Mavericks
Life stories and lessons of history's most extraordinary misfits
by Jenny Draper
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Pub Date 11 Feb 2025 | Archive Date 4 Feb 2025
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Description
TRUE STORIES OF THE TRAILBLAZING MISFITS YOUR SCHOOLBOOKS FORGOT TO MENTION
In her trademark witty and irreverent style, TikTok historian Jenny Draper introduces us to 24 fascinating figures sidelined by history. Learn from the trials and tribulations of inspiring mavericks such as:
- Noor Inayat Khan, a courageous secret agent dropped behind enemy lines in World War II
- Ellen and William Craft, a couple who made a daring escape from slavery in the American South
- Peter the Wild Boy, a child found living in the woods in Germany who was taken to the royal court in England
- La Chevalière d’Eon, a fencing master, spy and diplomat who came out as a woman in 18th-century London
- And many more ...
Break away from history as told through the lens of the rich and famous and discover a multitude of extraordinary characters you won’t forget!
“Shines a spotlight on a cast of impressive historic characters who deserve to be remembered.”
– Max Miller, YouTuber
“Jenny is a master-storyteller.”
– Jack Chesher, author of London: A Guide for Curious Wanderers
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781786788986 |
| PRICE | US$24.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 224 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Katie B, Reviewer
4 stars
I'm not familiar with Jenny Draper or her TikTok, but I'm a sucker for reading about the rulebreakers, scoundrels, and eccentrics of history. Mavericks accomplishes the goal of being highly educational and immensely amusing with several stories that you will have to read to believe. Draper also does a wonderful job of representation with several stories about queer people as well as people of color. It's an easy, breezy read that history fans can devour in a day. Who could ask for anything more?
Thank you to NetGalley and Watkins Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!
Kathryn M, Reviewer
I really enjoyed learning about new historical people and this had that charm that I enjoyed about nonfiction books. Jenny Draper was able to weave interesting stories and have interesting real people in history. It had that humor that I wanted and was glad I got to read this.
Reviewer 1543773
Written with a very fun sense of humor, this book is the kind of history book that's not purely for history buffs. The author shines a light on lesser known figures of history, some known a little bit by academics & others pretty much drowning in obscurity. There's a good balance between showing the hard reality of life for disadvantaged people & balancing it out with a more positive outlook on the progress/advancements these misfits managed to make.
I can't really pick a favorite chapter, not when I learned about such oddballs as:
- an illiterate woman who experienced vivid visions, and somehow managed to get her words recorded in a book (that seemingly survived in a single copy)
- a noblewoman who successfully defended her castle from invaders (with a sense of style)
- or learning about the Rebecca Rioters (who really, really hated tollbooths and did something about it)
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