The Ultimate Book of Heroic Failures

by Stephen Pile

THE SUNDAY TIMES HUMOUR BOOK OF THE YEAR'One of the few books to make me laugh out loud' Sunday ExpressWith Stephen Pile's The Ultimate Book of Heroic Failures, celebrate the very best in failure with this all new collection of outrageously funny misadventures from the author of the classic number one bestseller The Book of Heroic Failures.Anyone can be a success, but it takes real and original genius to foul up big time. These are the all-time greats, Gods in the field of failure, surreal artists, who spurn mere drab success ('I'm a winner, Lord Sugar') to explore the vast, magical, life-enhancing possibilities of getting it wrong. Any of us could make a mistake, but these great souls can turn the simplest everyday task into a scene of jaw-dropping wonder. These are the immortals.Failure is everywhere. The Book of Heroic Failures, takes us on an all-new and mind-bendingly hilarious tour to celebrate the most spectacular and absurd failures of the last twenty-five years. There are 235 stories in total spread from the Outer Hebrides to America, Ireland, Australia, Europe and Africa. From the most driving test failures (959), the most pointless election (in Dakota, in which not even the mayor voted), the worst robbery (when two different sets of bank robbers struck simultaneously) and the worst mugger (who left his victim $250 better off), to the holidaying rugby team of fifty-somethings from Dorchester who, due to a mis-translation, ended up playing the top team from Romania live on state TV, this is the ultimate book to make you feel better about yourself and the world around you.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, History, Comedy, Reference

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2011

Reviews

[Merja Pohjola · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love these books - makes me feel a bit better, cause I am not the only clumsy and silly person... (though I a a failure since I am not even clumsy and stupid enough to get recognized in this book ;))... the only BUT here is my own fault - since I am far from a sports fan I don't get all the sports stuff, but cannot deny they must be a hilarious read for those who do. There is enough for someone like me who doesn't. Most of the other stories are a hoot, I rarely laugh out loud but I did to this book (like the one predecessor I have also read, the other one I haven't...) Even my son was laughing when I read selected pieces, so if you don't utterly lack sense of humor there must be something for everyone, especially if your sense of humor has a little, tiny, gentle, mean strike to it ;) And hats off to everyone who can laugh at themselves!!!! ;)

[Paul Laters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for making even the most disasterous events feel like minor bumps in the road. The books format lends itself to being able to read as much or little as you want without any loss to the book.

[Andrew Fish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you need a book you can dip in and out of without losing the plot. Easy enough: there are plenty of books which divide their subject matter into digestible chunks, but the trick is that the book has to be engaging enough that you don't feel disinclined to return when the moment presents itself.

I first encountered the world of heroic failures some twenty-five years ago, when the original two books turned up second-hand at a boot fair. Pile's amusing collection of silly stories were a light, funny read, and a good way to while away a quiet few minutes here and there. Then, when I was looking for something to read on the Kindle in the run-up to Christmas, I discovered this later volume at a reasonable price and decided to see if the spark was still there.

It was. The thing about Pile's writing is not simply that he manages to collect these stories - some of which were actually familiar to me this time round from news

coverage - but that he presents them so well. This is because he reports them not so much as failures but as achievements - masterpieces of disaster from natural born

comedians. Compare this with the Darwin Awards, which even the compilers admit get pretty depressing if you read too many at a sitting, and what you get is something light, witty, and easy to digest. Admittedly there aren't as many deaths in Heroic Failures as the Darwin Awards, but you get the impression that even if there were, Pile could make them seem amusing.

Obviously, a series of short anecdotes isn't the most challenging of reads, and there are occasions where you feel the need to put the book down for a bit, but read in small doses as the author likely intended, this is a book that cannot fail to raise a chuckle. As a little ray of light for the dark winter commute, it therefore succeeds eminently.

[Johannes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Schadenfreude: Keine der großen Fremdsprachen hat ein eigenes Wort dafür.
Ein deutsches Phänomen? Keineswegs!
Weltweit sind anderer Leute Pleiten, Pech und Pannen für den Beobachter ein Quell größter Freude.

Ein Buch zum "smökern". Ob im Bett vor dem Einschlafen oder auf der Toilette. Ob beim Fernsehen, wenn mal wieder eine Unmenge Werbung gezeigt wird oder am Telefon, wenn die Computerstimme uns Hoffnumng macht und verspricht, dass die nächtse freie Leitung für uns ist.
Kurzum immer gut zum Schmunzeln.

Dieses Buch ist aber nicht geignet an einem Stück zu lesen, aber das wird man auch nicht wollen.

