History Bites - Tapa dura

History is packed with quirky tales and amusing anecdotes, the likes of which you never heard about in history class at school. For instance, did you know that when Roosevelt traveled to Dakota in 1883, he was known as 'four eyes' until he knocked a man unconscious in a bar-room brawl? Or that Empress Elizabeth of Austria was only assassinated because her murderer could not afford to go to Rome to kill his prefered target, the King of Italy? 'History Bites' is an entertaining look at our past, featuring short stories that reveal some of the strangest or funniest moments in history. Over 500 historical accounts reveal unfamiliar facts about some of the most famous figures and events, from classical times to the mid-twentieth century. It is divided by subjects such as 'The Presidents', 'Royalty', 'Common Man', 'Politicians', 'The Arts', 'Great Minds' and 'Greek and Roman Times'. This is a fascinating collection for anyone who is interested in finding out about the more down-to-earth tales of our past - rather than just reading about the well-known events.

Judith Milidge has worked as a freelance writer and editor for several years, specializing in military history. She has edited many books on uniforms and equipment from many eras, and has contributed to several other books on nineteenth- and twentieth-century warfare. She is also the author of several volumes on iconography and popular culture. She is a graduate in history from the University of London.