Almost History: Close Calls, Plan B'S, and Twists of Fate in American History

This book takes several key events (lunar landing) or people (John Lennon) in history and gives an unknown fact about what almost happened. Mr. Bruns backs up his writing with documentation which makes it all the more interesting. He also does not get bogged down in consequences if the almost event did happen. For example, he writes about John Lennon and the consideration of deporting him. He provides the documentation to back this up and does not get stuck in the trap of trying to explain what would have happened if John Lennon really had been deported. The assumption is the reader is intellegent enough to thing through many of the consequences of this. He also provides a snapshot of what is happening at this time in history that places this consideration in perspective rather than leaving it as an isolated event. I enjoyed this book a lot.

ALMOST HISTORY is not just a what if book along the lines of exploring an alternative path from a pivotal moment. It is not Marvel comics providing a tale such as What If the Radioactive Spider Bit Aunt May?. Instead, Roger Bruns has collected real documents that provide insight into the thinking of the key players in the event something else than what ultimately occurred happened. For instance, President Nixon had a speech written in case he had to provide solace to a mourning American people upon the failure to return of Apollo XI. General Eisenhower likewise prepared a speech explaining the failure of the D-Day invasion. Tidbits from the archives make for a fascinating look at what was going through the minds of the leaders dealing with possible consequences and other contingencies. Thus, the book is incredibly engaging for more than just the history buff. In point, the student of history might find ALMOST HISTORY a bit short in length in terms of each included entry. Mr. Bruns adds commentary to his eighty plus entries that help bring the genuine documents, thought-processes of the players, and other evidence to life. This book is a great, sort of a paradigm look at America's heritage and hopefully the start of something fascinatingly new.Harriet Klausner

Roger Bruns, Deputy Executive Director for the National Publications and Records Commission at the National Archive, paid special attention when William Safire wrote several years ago about the speech he had prepared for President Nixon to deliver in case the Apollo 11 astronauts, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, had to be left on the Moon. It occurred to Mr. Bruns that the historical archives were chock full of such documents, which open out into vistas of "What If?" The collection he has put together here is fascinating and raises all kinds of questions about how much different history might have been had circumstances been altered slightly, and, as some of the documents reveal, how close we sometimes came to major alterations.Every reader will have their own favorites from this generous selection, here are mine :Safire's Apollo 11 Speech Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace. These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice. These two men are laying down their lives in mankind's most noble goal: the search for truth and understanding. They will be mourned by their families and friends; they will be mourned by their nation; they will be mourned by the people of the world; they will be mourned by a Mother Earth that dared send two of her sons into the unknown. In their exploration, they stirred the people of the world to feel as one; In ancient days, men looked at stars and saw their heroes in the constellations. In modern times, we do much the same, but our heroes are epic men of flesh and blood. Others will follow, and surely find their way home. Man's search will not be denied. But these men were the first, and they will remain the foremost in our hearts. For every human being who looks up at the moon in the nights to come will know that there is some corner of another world that is forever mankind.George Washington's Response to the Newburgh ConspiracyIn Newburgh, New York, on March 15, 1783 George Washington faced down an incipient rebellion among his officers who, disgruntled about lack of back pay and the slow pace of peace negotiations, were considering removing him from power and taking over the country. Washington summoned them and prepared to read a letter responding to the concerns that had been raised in an anonymous letter. in a piece of brilliant stagecraft, the vain General removed a pair of eyeglasses, which most had never seen him wear, and said : "Gentlemen, you will permit me to put on my spectacles, for I have not only grown gray but almost blind in the service of my country." The coup was over. This much of the story is pretty well known, but Bruns reproduces here the letter that Washington proceeded to read and which is almost as affecting as the

I bought this for a friend and decided to keep it myself. I loved learning about history from another perspective. It's a great gift and learning tool. Surprisingly funny, too!

I bought this book for my father, but I kept it for myself (I did buy another copy for him!) I didn't expect it to be so easy to read, fun to relate and memorable (great for looking smart during those moments when you don't know what to say). Everybody is fascinated to hear about how the FBI tried to get John Lennon deported or how President Garfield could have been saved from the bullet if only he hadn't been lying on a mattress with steel springs. Highly recommed as a gift for yourself or another.