"A splendid book, full of fascinating, well-told tales . . . a diverse and bafflingly overlooked collection of historical curiosities" (Booklist, starred review).
"The only thing new in the world," said Harry S. Truman, "is the history you don't know." In this fresh and fascinating collection of historical vignettes, National Book Award–winning author Martin W. Sandler restores to memory important events, people, and developments...

Examines the causes and effects of such American disasters as the sinking of the steamboat Sultana in 1871, the Johnstown Flood, the Dust Bowl, the influenza epidemic of 1918-1919, and the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Traces the development of photography in the United States. Illustrated with over 200 photographs.

In 1897, whaling in the Arctic waters off Alaska's coast was as dangerous as it was lucrative. And in that particular year, winter blasted early, bringing storms and ice packs that caught eight American whale ships and three hundred sailors off guard. Their ships locked in ice, with no means of escape, the whalers had limited provisions on board, and little hope of surviving until warmer temperatures arrived many months later. Here is the incredible...

Photographs and text depict various occupations in the United States between the end of the Civil War and the outbreak of World War I.

"In 1903, the Wright brothers made three brief flights, and no one was there to watch them. Six years later, Wilbur Wright traveled to Europe to evangelicize about aviation and raise money for patents--and the world got aviation fever. That summer, a group of champagne companies organized the first ever international air meet in Rheims, France. They knew they could throw a great party and sell a lot of champagne. They didn't know that this single...