Bad Days in History: A Gleefully Grim Chronicle of Misfortune, Mayhem, and Misery for Every Day of the Year

By Michael Farquhar

National Geographic and author Michael Farquhar uncover an instance of bad luck, epic misfortune, and unadulterated mayhem tied to every day of the year. From Caligula's blood-soaked end to hotelier Steve Wynn's unfortunate run-in with a priceless Picasso, these 365 tales of misery include lost fortunes (like the would-be Apple investor who pulled out in 1977 and missed out on a $30 billion-dollar windfall), romance gone wrong (like the 16th-century Shah who experimented with an early form of Viagra with empire-changing results), and truly bizarre moments (like the Great Molasses Flood of 1919). Think you're having a bad day? Trust us, it gets worse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Release date: Apr 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781426212802

Michael Farquhar

Michael Farquhar, a former writer and editor at The Washington Post, is the bestselling author of numerous books, including the critically acclaimed Behind the Palace Doors and Secret Lives of the Tsars, as well as the popular Penguin "Treasury" series: A Treasury of Royal Scandals, A Treasury of Great American Scandals, A Treasury of Deception, and A Treasury of Foolishly Forgotten Americans. He lives in Washington, D.C.

Reviews for Bad Days in History

[navarre1963 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So you think you're having a bad day? Everyday is a bad day for someone, and according to this book, some people have had spectacularly bad days. The book is grimly funny, and full of little known factsto keep the most trivia minded people happy.

[Marc Wilson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Couldn't get enough of this book, it'll make you question how the human race has managed to get this far while having a giggle.