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Review
“Tony Perrottet’s sinfully entertaining survey of perversion.” (Salon.com )
“It’s refreshing to find such an entertaining writer whose history is also meticulously researched. Perrottet’s take on the past is erudite, original and witty -- even, frequently, hilarious.” (Paul Cartledge, Professor of Classics, Cambridge University )
“A terrifically funny writer; this history-cum-travelogue is as enjoyable as it is informative and twice as quirky.” (Boston Globe on Pagan Holiday )
“An appealing...mix of the zany and the arcane.” (New York Times on Pagan Holiday )
“A whimsical trek through classical history, famous sites and arcane trivia.” (Washington Post on Pagan Holiday )
“Required reading...a charming popular history of ancient Roman sight-seeing.” (Forbes on Pagan Holiday )
“A fascinating and often humorous look at a world long gone and the tourist culture that has grown up around it. Perrottet’s writing sparkles with descriptions of modern and ancient misadventures.” (Library Journal on Pagan Holiday )
“Brimming with humor, adventure, anecdotal tidbits, and fascinating historical information.” (Booklist on Pagan Holiday )
“Combining a wealth of vivid details with a knack for narrative pacing and subtle humor, Perrottet (Pagan Holiday) renders a striking portrayal of the Greek Olympics and their role in the ancient world…It’s an entertaining, edifying account that puts a human face on one of humanity’s most remarkable spectacles.” (Publishers Weekly on The Naked Olympics )
“This lively account of the classical Olympics portrays them as “the Woodstock of antiquity,” and claims that the Games, while taken seriously, were also where Greeks gathered for a five-day debauch.” (The New Yorker on The Naked Olympics )
“The Naked Olympics presents the Greeks in all their glory, brutality, and vulgarity. It is a fascinating picture and popular history at its best.” (Norman Cantor, Professor Emeritus, New York University, and author of Antiquity: The Civilization of the Ancient World )
“Brimming with humor, adventure, anecdotal tidbits, and fascinating historical information, this delightful travelogue offers a unique twist on some classic journeys.” (Booklist on Pagan Holiday )
“It’s refreshing to find such an entertaining writer whose history is also meticulously researched. Perrottet’s take on the past is erudite, original and witty -- even, frequently, hilarious.” (Paul Cartledge, Professor of Classics, Cambridge University )
“A terrifically funny writer; this history-cum-travelogue is as enjoyable as it is informative and twice as quirky.” (Boston Globe on Pagan Holiday )
“An appealing...mix of the zany and the arcane.” (New York Times on Pagan Holiday )
“A whimsical trek through classical history, famous sites and arcane trivia.” (Washington Post on Pagan Holiday )
“Required reading...a charming popular history of ancient Roman sight-seeing.” (Forbes on Pagan Holiday )
“A fascinating and often humorous look at a world long gone and the tourist culture that has grown up around it. Perrottet’s writing sparkles with descriptions of modern and ancient misadventures.” (Library Journal on Pagan Holiday )
“Brimming with humor, adventure, anecdotal tidbits, and fascinating historical information.” (Booklist on Pagan Holiday )
“Combining a wealth of vivid details with a knack for narrative pacing and subtle humor, Perrottet (Pagan Holiday) renders a striking portrayal of the Greek Olympics and their role in the ancient world…It’s an entertaining, edifying account that puts a human face on one of humanity’s most remarkable spectacles.” (Publishers Weekly on The Naked Olympics )
“This lively account of the classical Olympics portrays them as “the Woodstock of antiquity,” and claims that the Games, while taken seriously, were also where Greeks gathered for a five-day debauch.” (The New Yorker on The Naked Olympics )
“The Naked Olympics presents the Greeks in all their glory, brutality, and vulgarity. It is a fascinating picture and popular history at its best.” (Norman Cantor, Professor Emeritus, New York University, and author of Antiquity: The Civilization of the Ancient World )
“Brimming with humor, adventure, anecdotal tidbits, and fascinating historical information, this delightful travelogue offers a unique twist on some classic journeys.” (Booklist on Pagan Holiday )
Book Description
When Tony Perrottet heard that Napoleon's "baguette" had been stolen by his disgruntled doctor a few days after the Emperor's death, he rushed out to New Jersey. Why? Because that's where an eccentric American collector who had purchased Napoleon's member at a Parisian auction now kept the actual relic in an old suitcase under his bed.
