Brian Thornton’s The Book of Ancient Bastards-101 of the Worst Miscreants and Misdeeds from Ancient Sumer to the Enlightenment

Overview: History has some massive stories from the founding the great library at Alexandria, to the fall of the Roman Empire. But, what are some of the stories of intrigue? That’s the section of history that Mr. Thornton seeks to share with us.

Story Telling: This is an educational book.

Dislikes: My only problem with this book is that I didn’t see some of these guys as jerks. You don’t owe someone just because he spared your life.

Likes: Some of the stories were fascinating. Who knew that Miss Borgia wasn’t as evil as some historians have portrayed her?

Conclusion: This is a good to trick your teenagers into reading about history. Just discuss the individuals with them.

Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost

Overview: Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, has bought Canterville Chase. According to Lord Canterville, the magnificent manor is haunted by one of his ancestors. But, the Otis family doesn’t believe in ghosts. After all, none of America’s traveling oddities troupes have ever had anything of the sort with them. Well, the Ghost will have his work cut out for him with these inhabitants.

Story Telling: This short story is part of the fantasy genre.

Dislikes: It was too short. Why did the fun have to end so soon.

Likes: The whole family had a way about them. Even after the Ghost proved his existence, they held it together.

Favorite Character: It has to be the twins.

Favorite Scene: any of the twins’ pranks on the Ghost. Even Washington got into the spirit…so to speak.

Favorite Quote: This fits perfectly. “Never, in a brilliant and uninterrupted career of three hundred years, had he been so grossly insulted.”

Conclusion: This was a fun story. Pick it up between the more serious pieces on your to be read pile.