Putnam, Spring/Summer 2012 - Bookseller Services - Penguin ...

THE NOT-SO-NUDE
RIDE OF LADY
GODIVA
& Other morsels of misinformation from the
History Books
DaViD haVilanD
The bestselling coauthor of Why Dogs
Eat Poop & Other Useless or Gross
Information About the Animal Kingdom
exposes history’s greatest tall tales,
half-truths, and legends.
It is said that history is written by the winners. However,
“winners” don’t always make the best historians. Enter
David Haviland—historian, journalist, and writer—to set
the record straight. In his quirky, inimitable style, Haviland
separates fact from fi ction regarding some of history’s most
well-known people and events, such as:
u Lady Godiva—By far, history’s most famous nudist
equestrian. But how nude was she, really? And how did
this same legend give rise to the term “Peeping Tom”?
u The Boston Tea Party—What was the cause of this
famous “party” that wasn’t really a party? (Hint: If you
guessed a rise in taxes, you’re dead wrong!)
u World War I—Did a directionally challenged chauffeur
spark the war to end all wars?
u The World’s Best Golf Score—This record-breaking,
18-hole round of golf was completed by North Korea’s
Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-il, in an unheard of thirty-four
strokes! And it was his fi rst time ever playing the game!
(Equally amazing is the fact that this, among other bits of
extreme propaganda, are perpetuated in his country.)
In this intriguing new book, Haviland illuminates the
murkiest corners from every era of history—from the Trojan
Horse (not very “Trojan” at all, as it was built by and fi lled
with Greeks!) to Queen Victoria (who perhaps wasn’t such a
prude, considering her nude modeling career). The result is a
wholly fascinating, highly educational compendium of historic
strangeness that will enlighten and entertain readers both
young and old.
DavID havIlaND is a journalist, writer, and historian
who has long had a love of quirky trivia and anecdotes. Coauthor
of Why Dogs Eat Poop & Other Useless or Gross Information About
the Animal Kingdom and author of Why You Should Store Your Farts
in a Jar & Other Oddball or Gross Maladies, Affl ictions, Remedies, and
“Cures,” he lives in London.
June
Trade Paper
ISBN 978-1-58542-939-4
$14.95/$16.00 CAN
Trivia/History
4 ½" x 8"
304 pages
u national print and online publicity
u national radio giveaway promotion
u Trade and online advertising
u extensive online outreach
u Tarcher Talks video
u mailing to gift stores
u www.davidhaviland.wordpress.com
Export rights: E
First Serial, Audio: Jeremy P. Tarcher
Other: Andrew Lownie
Andrew Lownie Literary Agency Ltd.
36 Great Smith Street
London Sw1P 3Bu
united Kingdom
Previous titles:
Why You Should Store Your Farts in a Jar &
Other Oddball or Gross Maladies, Affl ictions,
Remedies, and “Cures”
iSBN 978-1-58542-857-1 (paperback)
Why Dogs Eat Poop & Other Useless or Gross
Information About the Animal Kingdom
iSBN 978-1-58542-799-4 (paperback)
67
JUNE
TarCher/Penguin