National Geographic and author Michael Farquhar uncover an instance of bad luck, epic misfortune, and unadulterated mayhem tied to every day of the year. From Caligula’s blood-soaked end to hotelier Steve Wynn’s unfortunate run-in with a priceless Picasso, these 365 tales of misery include lost fortunes, romance gone wrong, and truly bizarre moments.
Think you’re having a bad day? Trust us, it gets worse.
No LOL Matter On December 3, 1992, Neil Papworth sent the world’s first text message, making it a very bad day for the English language indeed. Since that day, teenagers have stopped actually speaking to one another, proper spelling has become obsolete, and driving while texting has now far surpassed driving while drinking as the most lethal activity on the road.
“Bad Days in History: A Gleefully Grim Chronology of Historical Mishaps and Misdeeds” by Michael Farquhar is a witty and entertaining compendium of history’s most unfortunate events and infamous figures. The book is organized into short, chronological entries that cover a wide range of topics, from political blunders and military disasters to natural catastrophes and scientific mishaps.
One of the strengths of “Bad Days in History” is Farquhar’s engaging and often humorous writing style. He has a knack for finding the absurd and ironic in even the most serious of historical events, and his wry commentary adds a welcome dose of levity to the subject matter. The book is also well-researched, with numerous references to primary and secondary sources that lend credibility to the stories presented.
However, “Bad Days in History” is not without its flaws. The book’s structure, which jumps from one topic to the next with little transition, can make it difficult to follow the overarching narrative of history. Additionally, some readers may find the author’s irreverent tone to be off-putting, particularly when discussing events or figures that are still sensitive or controversial.
Another issue is that the book focuses mainly on Western history, with only a few entries dedicated to events or figures from other parts of the world. This narrow focus can give the impression that only Western history is worth studying, which is a limited and inaccurate view of the past.
Overall, “Bad Days in History” is an enjoyable and informative read that will appeal to history buffs and casual readers alike. While it may not provide a comprehensive overview of history, it does offer a unique and entertaining perspective on some of the most memorable mishaps and misdeeds of the past. Just be prepared for a healthy dose of sarcasm and irreverence along the way.
Other books by this author at Goodreads
- Behind the Palace Doors: Five Centuries of Sex, Adventure, Vice, Treachery, and Folly from Royal Britain
- Secret Lives of the Tsars: Three Centuries of Autocracy, Debauchery, Betrayal, Murder, and Madness from Romanov Russia
- A Treasury of Deception: Liars, Misleaders, Hoodwinkers, and the Extraordinary True Stories of History’s Greatest Hoaxes, Fakes, and Frauds
- More Bad Days in History: The Delightfully Dismal, Day-by-Day Saga of Ignominy, Idiocy, and Incompetence Continues
- A Treasury of Great American Scandals: Tantalizing True Tales of Historic Misbehavior by the Founding Fathers and Others Who Let Freedom Swing