Binding: Paperback
Date Published: 05 Jun 2025
We all make mistakes, but rarely do they change the course of human history. From break-ups that ended empires to naps that sank ships, 10 Mistakes That Changed History is the hilarious retelling of some of the greatest episodes in the story of humankind.
Looking at many of the biggest characters and events of the last two and a half thousand years, from Cleopatra to the sinking of the Titanic, historian and comedian Paul Coulter explores how, despite the glamour, entourages and deity-sized egos, historical turning points were often the result of very human errors.
Blending history, storytelling and comedy, 10 Mistakes That Changed History is history as you wish you had learned it back at school: a greatest-hits of bad leadership decisions, misguided acts of heroism and catastrophic lapses of judgement.
These are the stories that have shaped our world, all with monumental consequences. Because sometimes it's nice to know that, no matter how bad your day is, the greatest names in history stuffed up too.
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Praise for the hit live show:
Top pick of the Edinburgh Fringe 2024, credited as one of the best shows by Scottish Herald, Mervyn Stutter and the Edinburgh Reporter.
Theatre Weekly So engaging and entertaining that forgot I was there to review it
Edinburgh Reporter Entertaining and informative
Corr Blimey The perfect balance between entertaining and educating
Glam Adelaide Coulter cleverly weaves the well-researched facts with modern day parallels; turning historical figures into relatable misfits
Edinburgh Fringe Review Coulter's storytelling unmatched, and his references to current pop culture relevant and hilarious
LondonTheatre1 Infectiously charming
On the Record A hilarious blend of storytelling, facts and comedy