What I Think Happened: An Underresearched History of the Western World

Description

This debut book by comedian Evany Rosen is really two books: a savvy, no-holds-barred romp through the history of the western world, and a personal 'femmoir' by a self-described 'failed academic' who recasts historiography from a feminist perspective - albeit an underqualified and overconfident one. In these wide-ranging comic essays, Evany Rosen explores numerous historical events and personalities that have had a personal impact on her as she attempts to understand why they've been the object of such fascination, from her unnatural obsession with Napoleon, to her misguided understanding of the Royal Family, to her intrigue over America's dumpiest presidents. Rosen's approach to history is to make it personal, which any good historian will tell you is exactly what not to do; but in doing so, and with whimsy and irreverence, she rescues history from the dusty confines of 'intellectually aggressive' men and makes it fun again.

Evany Rosen: Evany Rosen is a standup comic, actor and writer and a member of the now-defunct Canadian comedy troupe Picnicface. She has appeared at numerous comedy festivals and in films and on television, and as a voiceover actor in animated series such as Mysticons (Nickelodeon), Hotel Transylvania (Disney) and Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs (Cartoon Network). She also earned a bachelor's degree in early modern philosophy which, according to her father, "seems like a real airtight backup plan."

If this blurb has the power to make you do one thing today, may I politely suggest that you get on the stick and read What I Think Happened? --Samantha Bee The wit and charm that made Evany Rosen a favorite in the comedy world has carried over to the literary scene with this delightful new collection of essays. It will make you consider history in a whole new way. --Kliph Nesteroff Evany Rosen's book is wildly disrespectful to me and the history of my great country (America, duh doy). I was reading this book with my flag and it made my flag cry. To paraphrase the great (American) Woody Guthrie: 'This book makes flags cry.' --Paul F. Tompkins Don't get Rosen started on Napoleon. As the comedian readily admits, she will find the most ingenious ways to turn any conversation to the subject of the fascinating little emperor. And it's not only Napoleon, but also much of Western history that Rosen takes on with a devil-may-care jauntiness in this wickedly funny romp. --Booklist