A Brief History of the End of the F*cking World

by Tom Phillips

Do you feel like we're living in the end times? Does it seem like everything is on fire, and one disaster follows another?

Here's a small you're not the first to feel that way. If there's one thing that people throughout history have agreed on, it's that history wasn't going to be around for much longer.

This book is about the apocalypse, and how humans have always believed it to be very f*cking nigh. Across thousands of years, we'll meet weird cults, failed prophets and mass panics, holy warriors leading revolts in anticipation of the last days, and suburbanites waiting for aliens to rescue them from a doomed Earth. We'll journey back to the 'worst period to be alive', as the world reeled from a simultaneous pandemic and climate crisis. And we'll look to the future to ask the unnerving how might it all end?

But it's also a book about how we live in a world where catastrophe is always looming - whether it's a madman with a nuclear button or the slow burn of environmental collapse. Because when we talk about the end of the world, what we really mean is the end of our world. Our obsession with doomsday is really about our fear of it, and our desire for it, and how - ultimately - we can find hope in it.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Humor, Science

384 pages, Hardcover

First published February 27, 2025

About the author

Tom Phillips is the editor of the fact-checking organisation, Full Fact.

Reviews

[Nicholas Smeaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Instead of been a list of various doomsday cults, this book is an in depth look at the history of the apocalypse starting with the origins of doomsday thinking and explores the psychology of such thinking including what happens when doomsday fails to arrive. It finishes up with a look at some of the ways the world might actually end and how apocalyptical thinking has evolved to exploit contemporary concerns (Parts of the environmental movement are definitely doomsday cults in disguise and I suspect this is contributing to climate change denial). Despite the subject matter this book does end on a rather optimistic note.
Overall a very good look at the subject with both breath and depth. If you want an introduction to this topic, this book is a must read.

[Saurabh Varanasi · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book with a brazen title that in no way justifies the use of the f word, it’s a pretty damn good book. What drew me to it instantly was a fascinating idea that if there’s one thing history teaches us, it’s that since time immemorial humans have been astonishingly adept at apocalyptic predictions (the study of which, I learned, is called eschatology) but the fact that I’m here writing this review is proof enough that not one of those predictions came true.

It’s a novel way of looking at history and I was quite surprised to see the confidence with which people repeatedly claimed the world was going to end. The book covers a wide spectrum of the sources of such conviction, be it religious, political or scientific. I must admit, the religious portions demanded a lot of patience, but when I read that so many respected scientists like Galileo, Napier and others who had a strong background in astronomy were part of this club, it was amusing to say the least.

Finally, there’s a nice segue into the possible reasons the world might actually come to an end, like the Earth being hit by an asteroid (this is in itself is a nice segue to the next book I’m going to read, which is on astrophysics), populations being wiped out by an epidemic or a nuclear explosion. Don’t worry, the author allays any fears about apocalypse prophecies by making a strong case for each of these categories.

Definitely worth a shot if you’re looking for a frequently hilarious retelling of history viewed through a completely different lens.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The very existence of this book proves that YES the peoples of the world can be obsessed over the apocalypse. It's nothing groundbreaking, but it has a nice light tone and it does present a few eschatological examples of which I was unaware. An amusing diversion that will leave you shaking your head.

[Meg An · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to skip a big chunk of the middle due to boredom, but the last 30% of this book was suuuper interesting. The author analysed the history, science, politics and social commentary on possible causes of the end of the world - asteroid, epidemic, nuclear war, AI, climate change, to name a few - all with dry wit and humour at how clever yet ridiculous the human race can be.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

The end is nigh!

It sounded like so much fun bit it wasn't. I love end of days films but this covered so much other points.
Judgement Day
Ragnarok
Everybody who has thought that the end of the world is coming. There were a lot.

Stopped reading at chapter 6.

[Sarah Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve ever wondered just how many times humanity has teetered on the brink of annihilation, A Brief History of the End of the F**ing World* is here to provide a darkly hilarious, occasionally terrifying, and strangely comforting answer: a lot. Tom Phillips takes us on a whirlwind tour of history’s near-misses, from rogue nukes and plagues to cosmic threats and human stupidity. It’s both a love letter to our resilience and a warning that we might not always be so lucky.

