NOW READING: Cleopatra's Nose

"Cleopatra's Nose" by Daniel J Boorstin is a series of essays that explores the unexpected in American History. (The title is drawn from the philosopher who observed that had Cleopatra's nose been shorter the history of the world would have been differant.) Topics like the development of Washington DC as a capital, the role of the printing press in the debate over the Constitution, and the modern era as an age of negative discovery all give new perspectives on history. I previously read "Hidden History" by the same author, also excellent. Both books are reminders that small events can alter history.