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10 Mistakes That Changed History: The Reckless Rulers, Monumental Mishaps and Disastrous Decisions That Have Shaped Our World.
Brought to you by Penguin.
From breakups that ended empires to naps that sank ships, 10 Mistakes That Changed History reveals how overlooked historical errors are responsible for some of the most era-defining events of the past.
Featuring many of the most recognisable characters and episodes in history, from Cleopatra to the sinking of the Titanic, comedian and historian Paul Coulter reframes our understanding of these pivotal moments, revealing how human errors and their unintended outcomes have governed our world – and will likely determine our future.
Packed full of surprising facts and funny stories, 10 Mistakes That Changed History is a greatest hits of bad leadership decisions, misguided acts of heroism and mankind’s most catastrophic lapses of judgement. These are the very human stories that have shaped our world, all with monumental consequences.
From breakups that ended empires to naps that sank ships, 10 Mistakes That Changed History reveals how overlooked historical errors are responsible for some of the most era-defining events of the past.
Featuring many of the most recognisable characters and episodes in history, from Cleopatra to the sinking of the Titanic, comedian and historian Paul Coulter reframes our understanding of these pivotal moments, revealing how human errors and their unintended outcomes have governed our world – and will likely determine our future.
Packed full of surprising facts and funny stories, 10 Mistakes That Changed History is a greatest hits of bad leadership decisions, misguided acts of heroism and mankind’s most catastrophic lapses of judgement. These are the very human stories that have shaped our world, all with monumental consequences.
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Published June 5, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 25, 2025
Much like the shows the writing is so clever, engaging and hilarious! I learned so much fun facts as well as has a good chuckle over some of history’s biggest mistakes!
December 23, 2025
It took me a minute to get into this and then I absolutely LOVED it. The perfect book for history nerding, and one of my favourite books of 2025 📚
The format is so clever in looking at 10 different characters in history (rather than one long non-fiction book about one person). I’ve learnt so many fun facts for pub quizzing and am determined to see the live show at the fringe 😍
Fingers crossed for a second book?!
The format is so clever in looking at 10 different characters in history (rather than one long non-fiction book about one person). I’ve learnt so many fun facts for pub quizzing and am determined to see the live show at the fringe 😍
Fingers crossed for a second book?!
August 24, 2025
Love this kind of trivia
December 10, 2025
makes history accessible
December 20, 2025
I don't know how factual the recounted stories are, but they're certainly entertaining.
October 20, 2025
This was interesting but I don't think some of these could be classed as "mistakes".
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews