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bookwormjimmy's review
informative
slow-paced
2.5
If you think you're having a bad day, there's probably someone else in history who has had an even worse day. And that's exactly what Farquhar attempts to inform the reader about in this comical yet deadly serious collection of anecdotes for every day of the year. There were a few new things I learned, a few things that I had already learned about much more in depth, and a bunch of things that I promptly forgot because the content was really not at all that interesting.
If we were still in the 90s, this might serve as a good bathroom reader book to leave for your guests to peruse. But otherwise, unless you really want to learn about every terrible day in history, I'd suggest finding a subject you're interested in and reading about that min depth.
If we were still in the 90s, this might serve as a good bathroom reader book to leave for your guests to peruse. But otherwise, unless you really want to learn about every terrible day in history, I'd suggest finding a subject you're interested in and reading about that min depth.
jbkep's review against another edition
3.0
Big thanks to Goodreads for me winning this book. This is a fun, daily chronicle of bag things that have happened in history. I happily looked up birthdays for my friends and family as soon as I received the book to spread the bad news.
The author does an excellent job in his Introduction explaining exactly what he means by 'Gleefully Grim.' He even keeps to that definition throughout the book except for two dates: Sept. 11 and Dec. 7. I refuse to believe that nothing that fit the category of 'gleefully grim' happened on those two days and I'm disappointed that he chose to stay solemn. Most definitely those days should be honored in real life, but not in this book.
That complaint aside, perhaps if/when I get around to rereading it, I can treat it like the one-a-day calendar I wanted to: a dose of unpleasantness for every day of the year.
The author does an excellent job in his Introduction explaining exactly what he means by 'Gleefully Grim.' He even keeps to that definition throughout the book except for two dates: Sept. 11 and Dec. 7. I refuse to believe that nothing that fit the category of 'gleefully grim' happened on those two days and I'm disappointed that he chose to stay solemn. Most definitely those days should be honored in real life, but not in this book.
That complaint aside, perhaps if/when I get around to rereading it, I can treat it like the one-a-day calendar I wanted to: a dose of unpleasantness for every day of the year.
devlavaca's review against another edition
funny
informative
fast-paced
4.25
Of the genre of "list of funny things that happened in history," this one is a good contender and at least well-written.
duvyna's review
4.0
I like this book, it's not really a book you just sit down and read cover to cover. Historical events are given in bite sized pieces. The book jumps around to different periods which some people may not care for but I didn't have a problem with.
matheamae's review
5.0
This book had me jaw dropping more than another book I've ever read ... It fueled the history nerd in me and was also very ADHD friendly with the short subjects! I loved the humor, loved the illustrations, my only complaint was I couldn't read it fast enough
jmrprice's review against another edition
3.0
beef up your trivia databanks.... excellent nuggets covering events throughout history, large and small