There were more riders warning of the British than Paul Revere, and one was a woman. There was a fire that burned far more, and had more deaths, than the Great Chicago Fire, however it happened on the same day and the "big town" fire was the one in the headlines. The Wright Brothers may not have been the first to fly. All these and more are in Lost To Time: Unforgettable Stories That History Forgot, by Martin W. Sandler. The last story, about a tragic training session for D-Day I did know about, thanks to a recent episode of the tv show What History Forgot. Very interesting.

Since I am not a gardener I was surprised to learn that there were gardens in the trenches in WWI! It seems it is therapeutic and restorative to plant something, nurture it, and, possibly, eat it at some point. Defiant Gardens: Making Gardens in Wartime, by Kenneth L. Helphand tells all about the gardens found there as well as those in concentration camps, interment camps, and POW camps. Inspiring and depressing (think being in one of these locations) at the same time.

Londonopolis: a Curious History of London, by Martin Latham is another on my 'London' trail, and what fun it was! From ancient times to present day (2014), fairies, bookstores, and rivers all are featured here. So are well known and lesser known people, and Big Ben (great story!). Be sure to scan the endnotes for each chapter, too, sometimes there was a witty comment there.

Reading Hermit With Dog