From beloved CBS Sunday Morning correspondent and humorist Mo Rocca, a rigorously researched, âfunny and smartâ (Jon Stewart) book that celebrates the dead people who have long fascinated him.
Mo Rocca has always loved obituariesâreading about the remarkable lives of global leaders, Hollywood heavyweights, and innovators who changed the world. But not every notable life has gotten the send-off it deserves. His quest to right that wrong inspired Mobituaries, his #1 hit podcast. But here, in this âdelightful, hilarious romp through historyâ (Booklist) he has gone much further, with all-new essays on artists, entertainers, sports stars, political pioneers, founding fathers, and more. Even if you know the names, youâve never understood why they matter...until now.
Take Herbert Hoover: before he was president, he was the âGreat Humanitarian,â the man who saved tens of millions from starvation. But after less than a year in the White House, the stock market crashed, and all the good he had done seemed to be forgotten. Then thereâs Marlene Dietrich, well remembered as a screen goddess, less remembered as a great patriot. Alongside servicemen on the front lines during World War II, she risked her life to help defeat the Nazis of her native Germany. And what about Billy Carter and historyâs unruly presidential brothers? Were they neâer-do-well liabilitiesâŠor secret weapons? Plus, Mobits for dead sports teams, dead countries, the dearly departed station wagon, and dragons. Yes, dragons.
Rocca is an expert researcher and storyteller who offers âjoy for curious mindsâ (Walter Isaacson, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Steve Jobs and Leonardo da Vinci), and with his dogged reporting and trademark wit, he brings these men and women back to life like no one else can. âIn our fact-challenged times, Roccaâs joyful tour through the didja knowâs of history is an unexpected antidoteâ (The New Yorker).