[Mario Dumouchel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny trivia book written with a hilarious optimism about failure. It is a book from the UK so there is an enormous amount about football, but I still thought was a little much. I like how the author avoided very morbid stories otherwise it wouldn't have been as fun. I read it alongside No Such Thing As a Fish 2017, Book of the Year. I enjoyed the humour more in the Book of the Year compared to Heroic Failure but they share similarities. Book of the Year slightly edges out Heroic Failures, but still a good laugh.

[Sharakael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a highly entertaining read, if you enjoy reading about failures (as the title implied). More than once I found myself laughing to tears, reading the absurdity humans display in the face of failure... and I still find myself going back to the book once in a while when I need some laughter to brighten my day.

I'd recommend this book... after all as they say, real life is stranger than fiction.

[Aizuddin Khalid · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm very much appreciative of this compilation of documented failure events; must have taken tremendous effort and research. The book gives good summaries to the events and it will be easy to refer back to.

In reality, most of us experienced failure and are more of losers than superstars since there's so much room at the top. Hence, such stories actually apply to learn of how others responded to failure.

The stories do bring a laugh here and there. Enjoyed it for what it is.

[Jorgon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, if you think that terrible tales of human incompetence should leave you feeling dejected and depressed, this book is a failure. A heroic failure. Its intended effect is quite the opposite: it makes me happy, reaffirms my faith in the disastrous nature of humanity, and makes me giggle uncontrollably.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I never thought that failure could be so amusing and so impressive but Stephen Pile has collated some of the best stories and examples of people not only failing but refusing to quit in the face of increasingly depressing stats from failed driving tests to robberies that benefit the victim rather than the robber (as you do).

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book - like the opposite of the Guinness Book of World Records. The only flaw was that in one story the author refers to a "state governor in Canada". Canada has neither states or governors. Otherwise a jolly entertaining read.

[Satyabrata Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many books have been written on the success stories; presenting the un-Ripley's believe it or not where Pile compiles (poetic eh B) ) the stories of failures. Even though it is an entertaining read, not much is to be expected from it.

[Stamatios Mantzouranis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A large collection of hilarious true stories of ultimate failures, but above all, an honest ode to human failure without any hint of sarcasm whatsoever. Thoroughly enjoyed.

[Pippa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good to read and pick up at any time as each section is a different failure. Great for people who keep books in their bathrooms.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read, would make a good bathroom book.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a few giggles while reading this collection of failures and misfortunes, but for me there were too many sport and movie snippets. I was bored of it all by the second half.

[Martin Willoughby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A laugh out loud guide to why failure is best. My favourite is the only non-fiction nominee for the bad sex award. In 2010 the memoirs of Tony Blair were nominated.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11932809

[Dorothy: ebookofashes Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying book

This book is enjoying. The story of failure, have help me with my failures. If fun, funny and moving. Enjoying.😅😄

[Lisa Howells · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ultimate Book of Heroic Failures

A very enjoyable book with some great info. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in what happens when things go wrong.

[Book Grocer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchase The Ultimate Book of Heroic Failures here for just $7!

A hilarious and uplifting addition to the personal development genre, this book shows that failing can, in itself, be a form of success with examples ranging from new world records, to truly disastrous animal interactions. An easy book to dip in and out of offering a refreshing look at the art of failure.

Kelsey - The Book Grocer

[Thomas Brannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Worth a Read

I really enjoyed this book. There has been a lot of research went into it and covers a plethora of subjects. The book is one where you can pick up and put down at anytime, no need to finish a chapter first as they are all about a page each.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's such a funny and great book to read after you've failed yourself. Be warned: it might leave you with an annoying feeling that you're such an average failure, not even worthy being entered in the book of failures.

[Alice Porto · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise was way more interesting than the book itself, which is sort of ironic considering it's title may have set a self-fulfilling prophecy. Couldn't even bother to go all the way through this book, way too boring

[Christina Widmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Etwas sportlastig, aber viel zu lachen.
Rezension auf meinem Blog: https://nouw.com/cwidmann/stephen-pil...

[SEAN BRADY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book, lots of little cities to make you think.

[David Provan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn

No Bill Tidy illustrations. Mr Pile, you should be ashamed. Definitely lacking, despite making me laugh aloud several times. Blast (Kindle wanted one more word).

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining collection of stories of those who were incredibly successful in their failures that had me chuckling aloud on multiple occasions, though some stories fell flatter than others.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious!

An extremely positive look on the most epic failures. A pleasantly good read and told with good doses of humour!

[Anthony Fawkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book celebrating failure, it's an easy fun read, made me laugh out loud a few times and I liked the authors light hearted style.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Too much football failures but still fun.