An Epic History of Failure - (Wacky Histories) by Natalie Younger & Neon Squid (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

No one takes pride in it, but it is funny to see others fail. Take an educational and entertaining tour through history, visiting some of humankind's silliest decisions and the lessons we've learned (or not) from them.

From the sinking of the HMS Titanic, to the many, MANY missteps of Christopher Columbus, to the wonky construction of the Tower of Pisa, readers will discover some of the epic fails that have changed our world or simply left us wondering "what were they thinking?!"

Everybody gets things wrong sometimes and this book demonstrates how we can often learn something from failure--or as Thomas Edison put it: "I've not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

Each tale is accompanied by wacky illustrations from Ella Kasperowicz, ideal for engaging reluctant readers.

This is the third title in Neon Squid's Wacky Histories series, following A Stinky History of Toilets and A Sick History of Medicine, and is perfect for curious kids with a fondness for the darker side of history.

Review Quotes

"With a timeless topic, a concise writing style, and bright, colorful illustrations, this informative and sometimes surprising book will please many readers, particularly history fans, who will enjoy sharing their favorite selections with friends." - Booklist

"This book is fabulous... it is sure to delight young history fans... written in a way that both amuses and entertains. The book is beautifully illustrated throughout and has a nice introduction which basically tells children why it's OK to fail and how to learn from mistakes. " - Associated Press

About the Author

Natalie Younger is the cohost of Shared History, a history and comedy podcast about the overlooked and underrepresented people and events from ancient to modern history. She is a writer, comedian, podcaster, and actor based in Chicago, Illinois.

Ella Kasperowicz, AKA Ellastrated, is a UK-based illustrator. She creates playful, relatable, and modern information illustrations inspired by travel, mental health, and friendship.