Good Reads and Interesting Links

The movie Saving Private Ryan was based on the true story of Sergeant Fritz Niland, who stumbled upon his brother’s French graves in 1944. But Niland’s story has a bit of a surprise ending.

In excerpts from the book Beating Back the Devil, we learn how doctors and scientists discovered AIDS. Part one, part two, and part three. (via Boing Boing)

“Girls wanted to be her, boys wanted to date her, and old people thought she was a sign of the apocalypse, which obviously meant she was star material.” The scandalous life and career of Clara Bow.

Schwarzenegger Beetles (and other celebrity species). You know you’ve really arrived when they name a creepy-crawly after you.

A history professor takes issue with the romanticized way Ken Burns presented the Civil War in TV. However, he welcomes all the new interest in learning about history that documentary sparked.

What Are Little Boys Made Of? A case study made famous in the world of anti-homosexual therapy had a real boy and an entirely more complicated story behind it. (via Metafilter)

The Illustrated Police News was a lurid crime tabloid in 19th-century London. When they ran low on sensational crime stories, supernatural urban legends would do just fine. (via Boing Boing)

A history professor takes issue with the romanticized way Ken Burns presented the Civil War in TV. However, he welcomes all the new interest in learning about history that documentary sparked.

Snowclones. They may sound delicious, but it’s a grammar term for a type of phrase you probably use all the time.

The 6 Most WTF Moments From Shakespeare Plays. Some of his dramas resemble today’s soap operas and slasher films.