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Ben Gazur

A Short History of the World in 50 Failures

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Details

Imprint: O'Mara Books

Publication date: 05/12/2024

ISBN: 9781789296938

Subject: Non-Fiction

Category: Science - History - Philosophy

Binding: Hardback

Size: 178 x 129 mm

Extent: 288 pages

Illustration: B/w line drawings throughout

Territorial Rights: World (All Languages)

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Summary:

Explore the failures, mistakes and missed opportunities that shaped history in this new entry in the bestselling series.

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.

Also available:
A Short History of the World in 50 Places (9781789291971)
A Short History of the World in 50 Animals (9781789292954)
A Short History of the World in 50 Books (9781789294088)
A Short History of the World in 50 Lies (9781789294606)

Sales points:

  • Features fifty bite-sized chapters, each covering a fascinating historical failure from world history.

  • A thoroughly researched and entertaining history of the world that includes both iconic incidents from history and more obscure, but no less compelling figures.

  • Ben Gazur is a writer specializing in history, science and folklore who has contributed to outlets including the Guardian, the BBC and All About History magazine.

  • Also in the series: A Short History of the World in 50 Lies (Over 35,000 copies sold in the English language), A Short History of the World in 50 Books, A Short History of the World in 50 Places and A Short History of the world in 50 Animals. The series has also been translated in 20 languages worldwide.

About the Author:

Ben Gazur

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.

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