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The Worst-Case Scenario Almanac: History
Best-seller history repeats itself with this dynamic new "almanac" format that broadens the scope and content of the Worst-Case Scenario handbooks. The Worst-Case Scenario Almanac: History offers step-by-step illustrated scenarios on how to win a joust, survive in a dungeon, and overcome other plights of yesteryear, but the volume also features hundreds of pages of additionaland hilariousinformation in the form of lists (the worst jobs to have during the Industrial Revolution), offbeat profiles (Attila the Hun, Idi Amin), Worst-Case Wisdom (bad advice), descriptions of disasters narrowly averted, and much more. Packed with charts, graphs, maps, and timelines, The Worst-Case Scenario Almanac: History is an invigorating look at all that's gone wrong in the past and the best way to prepare for the future.
316 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2006
5 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Piven
88 books24 followersJosh Piven is a television writer and producer, speechwriter, playwright, and the author or co-author of more than twenty non-fiction and humor books, including the worldwide best-selling The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series.
He wrote the teleplay and serves as producer of Don The Beekeeper, a half-hour children’s TV show about honeybees and urban beekeeping. His most recent stage play, a holiday farce called No Reservations, had its world premiere in November-December, 2013, to great success and critical acclaim. More information. His next play is Muddled.
Josh likes to refer to himself in the third person.
Piven is perhaps best known for his famously tongue-in-cheek worst-case books, books that offer readers real-world (though often hilarious) advice on surviving worst-case situations that they might—but hopefully won’t—encounter: everything from “how to fend off a shark” and “how to wrestle an alligator” to “how to avoid the Freshman 15” and “how to determine if your date is an axe murderer.”
Piven is an honors graduate of the University of Pennsylvania—and living proof that English majors aren't necessarily failures.
He wrote the teleplay and serves as producer of Don The Beekeeper, a half-hour children’s TV show about honeybees and urban beekeeping. His most recent stage play, a holiday farce called No Reservations, had its world premiere in November-December, 2013, to great success and critical acclaim. More information. His next play is Muddled.
Josh likes to refer to himself in the third person.
Piven is perhaps best known for his famously tongue-in-cheek worst-case books, books that offer readers real-world (though often hilarious) advice on surviving worst-case situations that they might—but hopefully won’t—encounter: everything from “how to fend off a shark” and “how to wrestle an alligator” to “how to avoid the Freshman 15” and “how to determine if your date is an axe murderer.”
Piven is an honors graduate of the University of Pennsylvania—and living proof that English majors aren't necessarily failures.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 28, 2020
This was super fun but also a great overview of historical occurrences. As a historian, I was impressed by the breadth of what this covers--of course there are plenty of things that get missed, and of course many regions get swept aside; it's fewer than 400 pages, after all, and covers pre-history to the year 2000. It does indeed have a fairly Western bent, but it's not completely Europe and the U.S.
What's great about this (especially if you aren't one readily inclined to read those "dry" history books) is that its format is very engaging and informative without being too textbook-y. The diagrams are great without being farcical, the comparisons are thought-provoking (I certainly never thought of pitting Montezuma against Mary, Queen of Scots to see who had it worse), and the timelines are very helpful. For sure this isn't an in-depth anything, but as a general reference book that is also entertaining I am definitely keeping it on my shelves--right next to the dry textbooks.
What's great about this (especially if you aren't one readily inclined to read those "dry" history books) is that its format is very engaging and informative without being too textbook-y. The diagrams are great without being farcical, the comparisons are thought-provoking (I certainly never thought of pitting Montezuma against Mary, Queen of Scots to see who had it worse), and the timelines are very helpful. For sure this isn't an in-depth anything, but as a general reference book that is also entertaining I am definitely keeping it on my shelves--right next to the dry textbooks.
June 9, 2022
I prefer this of the installments. I like the way it was made more pertinent to present day. Interesting facts, nice charts, more preferable.
December 28, 2023
Pretty fascinating book with great infographics on history tidbits.
June 24, 2025
A fun read, something light and easy. nice overview.
Read
January 13, 2025Book is silly and fun, and would be a great book for younger readers.
February 28, 2017
The best part was the beginning, where the book teaches you how to fight a sabertooth tiger.
August 8, 2011
About time I finished this book! Damn. I remember reading this back in the winter. I started this book in 2010 and finished it more than halfway through 2011 :P After all the renewals and waiting for it back because someone had requested it from the library, and back and forth, constant crazy.
I did finally manage to make it through. I can say I actually read every word. It took 7 months and 18 days to read. That's stupid and ridiculous.
The last bit was the modern stuff and I was able to relate a lot more to it. I was surprised that this book didn't talk about 9/11 or the September 11 attacks, the book as published in 2006, so the history of the event was there.
