Description: "From the botched attempt to create a life-extending elixir that produced gunpowder, to the unsuccessful stint in medical school which led to a career in naturalism for Charles Darwin, to the missile detection system malfunction that almost sparked a nuclear war, the course of human history has so often been shaped by failures of all magnitudes. In fifty bite-sized chapters spanning thousands of years, A Short History of the World in 50 Failures details how the world as we know it has been defined by plans gone awry, opportunities not seized upon and schemes that were always fated to end in catastrophe. Whether it's the pharaoh Akhenaten's misplaced attempt to found a new religion or Napoleon's doomed invasion of Russia, discover a fascinating collection of outsized tales and historical snafus that created the world as we know it today."--Provided by publisher.
Brief description: Ben Gazur is a freelance writer and author specializing in history, folklore, and science. He has written for outlets including The Guardian, the BBC, All About History, and Fortean Times. His books cover everything from Epicurus to history's strangest deaths and British food folklore.
Review Quotes: "Entertaining overview of monumental mistakes that changed human history." - Publishers Weekly
"This captivating compendium of historical failures, oddities, catastrophes, and missed opportunities proves that there is more to history than achievement and progress... A Short History of the World in 50 Failures is highly recommended for public-library browsing collections. Anyone who appreciates history with a bit of spice will read it with great pleasure." - Booklist
- "An engaging history, designed for readers hoping to learn from the past to create a better future. Well researched and informative" - Library Journal"[C]leverly droll but chillingly accurate portraits of history's worst." - Booklist
- "Accessible and engaging, this book is sure to inspire readers to take another look at previously accepted historical narratives." - Booklist (starred review)"A timely approach to world history through bite-sized chapters highlighting how the lies and propaganda of the past still impact the present day." - School Library Journal"At this moment, when we are in a constant fog of propaganda, political spin, and accusations of fake news, 50 Lies is particularly relevant." - Don Noble's Book Reviews, Alabama Public Radio"[S]hows that the march of truth isn't always unstoppable. Lies have their own power and momentum." - Daily Mail