Funny Books About History (No, Really, They Actually Exist)

I’m not a history buff. But I am a funny buff. (Probably not the right way to say that.) So if you’re going to teach me some history, you’d better make it funny! And believe it or not, there are such books that accomplish that unliekly trick. Turns out, history isn’t all dusty dates and serious faces. Apparently, it’s also packed with ridiculous missteps, absurd moments, and epic blunders. Like REALLY EPIC blunders. The books below demonstrate that even kings, mathematicians, and scientists weren’t immune to a good old-fashioned faceplant. Check out my list of Funny Books about History.

Book Title	Author	Why It’s Funny
Humans: A Brief History of How We F’d It All Up	Tom Phillips	Hilarious look at humanity’s most ridiculous historical blunders.
How to Survive History	Cody Cassidy	Ridiculous, but theoretically realistic survival strategies for history’s deadliest catastrophes.
Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World	Matt Parker	Hilarious stories of math mistakes with real-world consequences.
SNAFU: The Definitive Guide to History’s Greatest Screwups	Ed Helms	Sharp humor and creative illustrations about historical hiccups.

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1. Humans: A Brief History of How We F’d It All Up

Most history books tell the stories of great leaders and victorious battles. But Tom Phillips takes a different route. In Humans: A Brief History of How We F’d It All Up, he dives into the spectacularly dumb mistakes we’ve made along the way. Many are truly cringe-worthy! Phillips brings a refreshing sense of humor to the darkest corners of history. The book examines everything from disastrous wars fought over trivial reasons to baffling scientific theories that set us back centuries. With an eye for the ridiculous, Phillips delivers a hilarious reminder that we may not be as evolved as we think. It’s the perfect read for anyone who enjoys a good laugh at humanity’s expense, without feeling too bad about it. And yes, based on the title, you can expect hefty dose of colorful language, often used to lambaste these historical characters referenced.

2. How to Survive History: How to Outrun a Tyrannosaurus, Escape Pompeii, Get Off the Titanic, and Survive the Rest of History’s Deadliest Catastrophes

Ever thought about how you’d survive a brush with disaster in history? Cody Cassidy’s How to Survive History answers that question in the most comical, but somewhat-realistic ways. This book tackles history’s deadliest events and inserts you (theoretically) into the chaos. Do you want to know what it was like escaping the eruption of Mount Vesuvius? How about evading a T. rex on the hunt? Or getting off the Titanic with your life? Each scenario provides hilariously survival advice.

Cassidy combines real history with ridiculous hypothetical strategies. This makes for a compelling, hilarious journey through the worst moments in time. While none of his suggestions are likely to save your life in the event of a dinosaur attack, the book serves up a mix of strange historical facts and humor. He makes history more fun than it has any right to be.

3. Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World

Hey wait – this sounds like a math book instead of a history book! Both are correct. In Humble Pi, Matt Parker reveals the hilarious world of numbers and equations – and their impacts throughout history. He explores the very real, very funny consequences of mathematical mistakes. Parker brings a lighthearted approach to what might otherwise be considered dry subjects (YUCK, MATH!) The book covers bridges collapsing due to minor calculation errors and the chaos caused by a misplaced decimal point in a rocket launch. Parker finds humor in the most unlikely places and shows us just how much math impacts our daily lives. And how easily it can go wrong. Humble Pi is for anyone who’s ever found themselves scratching their head over a math problem and wondering how it all went so wrong. (Personally guilty on many occasions.)

4. SNAFU: The Definitive Guide to History’s Greatest Screwups

In SNAFU: The History of the Military Screw-Up, Ed Helms dives into the long (and ridiculous) tradition of armies getting it spectacularly wrong. Botched battle plans, logistical nightmares, and commanders who really should’ve read the map first. Helms highlights the chaos that unfolds when human error meets the high stakes of war. He brings his comedic timing to stories that could otherwise feel grim.

Conclusion: Funny Books About History

So maybe I could become a history buff after all? As long as you highlight the funny, embarrassing, ridiculous blunders of history. Apparently, history is full of humor, and these books are enlightening and entertaining examples.

What did I miss? Are there actually MORE funny books about history? Leave a comment with your favorites. I’d love to check out your suggestions and add them to my TBR list!