For the average person, most of the American history that he or she knows comes from facts taught to them in school to prepare them for their state mandated tests. That's not the fault of their teachers who were just carrying out the directives of their employers. But it's also a fact that a great deal of that content that they were teaching is dry and boring. However, as in every aspect of life, there is always another story behind each major event. The story of America is interesting and exciting, but it's those lesser known parts of our history that make it special.

Even though in most cases, the names and events in the book will be recognizable, most of the stories about them will be new to the reader. Young teachers can discover new material that can help get through those less-than-exciting areas of your textbook and as a result energize their students. For those of you who are history buffs, hopefully you'll come across a few things that are new to you.