The story of Napoleon's privates triggered Perrottet's quest to research other such exotic sagas from history, to discover the actual evidence behind the most famous age-old mysteries: Did Churchill really send condoms of a surprising size to Stalin? Were champagne glasses really molded upon Marie Antoinette's breasts? What was JFK's real secret service? What were Casanova's best pickup lines? Napoleon's Privates is filled with offbeat, riotously entertaining anecdotes that are guaranteed to amaze, shock, and enliven any dinner party.
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
What the History Books Forgot to Mention,
By
This review is from: Napoleon's Privates: 2,500 Years of History Unzipped (Hardcover)
This book contains a wealth of historical gems. In over fifty chapters, the author presents a series of historical snippets most of which have, for obvious reasons, been omitted from standard history texts. Although most of the topics are sex-oriented in some way, not all of them are in that category; some involve gastronomy (in various forms), odd habits, celebrity quirks, etc. The writing style is refreshing to say the least; that is, it is irreverent, tongue-in-cheek, accessible, engaging, witty, down-to-earth and in many cases absolutely hilarious. The references that are indicated at the end of each chapter, the authorities that were consulted, as named in the acknowledgments, as well as the author's own expertise give the reader confidence as to the accuracy of the stories that are presented. This is a book that can be thoroughly enjoyed by absolutely anyone. History has never been so much fun to read.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.3 out of 5 stars (27 customer reviews) 8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
An easy and fun read, history fan or not...,
By tredog1 "stickler for details" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Napoleon's Privates: 2,500 Years of History Unzipped (Hardcover)
Great compilation of interesting tid bits, although some are more appealing than others. As a History major I enjoyed the historical accuracy vs. urban legend aspect of the essays. Most of them did make for great conversation with others and it was fun to throw around some facts about the more absurd, perverse or taboo pieces of world history.Also I must note that I appreciate that the essays involving homosexual history have no tinge of judgment or repugnance hidden in them (as some other similar collections have). So thank you for that Perrottet. Good use of references as well, you can tell the author did his research. And it prompted me to pick up some more reading material so I may further delve into some of the topics that Perrottet just touched upon briefly. 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
History was never so interesing in school,
By C. Thilmany "Books and Chat" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Napoleon's Privates: 2,500 Years of History Unzipped (Hardcover)
This book contains over sixty chapters devoted to historical sort of "urban legend" tales involving scandals, sex, body parts or other juicy tidbits that would get most people's attention if you heard it being discussed. Much of it is about famous people, but we also get topics devoted to ideas surrounding sex, such as how it was believed that masturbation caused a long list of physical ailments.Some of the stories involve Napoleon, Cleopatra, Casanova, popes, Hitler, JFK and other earlier presidents, the practice of castrating young boys in the hopes they'd be famous singers, the birth of the stag movie, syphilis, etc, etc. In the introduction the author claims to not want to trivialize history, but to bring it to full life. We get the general rumor as well as some actual facts that either debunk or support the tale with sources and further reading suggestions on the subject provided for each chapter, all told in a light-hearted, humorous manner. Most chapters are 2-4 pages in length, so you don't get buried in any one subject. Too bad school history books aren't told in this manner. I don't think the book is intended to be read cover-to-cover in one sitting, but I found myself getting through over half the book before I started jumping around to look at specific topics I hadn't reached yet. I just know that some of what I've read will be brought up in future conversations. 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sure. It's Good For A Laugh,
By Arthur H. Roach "arturzinho" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Napoleon's Privates: 2,500 Years of History Unzipped (Hardcover)
As one might guess, the prurient stories are the focus of the book; and since they had the author's full attention, they really are very funny. I kept the book by my bed, which was perfect because of the very short articles -- two or three read and I was in slumber land, probably with a small smile.A couple things an editor should have caught: while his discussion on the accuracy and relevance of the permanent virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is right-on-target, he makes the common error of identifying The Immaculate Conception as the moment when Mary conceived Jesus. Wrong. The Immaculate Conception, in Catholic teaching, is the moment when Mary herself was conceived in her mother's womb, and "enjoyed in advance" the merits of the cross. When Gabriel appeared to Mary and she conceived Jesus is The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Hey -- sorry if that's Too Much Information.) On the history of masturbation, he didn't get the sin of Onan exactly right. At the time, Jewish law called for a brother to impregnate his brother's widow. Onan withdrew and failed to honor his responsibility. Nit-picking aside, the book is a lot of fun; but let me suggest you find it in a library or borrow it from a friend. You'll finish reading it in a few days. |
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