History isn’t all dusty dates and serious faces—it’s also packed with ridiculous missteps, absurd moments, and epic blunders. Like REALLY EPIC blunders. That’s why Funny Books About History are such a joy to read. They take the often-boring tales of our past and add a much-needed dose of levity. These books show us that even kings, mathematicians, and scientists weren’t immune to a good old-fashioned faceplant. If you’re looking for a lighthearted way to learn about historical events, people and places, these hilarious reads are the perfect place to start. Check out my full reviews for a deeper dive on each!
| 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 | Absurd 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. |
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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. From the absurd to the 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 the most trivial of reasons to baffling scientific theories that set us back centuries. With sharp wit and 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 comically impractical ways possible. 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 absurd survival advice.
Cassidy’s blend of real history and ridiculous hypothetical strategies makes for a compelling, laugh-inducing 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 facts and humor. He makes history more fun than it has any right to be. It’s an ideal read for history lovers with a sense of humor who enjoy imagining how they might fare during the world’s most catastrophic events.
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. By exploring the very real, very funny consequences of mathematical mistakes, Parker brings a lighthearted approach to what might otherwise be considered dry subjects. From bridges collapsing due to minor calculation errors to the chaos caused by a misplaced decimal point in a rocket launch, Parker finds humor in the most unlikely places. Parker blends this humor with insight, showing just how much math impacts our daily lives. And how easily it can go wrong. Full of quirky examples, 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.)
Conclusion: Funny Books About History
History is full of humor, and these books barely scratch the surface of its hilarity. What did I miss? Have you read any funny history books that had you laughing while learning? Leave a comment with your favorites. I’d love to check out your suggestions and maybe even add them to my TBR list!
Scott Johnson is a Midwestern humorist, author of Essays Out of Left Field, and the mind behind scottjohnsonauthor.com. He’s also a husband, dad of three, and Data Systems Administrator (whatever that is). Scott is on a mission to find and read all the funny books. He shares his thoughts on those books, author life, and other delightful randomness with his readers on his website.
