The Greatest War Stories Never Told
100 Tales from Military History to Astonish, Bewilder and Stupefy

Rick Beyer and THE HISTORY CHANNEL® have collected a new batch of amazing tales that will make readers snap to attention. For example: The battle that was interrupted for a soccer game. The haited traitor who saved America. And don't forget the pig whose death triggered an international crisis between the United States and Great Britain.

This is the kind of history you'll find in The Greatest War Stories Never Told. One hundred fascinating stories drawn from two thousand years of military history, accompanied by a wealth of photographs, maps, drawings, and documents that help bring each story to life. Little-known tales told with a one-two punch of history and humor that will make you shake your head in disbelief—but they’re all true.

•The African-American militiary unit that served on both sides during the Civil War.
•Britain and Spain going to war over a sea captain's ear.
•A siege of Poland in 1519 that led to the marriage of bread and butter.

The stories are accompanied by an array of pictures, documents, and maps. A one-two punch of history and humor that will capture the imagination of history enthuiasts of all ages.

Press Release

The offficial press release from Harper Collins

Cover Quiz

A quiz based on the 17 stories featured on the cover

Reviews:

Now you tell us; Untold war stories come to light in quick, quirky read
By C. Mark Brinkley; Times staff writer
:November 7, 2005

Just when we were certain that we knew everything about everything, Rick Beyer comes
along and ruins it.

Beyer, a documentary producer for the History Channel and author of the entertaining "TheGreatest Stories Never Told," is back for another round of history we never learned in publicschool with "The Greatest War Stories Never Told," set to hit bookshelves in November.

Before reading this book, we had no idea that a stripper saved the Roman Empire. ThatDaniel Boone was once court-martialed for treason (and cleared). That the poinsettias thatwe so love at Christmas were brought here from Mexico by former war secretary and amateur botanist Joel Poinsett. That the invention of chewing gum has ties to the Alamo.
The obscure secrets that Beyer reveals are fascinating in all the ways that history books generally aren't - quirky and entertaining, without being drawn out. Only 224 pages, the book is a quick read that you'll be working into conversation forever.

For instance, did you know that the youngest American believed to have served in World War II was Calvin Graham, who lied to the Navy and enlisted at the age of 12? He was found out and placed in the brig, where his sister "got him sprung by threatening to go to the papers," Beyer writes. "Two days after his thirteenth birthday, he rejoined his Fort Worthclassmates - in the seventh grade."

Guess who he told his secret to, the mistake which led to his discharge? His gunnery officer,Sargent Shriver, who "later married JFK's sister, Eunice Kennedy, headed the Peace Corps,and ran for president in 1976."
Small world, huh? After reading this book, you'll know just how small it really is.