A Short History of the World in 50 Failures by Ben Gazur is an entertaining and informative book that looks at history through a unique lens. I had never really thought about how many times failures and happy accidents have changed the world before picking up this book, but the answer to that unasked question is actually quite often. The vast scope of the book which runs from prehistory to the modern age means that we are given just a short glimpse into some very interesting stories, and I think this book would serve as the perfect jumping off point for a deeper dive into the topics that most interest the reader. The writing is almost conversational in style, making the book both accessible and engaging.
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

For me personally, this became too many names and places, I got to 25% and just wasn’t taking anything in.
I’m annoyed as I love history, especially the lesser known.

Interesting stories, the style is readable enough, short chapter format. Just not for me at the moment.

Really interesting historical read. Perfectly written with enough information to be interesting and informative but without over complicating or overwhelming amounts of detail. This book can be read all in one go or enjoyed by dipping in out of chapters as when the mood takes. This sort of book makes a perfect gift particularly for people who like their facts.

This book has proved to be a totally unexpected delight. I enjoy non fiction and over the years I’ve read about numerous people and events that have shaped our world. I’ve never considered the perspective of how failure too has affected developments. Ben Gazur takes the reader on a voyage of discovery as we travel through time from the Roman era to present day, well the 20th century. His exploration of people and events is totally unique and this feels more like an unravelling adventure story rather than a potted history of the world. He has a gift for making a pan academic subject accessible and enjoyable and cleverly links developments as the book progresses. Really enjoyed this insight and the fact that it proves how we learn as much, if not more, from failure than success.

It’s perfectly natural to fear failure, but "A Short History of the World in 50 Failures" by Niall Ferguson offers a comforting and enlightening perspective on how our setbacks, missteps, and even disasters have profoundly shaped human history.

This book is anything but a monotonous recounting of past events. Ferguson, a respected historian, skillfully crafts engaging narratives, connecting threads between seemingly unrelated happenings. He takes us from the fall of the Roman Empire to the dawn of the internet, showing how failures—both major and minor—have often served as stepping stones toward progress and innovation.

What makes this book truly shine is Ferguson's engaging writing style. He possesses a remarkable gift for storytelling, making complex historical events not just accessible but also enjoyable. You’ll find yourself absorbed in tales of misguided military campaigns, failed inventions, and political blunders, feeling the weight of those moments while also recognizing their significance.

By shedding light on failures, Ferguson invites us to reconsider traditional narratives of progress. He emphasizes the importance of learning from our mistakes, prompting us to reflect on our own lives and the nature of success and failure. His insights can be deeply thought-provoking, encouraging conversations about how we can embrace these lessons personally.

Spanning diverse times and places, "A Short History of the World in 50 Failures" offers a rich, global perspective on the impact of human error. It’s an essential read for anyone with a passion for history, culture, or human behavior. If you enjoy thought-provoking non-fiction that challenges conventional wisdom, you will find this book captivating.

Ultimately, "A Short History of the World in 50 Failures" is a poignant exploration of how failure has shaped our world. It serves as a gentle reminder that setbacks are a natural part of progress, and even the most significant mistakes can lead to unexpected breakthroughs.

A Short History of The World in 50 Failures Ben Gazar

5 stars

A really interesting book

This book really appealed to me and I wasnt disappointed. I thought this was such an interesting concept and found it so easy to read as it was in bite sized chunks.

Starting from The Ancient World up until 1973 it describes events in history most of which I had heard of but in many cases had no idea how history could have been changed. Fascinating facts some of which were quite frightening. The one that stood out for me, was, when without the intervention of Stanislav Petrovl, none of us born before 1983 in this country would be here today! Terrifying stuff,

I thoroughly recommend this book, I really enjoyed it.

Karen Deborah
NetGalley

An excellent history of the world, choosing important events throughout whilst presenting them in a slightly different manner.
It can be read through and even if the reader hadn't read any history books before, they would have enough knowledge to start a conversation.
I had plenty of smiles while reading the book. I loved it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A very interesting little book on ‘failures’ in history that would have completely changed the world had they gone differently. The 50 instances go right through from ancient times to recent history and there’s an interesting mix of countries. Each section is fairly short and concise so it’s an excellent book to dip into and would make a lovely Christmas present for anyone with an interest in history.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

A book of historical ‘What ifs’. What if Darwin had become a doctor in the family tradition? Or Napoleon had conquered Russia, which he failed to do? If the Boston tea party hadn’t happened, would Britain still control North America? A fascinating collection of historical incidents that led to great changes in the world.

My thanks to Michael O Mara publishing and NetGalley for a copy of “ A Short History Of The World In 50 Failures “ for an honest review.

I enjoyed Ben Gazur’s previous couple of books and this didn’t disappoint.I found it interesting and entertaining and I enjoy his style of writing.Its the perfect book to dip in and out of .
It’s good to know when something doesn’t go to plan things can always come right in the end !
Well worth a read !