Western outlaws, for example, his prose is often delightfully right on target, as well as refreshingly frank and to the point. So much so, that I found myself highlighting the heck out of the book, just to hopefully remember all those deliciously fact filled sentences and paragraphs!

Lastly, even though I really do recommend this book, I most certainly wouldn't think of it as gospel in any way, shape, or form. But that's exactly why I've still got to hand it to Nick Vulich. Instead of trying to write witty little factoids about his own presumably interesting history in the "About the Author section" at the end of the book, he instead, quite frankly and admirably admits that, "there are at least two sides to every story. Some readers are going to disagree with my choices, and that’s the way it should be. History is fluid, and we reinterpret the facts from generation to generation. Just remember, there are two sides to every story, and what you choose to believe depends upon your perspective." How very true, and exceptionally well put! And, I really must concede, I could have hardly said it better myself.

[Phillip Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting content, not the best writing

Content was interesting, but it's not the best writing. Lots of grammar and convention errors. Still would read it in a pinch.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good to know the details

Enjoyed reading about "the rest of the story" about the individuals who occupied a place in history. Great interesting details of their lives.

[Steven Darrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellence on history

I truly enjoyed this book on short blurbs of history. Anyone interested in the people of United States would be interested in reading.

[Kelly Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

These small snippets are easy to read and enjoyable. Had it been in hard copy rather than Kindle, it should be kept next to my Uncle John's bathroom reader.

[J.D. Schechter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

A folksy, random collection of little known factoids from American history. Entertaining enough, although the author does confuse the real 'old west' with Hollywood

[Merry Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative.

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

A look at some of America's heroes and events that may not have been what everyone has thought.

[Kendra Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

American Outlaws had no Imagination

Not a bad history of bad guys. Seems American outlaws had very little imagination so this book became more boring as it went along.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever asked yourself questions about who records the history of an event?
Such as, was the person present to give a firsthand account?
Were the details of the event orally handed down until it was put into print?
How do you decide what's accurate when you read conflicting accounts of the same event?

Author of "History Bytes," Nick Vulich, has written a meticulously documented and thought provoking book on thirty-seven slices of American history.

Especially interesting was the chapter entitled, "Andrew Jackson versus the South Carolina Nullifiers." The history books during my school years either barely glossed over that event or it most likely wasn't even mentioned.
I am going to add a direct quote from that chapter which profoundly impressed me.
"Many historians contend Andrew Jackson's response to the nullifiers was too mild. Had he followed his initial reaction to march United States troops to South Carolina, put down the rebellion, and hang John C. Calhoun as a traitor, there may never have been a Civil War."
Whether you agree or not, it's an impressive thought.

Even if you aren't interested in history, Mr. Vulich's "History Bytes" will garner your full attention. It's akin to finding an authentic diary of those times written by the actual participants.

Nick Vulich's book should be placed in every school's library and be required reading. I hope to see more books like this one from him in the future.

As required I am stating that I won this book from Goodreads.
I usually don't write such long reviews but this book was truly impressive.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was kind of a hot mess for me. There wasn't actually a lot of new stuff but it could be a short little history primer for some people.

Each section had a sort of introductory chapter. The chapter had a paragraph for each of the chapters that would follow in the section. However, there wasn't really any transition between the paragraphs so it kind of read as a disjointed list and I always felt confused as to how he put it all together.

The individual chapters were short and had some decent (if not necessarily new or unknown) information. But like I said I just didn't quite get the flow of the chapters so the book overall was just a bit of a disjointed mess. It was kind of like 37 stories with a weak attempt to sort of force them into a narrative. I wish it was written more as anthology combining 37 tails. I think it would have been much less confusing without the random ineffective section groupings.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting narrative of some well known and little known historical events and individuals

Many of the stories provided are relatively well known but some of the elements or actual facts are not. There is a bibliography provided for further information. Some of the stories are more obscure or their details unknown or wrong. Vulich attempts to correct or supplement what we have been taught or accepted as fact. For anyone who is interested in history, it is an enjoyable read.

[Nira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read

There really wasn't anything new here, but being a history buff I've already read a lot about the real history of our country.
I liked the style of writing though and would recommend it to others.

[Terry Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining

Well paced, easy to read, and often humorous. You should enjoy the stories - but be careful - a number of these 'facts' are debatable. To be fair, the author does point this out. Relax and have a good read.