A TREASURY OF FOOLISHLY FORGOTTEN AMERICANS Pirates, Skinflints, Patriots, and Other Colorful Characters Stuck in the Footnotes of History

The Americans profiled here—including the creator of Mother's Day, a former FBI chief and his devious friend, and a Quaker threatened with hanging by Puritans—aren't completely forgotten. Listeners may have heard of William Dawes, for example, one of the midnight riders who rode with Paul Revere. What all those profiled have in common is some interesting life stories. Michael Farquhar picked 30 of the most unusual people who've made American history, and Johnny Heller reads their stories with a slightly gravelly voice that grabs listeners. The stories move quickly in Heller's staccato voice, making for entertaining as well as informative listening. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2008]