What I did find humorous, but also tragic is that on page 289, There is an article of the worst oil spill in United States History. That took place in March 1989. Now, that stat has unfortunately changed with the Gulf Oil Disaster of 2009, but that happened after the book's publication, so if there is ever a reprint or new edition, I'm sure that part of the book would be changed.
I loved the historical figure articles and the Vs. Articles. I found the "Who had it worse" articles to be factual and funny. I am happy to say that I have walked away from this book with new knowledge that i have stored somewhere in the back of my brain that may come to light if I'm ever in a head to head, sudden death match of trivial pursuit or something, but its still fun.
My favorite time period to learn about was the Medieval Times and Dark Ages. I've always loved learning about those times and that lifestyle ever since I was 9. If I was 9 in the medieval times, I'd be a page, cool.
I did finally manage to make it through. I can say I actually read every word. It took 7 months and 18 days to read. That's stupid and ridiculous.
The last bit was the modern stuff and I was able to relate a lot more to it. I was surprised that this book didn't talk about 9/11 or the September 11 attacks, the book as published in 2006, so the history of the event was there.
What I did find humorous, but also tragic is that on page 289, There is an article of the worst oil spill in United States History. That took place in March 1989. Now, that stat has unfortunately changed with the Gulf Oil Disaster of 2009, but that happened after the book's publication, so if there is ever a reprint or new edition, I'm sure that part of the book would be changed.
I loved the historical figure articles and the Vs. Articles. I found the "Who had it worse" articles to be factual and funny. I am happy to say that I have walked away from this book with new knowledge that i have stored somewhere in the back of my brain that may come to light if I'm ever in a head to head, sudden death match of trivial pursuit or something, but its still fun.
My favorite time period to learn about was the Medieval Times and Dark Ages. I've always loved learning about those times and that lifestyle ever since I was 9. If I was 9 in the medieval times, I'd be a page, cool.
December 23, 2009
This is an important book!
I have had fears about how to escape being entombed in a pyramid or how to defend myself against a sabretooth tiger. Finally "somepeople" get it right and have put together a survival manual in case you get sucked into a wormhole that takes you back in time or if you suffer from fear induced from a past life. How to joust? In there. How to survive imprisonment? Stay fit- stay mentally active. What happens if you stuck on a ship without wind? drink...
I don't know about you, but that wormhole thing has me staying up late at night. What if I get sucked back to 1981? At least now I have peace of mind. By reading the fear away, you could too.
I have had fears about how to escape being entombed in a pyramid or how to defend myself against a sabretooth tiger. Finally "somepeople" get it right and have put together a survival manual in case you get sucked into a wormhole that takes you back in time or if you suffer from fear induced from a past life. How to joust? In there. How to survive imprisonment? Stay fit- stay mentally active. What happens if you stuck on a ship without wind? drink...
I don't know about you, but that wormhole thing has me staying up late at night. What if I get sucked back to 1981? At least now I have peace of mind. By reading the fear away, you could too.
September 11, 2012
And now for something completely different. All my books are packed because I'm moving house in the next month or so and this one was still out.
It is silly, while factual and seemed to be fun. A very readable book broken down into small chunks with enough relevance to be interesting. As a filler between books and something to stop you feeling like you constantly read the same things, well worth it
It is silly, while factual and seemed to be fun. A very readable book broken down into small chunks with enough relevance to be interesting. As a filler between books and something to stop you feeling like you constantly read the same things, well worth it
June 21, 2012
This book is really funny. Every 2-3 pages is a different event with little side notes about the times or if you tried to do certain things now i.e. building the pyramids. It's full of odd information about weapons, clothes, health problems, animals etc. Not a book you're going to read in a couple of days but very good for a couple of minutes here and there.
March 2, 2016
Mildly amusing. I'll admit I didn't read one chapter - "How to Survive a Bayonet Charge". But I REALLY liked the one suggestion in "How to Survive on a Deserted Island": Don't try to spear fish - put your shirt on a forked stick and scoop them out.
April 11, 2013
This book helped me with a lot of survival tactics. Including how survive when your ship hits an iceberg or how to kill a saber toothed tiger.
Soooooooo comical and entertaining. Great coffee table book.
Soooooooo comical and entertaining. Great coffee table book.
July 16, 2007
it's a good way to learn history!
July 31, 2007
It has its funny bits (how to prove you're not a witch!). But it's a bit skimpy on the actual scenarios and too heavy on the generic historical narrative. Great for a quick vacation read.
October 17, 2007
Amusing, but somehow unsatisfying. Needs more depth to the stories and "how-to" sections. Great concept, somewhat weak execution. Still fun, though.
March 28, 2016
Really good, if short, review of history and the multitude of lessons it has to teach us. Unfortunately, most people are too busy talking about themselves to hear.
May 23, 2013
Not quite as good as the original, but still pretty darn interesting. I wonder if I would've done better in history class if the material was presented like this...
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews