Stupid History
13 primary works
Book 1
All the crimes are true, but names have been altered or eliminated.
Book 2
Why exactly is Paul Revere revered? Was the lightbulb really Thomas Edison's bright idea? If it would shock you to learn that Benjamin Franklin didn't discover electricity, you'll appreciate this take on hundreds of historical legends and debacles. Historians and humorists alike may be surprised to learn that: * Samuel Prescott made the famous horseback ride into Concord, not Paul Revere. * As a member of Parliament, Isaac Newton spoke only once. He asked for an open window. * On April 24, 1898, Spain declared war on the U.S., thus starting the Spanish-American War. The U.S. declared war the very next day, but not wanting to be outdone, had the date on the declaration changed from April 25 to April 21. With these and many other stories, leading humorist Leland Gregory once again highlights both the strange and the funny side of humankind.
Book 3
From Columbus to George W. Bush, Leland leads us through American history's mythconceptions, exposing idiocy and inanity along the time line. He reeducates by informing us about myths. For example, Samuel Prescott actually was the guy to alert the US soldiers that the British were coming and not that Paul Revere dude. Move over Colbert and Stewart; satire has finally found its rightful place in American history.
Book 4
Bestselling author of Stupid HistoryLeland Gregory turns his nose for nuttiness toward the world of science. The book is filled with anecdotes about scientific stupidity, amazing scientific mythconceptions, and the general wackiness that characterizes Gregory's compilations of misdirected human activity.
Book 5
Best-selling author Leland Gregory-who has so entertainingly highlighted humanity's stupidity in the areas of crime, business, love, politics, cruelty, and history-is back with Stupid California
This time, Gregory builds a case for the common suspicion that Californians, from movie moguls to beach bums, have a special affinity for idiocy. Culled from print, online, and broadcast sources, Stupid Californiais a hilarious collection of true stories, trivia, and factoids about the Golden State, such as:
"California's state animal is the California grizzly bear, which is also on the state flag. The bear was honoured in 1953, a full 31 years after the last known bear in the state was killed."
"During the 1980s, in a bold stroke against terrorism, the Chico City Council banned nuclear weapons, enacting a mandatory $500 fine for anyone detonating a nuclear weapon within city limits."
This time, Gregory builds a case for the common suspicion that Californians, from movie moguls to beach bums, have a special affinity for idiocy. Culled from print, online, and broadcast sources, Stupid Californiais a hilarious collection of true stories, trivia, and factoids about the Golden State, such as:
"California's state animal is the California grizzly bear, which is also on the state flag. The bear was honoured in 1953, a full 31 years after the last known bear in the state was killed."
"During the 1980s, in a bold stroke against terrorism, the Chico City Council banned nuclear weapons, enacting a mandatory $500 fine for anyone detonating a nuclear weapon within city limits."
Book 6
New York Times best-selling author Leland Gregory is definitely messing with Texas in his book Stupid Texas. This time, Leland-who has so entertainingly highlighted humanity's stupidity in the areas of crime, business, love, politics, cruelty, and history-collects evidence to prove the widespread belief that deep in the heart of Texans lies an extraordinary capacity for absurdity. Culled from print, online, and broadcast media, Stupid Texas is an uproarious collection of true stories, trivia, and factoids about the Lone Star State, such as:
"In 1875, James Stephen Hogg, the first native-born Texan to become the state's governor, named his daughter-Ima."
"In 1984, a Texas District Court judge sentenced a 31-year-old Houston man to 35 years in prison-for stealing a 12-ounce, $2 can of Spam."
"In 1875, James Stephen Hogg, the first native-born Texan to become the state's governor, named his daughter-Ima."
"In 1984, a Texas District Court judge sentenced a 31-year-old Houston man to 35 years in prison-for stealing a 12-ounce, $2 can of Spam."
Book 7
Stupid on the Road: Idiots on Planes, Trains, Buses, and Cars,the latest compilation of human stupidity from New York Times best-selling author Leland Gregory, is a riotous collection of the unbelievably bizarre events and behaviour that result when people strap themselves in behind the wheel. This time, Leland-who so entertainingly highlighted humanity's stupidity in the areas of crime, business, love, politics, cruelty, and history-turns his attention to idiots on the road and in the air. For instance, here are actual statements given by insurance policyholders describing their automobile accidents: -A pedestrian hit me and went under my car. -The guy was all over the place. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him. These true stories, from the strange to the outrageous to the just plain dumb, involve the unbelievably wacky misadventures that have occurred as people attempt to get from point A to point B.
Book 8
Silly, shocking, weird, and hilariously funny, the one or two paragraph anecdotes that comprise Gregory's anthologies of human stupidity are culled from print, online, and broadcast media from all over the world.
This collection of stories, trivia, and factoids about the British Isles and their residents confirms the universal suspicion that Britons, from haughty London aristocrats to kilted Scotsmen to the leprechaun-loving Irish to the wily Welsh, are indeed a breed apart in their affinity for idiotic activities and dumb deeds.
For example:
*Colin Braggs was arrested while trying to break into car in Frome, Somerset. Since the windows were misted, Braggs hadn't noticed the two policemen sitting inside the car.
*In Scotland it is illegal to be drunk and in possession of a cow.
* It is still illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament wearing a suit of armour.
This collection of stories, trivia, and factoids about the British Isles and their residents confirms the universal suspicion that Britons, from haughty London aristocrats to kilted Scotsmen to the leprechaun-loving Irish to the wily Welsh, are indeed a breed apart in their affinity for idiotic activities and dumb deeds.
For example:
*Colin Braggs was arrested while trying to break into car in Frome, Somerset. Since the windows were misted, Braggs hadn't noticed the two policemen sitting inside the car.
*In Scotland it is illegal to be drunk and in possession of a cow.
* It is still illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament wearing a suit of armour.
Book 9
From absurd 911 calls to presidential philosophizing to his New York Timesbest-selling Stupid American History, Leland Gregory generates the best laughs by exposing the worst of human nature.
Now, Gregory--sets his sights north to the frozen tundra of Canada to skewer Canadians, in Canaduh: Idiots from the Frozen North. Gregory offers hundreds of accounts of Canadian stupidity at its most random and bizarre, starring French-speaking Quebecois, Yukon fur trappers, and Arctic Circle Eskimos.
Because the stories Leland chronicles are just that unbelievable, each anecdote, quote, or factoid is presented with relevant background information--including its verified news source.
Now, Gregory--sets his sights north to the frozen tundra of Canada to skewer Canadians, in Canaduh: Idiots from the Frozen North. Gregory offers hundreds of accounts of Canadian stupidity at its most random and bizarre, starring French-speaking Quebecois, Yukon fur trappers, and Arctic Circle Eskimos.
Because the stories Leland chronicles are just that unbelievable, each anecdote, quote, or factoid is presented with relevant background information--including its verified news source.
Book 10
From absurd 911 calls to presidential philosophizing and foolish felons, Leland Gregory generates the best laughs by exposing the worst of human nature. Following up his best-selling Stupid History, Gregory sets his sights on the holidays as he exposes mind-numbing mistletoe maladies in Stupid Christmas.
Perhaps it's the spiked eggnog or the multiple family members gathered around crazy-coloured, twinkled lights, but the holidays are rife with idiocy by the daft and the dumb. Inside this latest collection, Gregory offers more than 200 accounts of holiday-induced stupidity.
Perhaps it's the spiked eggnog or the multiple family members gathered around crazy-coloured, twinkled lights, but the holidays are rife with idiocy by the daft and the dumb. Inside this latest collection, Gregory offers more than 200 accounts of holiday-induced stupidity.
Book 12
Book 13
Book 14
New York Timesbest-selling author Leland Gregory is one of Andrews McMeel Publishing's most successful non-cartoon humourists. Silly, shocking, weird, hilariously funny-and outrageously true-the short anecdotes inside his anthologies of human stupidity are culled from print, online, and broadcast media from all over the world. Inside Stupid Ancient History, Gregory chronicles Greek philosophers, Roman conquerors, and historic myth conceptions.