Shocking Secrets of American History is a collection of 115 anecdotes over the course of history from the colonial period to the 20th Century written by Bill Coate. Subtitled as “115 Surprising and Amusing Tales”, this was anything but as nothing was shocking, surprising, or amusing. Besides that, there were incorrect historical information, typos, and at least one incorrect photo. For an author who taught history for sixth and eighth grade as well as college, this isn’t good product. ( )

This is an anecdotal history text that I you could read in your own way at your own leisure, like a book of short stories. They're short, concise, and if you don't like one, the next one might catch your interest. I didn't mind it at all. I do have to say that sometimes the shocking secret that's reserved for the last paragraph of the of the story in most cases is really a hit or miss. Still, there were some anecdotes that I enjoyed. Some I questioned, but more than anything I was happy with the book. A good read. ( )