The United States of Awesome: Fun, Fascinating and Bizarre Trivia about the Greatest Country in the Universe

by Josh Miller

Overview

Discover the most astounding facts about the United States of America in this fun, funny and fascinating trivia book for teens and adults.

From the Mayflower landing on Plymouth Rock to Apollo 11’ s touchdown on the moon, America has been nothing but the effing coolest country ever. This book is packed with fun facts, curious trivia and wacky revelations about the land of the free, including:

• In the midst of the Civil War, 10,000 Confederate soldiers had a snowball fight—Tar Heels vs. Georgians.
• Washington’s four dogs were named Drunkard, Taster, Tipler and Tipsy.
• Unlike melodramatic Hollywood versions, the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral lasted just 30 seconds.
• The incredibly unlucky son of Abe Lincoln witnessed the assassination deaths of three presidents.
• The U.S. refused to pay a $400 littering fine for dropping the space station on Australia.
• Ford pardoned not only Nixon but also Robert E. Lee 105 years after Lee’s death.
• There is no evidence that Betsy Ross designed the American flag.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612431130
Publisher:	Ulysses Press
Publication date:	12/25/2012
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	4.25(w) x 7.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Josh Miller is a blogger, film critic, screenwriter, and author of A Zombie's History of the United States and The World Reduced to Inforgraphics.

Read an Excerpt

Did you know?

In 1903, Horatio Nelson Jackson became the first person to successfully (and arduously) cross the United States in an automobile. He did so on a whim in order to win a $50 bet.

The Mayflower, which carried the Puritans to Plymouth Rock, was originally a wine-running ship.

John Adams' last words were reportedly, "Thomas Jefferson survives." He was, of course referring to his good friend, the third President of the United States, who, ironically, died just hours later on the same day, July 4, 1826.

Until about 10,000 years ago, American cave lions roamed the Western United States. One of the largest cats to have ever existed, the cave lion weighed in at a terrifying 800 lbs.

One of the most common causes of worker death during construction of the Brooklyn Bridge, was called Caisson Disease, known today as "the bends". Workers contracted the condition while working in submerged caissons in order to secure the bridge's foundation deep under water.

Having survived a bout with cholera and three bullet wounds during the Battle of Anteitam, Major General Sedgwick may have thought himself invincible. Unfortunately, while trying to muster his cowering staff at the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, on May 9, 1864, he found out just how far luck could take a man. Standing above his ducking men the Major General shouted, "What? Men dodging this way for single bullets? What will you do when they open fire along the whole line? I am ashamed of you. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." He then repeated, "I'm ashamed of you, dodging that way. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance. . ." At which point, he was promptly shot through the left eye.

Hugh Glass (1780-1833) was a famed American frontiersman and fur trapper. Traveling through what would become South Dakota in August, 1823, Glass accidentally stumbled upon a grizzly bear mother. What ensued was the most wicked man-on-grizzly fight that e’er there was. The grizzly broke Glass’ leg and ripped a hole in his back, exposing his ribs. Glass, managed to grab his knife and stabbed the grizzly to death.

After his companions left him for dead (taking all his tools and weapons with them), Glass regained consciousness and crawled 200 miles for six weeks to Fort Kiowa.

The Titanis Bird: Fossil remains found in Florida reveal what must have been the most terrifying bird to ever bum around Miami. The titanis bird, or T. walleri, was an 8’2” tall, 300 lb, meat-devouring flightless parrot. Fortunately for modern Floridians, this beast died out a couple million years ago.

In 1877, Rutherford B. Hayes became the first U.S. President to have a telephone installed in the Whitehouse. The complicated phone number that was assigned was: “1”.

William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States, weighed in at nearly 340 lbs by the end of his term in office. Making him America’s most obese leader.

Editorial Reviews

Never Have I Ever|Worm|Miller|97816124099|12.95|Ulysses Press|8/14/12||

From the Publisher