The true stories behind history commonly told give readers a fascinating new look at our past. The revelations shock and amaze by exposing veiled motivations and convenient inaccuracies in well-documented events by established leaders that often have a continuing affect on the world. Each of the 25-30 chapters points out a lie that is held as a common truth in history and summarizes what we think we know. Then the author shreds the lie to academic ribbons using the latest findings on each subject. Each true story sets the record straight, reveals timeless ulterior motives, introduces important personalities who successfully (and suspiciously) avoided responsibility in common history texts, and notes underlining issues that have continued relevance in the modern age. From the unvarnished story of the crusades and the damage it did to the Muslim and Christian relationship to the real reason behind the start of the Vietnam War.