Scan barcode
Reviews
How They Choked: Failures, Flops, and Flaws of the Awfully Famous by Kevin O'Malley, Georgia Bragg
miaricks's review against another edition
3.0
Perhaps it was listening to the book instead of reading it, but I found the book a little too much this time. While I enjoyed "How They Croaked" and thought it was humorously sarcastic, "How They Choked" seemed more rudely sarcastic. It was interesting seeing a different side to famous people who are usually admired, but I found myself almost petulantly refusing to admire them less.
The point was to see the human side of some people who are larger than life, and I appreciated that but I also would rather see more positive with the negative.
The point was to see the human side of some people who are larger than life, and I appreciated that but I also would rather see more positive with the negative.
sc104906's review against another edition
3.0
This book discusses several failures throughout history, that weren't exactly failures and were part of a successful person's path in life. Some of these failures are well known and obvious, while others are new twists on historical events. It was a fun, quick, historical, nonfiction.
craftingcatlady's review against another edition
5.0
A good read, and new perspective on how our history’s heroes had their flaws and failures that led to some being down right awful!!
pwbalto's review
5.0
Chapters with titles like "Oops, there go the Aztecs" (Montezuma II) and "Stinker, traitor, soldier, spy" (Benedict Arnold) tell the stories of failures by famous folks well-intentioned (Susan B), not-too-bright (Shoeless Joe), delusional or damaged (van Gogh, Newton), or just plain terrible (Bruce Ismay, owner of the White Star Line).
I ran into Kevin O'Malley, illustrator of this book and its predecessor How They Croaked, the day after I read How They Choked and his comment was, "Thomas Edison - guy was a prick!"
I ran into Kevin O'Malley, illustrator of this book and its predecessor How They Croaked, the day after I read How They Choked and his comment was, "Thomas Edison - guy was a prick!"
alissabar's review
4.0
This book is just as good as her first one, [b:How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous|9111463|How They Croaked The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous|Georgia Bragg|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317065687s/9111463.jpg|13989925]. I have decided that I will read every history book this author writes! I learn so much from each chapter which is condensed information from each famous person's life without all the boring details. This book was filled with people's not-so-great decisions and sometimes the good things that came from it (Marco Polo's life story being written down during his imprisonment,) or the just the awful consequences that followed (i.e. J. Bruce Ismay's decisions that led to the sinking of the titanic.) I also read about people like Thomas Alva Edison, Ferdinand Magellan, and Isaac Newton, which I thought were wonderful people, I mean, look what they accomplished, right?, And now I'm not so sure I would have liked to have met them in real life. And you would never catch me taking a ride in a plane with Amelia Earhart, that's for sure. Fascinating book. Keep them coming Ms. Bragg!!
mjoylewis's review
4.0
I thought that this book in many ways shed light on the imperfections of mankind as a whole. I think too that this book showed that they way that someone is remembered in history or later in time is not always aligned with the complete truth. I think that this book would be a great complimentary anchor piece during a social studies unit of sorts to help with character analysis. It gives accomplishments a different perspective and shows that accomplishments are not without their trials (and sometimes failures). I think this could be used to help teach perspective and tone. Although, I would not encourage the way that the author puts down the people in history. I never think it is good to focus on the flaws. The author sets a very clear, sometimes derogatory tone throughout the book. However, I think it could be a useful tool in showing students how to use words and craft pieces of writing to support your opinion. This book could be used to teach argument.
yapha's review
3.0
A little too snarky and off the cuff about some of the history presented. The tone may hold the interest of some readers, but will be off-putting to others.