History's Big Mistakes (History's Highlights)

by Chris Mould (Illustrator), Adam Bowett (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  1994

  $12.51

  This volume is one of a series that takes a slightly irreverent look at some of the more spectacular events and people through history. It questions whether the discovery of America was a big mistake? whether rabbits reaching Australia was another disaster and wonders at the scientist who wanted world peace and yet by mistake helped to create the most deadly war weapon of all. Each double-page spread takes one particular person or event and tells that story with historical background and evidence. Fact boxes provide further information. Some mistakes, like the sale of Alaska, turn out well. Others, like the building of the battleship Vasa, not so well. One man's mistake is often another's good luck. The episode of the Trojan Horse was disastrous for the Trojans, but very lucky for the Greeks. Bach was turned down as an organist by Hamburg but at Leipzig he composed most of his best work. Some of the stories are obvious, some less so, whilst questions are also posed to encourage the reader to question the premise of what's a serious mistake and what makes a hero?