Phillips writes with his signature wit, balancing well-researched history with laugh-out-loud moments that make you forget you’re reading about potential doom. Some chapters feel sharper than others, and a few of the disasters blur together, but the book remains engaging throughout. It’s a perfect read for anyone who enjoys history with a side of dark humour—and who doesn’t mind being reminded that civilisation is, at best, a wobbly house of cards.

Not quite an existential crisis in book form, but definitely a reminder that we’ve survived some absolute disasters. Will we keep getting lucky? That remains to be seen.

[❀ Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most engaging, nuanced, and in depth history books I have read in a long time. It's also more than just history, it's an exploration of the human condition, on the why we as a species continue to develop apocalyptic thought. It's also so full of hope, for the first time in a long time I am less afraid of the world.

Perhaps we really do indeed need to pay less attention to the big apocalypse, and more attention the little apocalypses that happen every day.

[Diane Jeske · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 rounded down.)

There is definitely some interesting material in this book about how human beings have, it seems, always been inclined to see the end as imminent. The problem is, there is not enough material for a book of this length. Or maybe it’s that the author doesn’t have enough to say about the material. Either way, I found the book repetitive and thus somewhat boring after about the halfway mark.

[Sophie Cowdrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. Instead of giving you a brief look at modern day doomsday cults, the author takes you on a journey throughout pretty much the entirety of human existence, the cosmos and beyond, in order to explain the question of why we’re so fascinated by the idea of our own demise, doomsday, and apocalypse. A really funny, dark, witty listen.

[H Wesselius · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read and studied academic treatise on the apocalypse before and have read some serious philosophical treatise on the human tendency to imagine the end, this isn't it. This is a fun introduction to the origins, types, and failures of apocalyptic thought along with a few thoughts on possible methods of real demise. Nothing strenuous but still fun and worth a read.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting, and a bit underwhelming. I was hoping for some kind of historical overview of our/my apocalyptic obsession (even if a tad humorous and flippant), but this was more a survey of apocalyptic trends and types through history that failed to delve enough into the whys and wherefores of those beliefs and fears. Intermittently entertaining and sporadically informative.

[Mike Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.

There was a period of about a hundred pages in the middle that almost lost me. Most of the content in the mediaeval period was boring as hell. I don't know why, I've read plenty of things about and/or set in the middle ages that were fascinating, but this just struggled to hold my attention.

However, apart from that hundred-ish pages, this was funny, fascinating, and friendly.

[Lianne · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 😬

I think I’m going to give up on this author… I really loved conspiracy but every other book has missed the mark! The topics he chooses are so interesting, I can’t help but be enticed to download but they always end up being a snooze fest. I don’t know how you can take such an interesting topic and turn it into a sleep aid.

Maybe it’s just me 🤷🏽‍♀️

[Jean-Francois Delorme · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stay away, largely incoherent and a rambling jumble of mush. Skip a line? doesn’t matter. forgo a paragraph? Hardly noticeable. Forget a page? The book maybe makes more sense.

I all honestly the last 3 chapters were good, do yourself a favour, skip the first 11, you likely wont even have noticed

[PSz]

4 typos

[Matěj · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5

[Chris G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I'm new to Tom Phillips and haven't read his other books but I will definitely do that now. His book was genuinely interesting with a touch of humour and was a great read.

[John Priest · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book informative but very hard going, whereas I found Conspiracy: A History of Boll*cks Theories, and How Not to Fall for Them both informative and easy to read.

[Miruna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Tom Phillips as a writer, he always has such a fun way of recounting history. Wasn’t my favourite topic, but still a very enjoyable and knowledgeable read!!!

[Spikeybär · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too much ancient and medival stuff for my taste, yet the book still argues a compelling point (spolier incoming): it's not the end of the world.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a bit long winded but ultimately great. I love how many examples were used.