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How to Survive History: How to Outrun a Tyrannosaurus, Escape Pompeii, Get Off the Titanic, and Survive the Rest of History's Deadliest Catastrophes Paperback – June 13, 2023

by Cody Cassidy (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 172 ratings
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A detailed guide to surviving history’s most challenging threats, from outrunning dinosaurs to making it off the Titanic alive

History is the most dangerous place on earth. From dinosaurs the size of locomotives to meteors big enough to sterilize the planet, from famines to pandemics, from tornadoes to the Chicxulub asteroid, the odds of human survival are slim but not zero—at least, not if you know where to go and what to do.

In each chapter of How to Survive History, Cody Cassidy explores how to survive one of history’s greatest threats: getting eaten by dinosaurs, being destroyed by the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs, succumbing to the lava flows of Pompeii, being devoured by the Donner Party, drowning during the sinking of the Titanic, falling prey to the Black Death, and more. Using hindsight and modern science to estimate everything from how fast you’d need to run to outpace a T. rex to the advantages of different body types in surviving the Donner Party tragedy, Cassidy gives you a detailed battle plan for survival, helping you learn about the era at the same time.

History may be the most dangerous place on earth, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit. You can, and you should. And with a copy of How to Survive History in your back pocket, you just might make it out alive.
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  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Books
  4. Publication date
    June 13, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    5.44 x 0.59 x 8.22 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0143136402
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0143136408
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"...An insightful and entertaining look at 15 of the most catastrophic events in world history...A crisp blend of humor, history, and science, this is a crowd pleaser.” –Publishers Weekly

“Highly entertaining . . . Graphs, graphics, and other images make fun, invaluable additions to the text. Not only will this be perfect for those interested in history, humor, and popular science, its highly conversational tone and handy graphs and images will highly appeal to teen readers.” –Booklist

About the Author

Cody Cassidy is the author of Who Ate the First Oyster? and co-author of And Then You’re Dead. His writing has appeared in Wired and Slate, along many other publications. He lives in San Francisco

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books (June 13, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0143136402
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0143136408
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.44 x 0.59 x 8.22 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 172 ratings

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Cody Cassidy

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
172 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book very enjoyable, delightful, and fun. They also say it's informative and the subjects are interesting enough.

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ReadabilityInformation quality
6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, delightful, and fun. They also say it's interesting and pick up some historical information.

"...I found it interesting and picked up some historical information I didn't know. It's not deep, but it's an interesting read...." Read more

"This is ideal bathroom literature. The subjects are interesting enough even when you never thought you cared...." Read more

"...A great read." Read more

"...Very enjoyable." Read more

5 customers mention "Information quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very informative, interesting, and easy to read. They also say it's about historic catastrophic events.

"...I found it interesting and picked up some historical information I didn't know. It's not deep, but it's an interesting read...." Read more

"...There's lots of interesting information that's not too gory, and doesn't go too deep into details...." Read more

"This is ideal bathroom literature. The subjects are interesting enough even when you never thought you cared...." Read more

"Easy reading with interesting facts about historic catastrophic events. Very enjoyable." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

None
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2024
Verified Purchase
If you're familiar with books by Mary Roach, this one has a similar feel. I found it interesting and picked up some historical information I didn't know. It's not deep, but it's an interesting read. It's presented as "how to survive" this or that historical event, but the book actually has a lot information about the events themselves. I recommend it.
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Megan
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, albeit not too deep
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2024
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Are you an aspiring time traveler looking for a thrill? Then you'll want How to Survive History, which provides a broad overview of a handful of major historical events.

For example, you'll learn how you (might) outrun a T-rex, or take down a wooly mammoth (and live!) If you prefer more modern settings, you can learn how to survive Rome's downfall or the sack of Constantinople, and maybe even save a few extra scrolls from the library that idiot Mehmed and his army burned.

Or perhaps you would like to learn how you might survive the Titanic? The 1906 San Francisco earthquake?

If you're more enterprising, you might be interested in piracy on the high seas, or traveling with Magellan.

How to Survive History is an easy, breezy read. It's something I probably would have read when I was 13. There's lots of interesting information that's not too gory, and doesn't go too deep into details. That said, if something catches your eye in particular, the book provides more than enough sources and key terms for you to go look for yourself. (If you're a good time traveler, you should be doing that anyway.)

I'm going to go find me a wooly mammoth. I always wondered what they taste like. Wish me luck!
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e s r
4.0 out of 5 stars Factoids
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2023
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This is ideal bathroom literature. The subjects are interesting enough even when you never thought you cared. The writing is good and combines humor with the history. There are two books. Get both. Incidentally, I do not use the ereader in the bathroom. Water is the enemy of electronics. These books are less expensive if they fall in.
6 people found this helpful
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Warm Boat Guy
5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2023
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It only took a couple chapters and I learned that I wouldn't survive history. A great read.
4 people found this helpful
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Pat Bridgewater
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2023
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This book gave some scientific explanations about ancient situations in chronological order, starting with a T Rex, the Ice Age and the Black Death, and many more. The author answers the question: how to survive? I really enjoyed reading this book!
5 people found this helpful
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Christine Gentes
5.0 out of 5 stars Save Yourself from History
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2023
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Did you ever wonder if you could outrun a T-Rex, escape from Pompeii after the volcanic eruption or live the life of a pirate? This book is for you. There are 15 different epic events covered in this book and there’s an escape route for each. The most fun I’ve had reading a book in a while.
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Hendirks
5.0 out of 5 stars I learned so much!
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2023
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My 9-year old son and I read this together and we learned so much about science and history without it feeling dull. Highly recommend this book!
One person found this helpful
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cooperkat10
3.0 out of 5 stars So-So
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2023
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Wasn't quite as good as I expected. Some sections were entertaining others not so much.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Falco1
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in Canada on January 30, 2024
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I really enjoyed this book, it’s well written and full of true facts! I’m ready to take on the past if it was possible. Read it if you like history and even if you don’t!
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Marilyn R Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars Love the balance of tongue in cheek humor with science!
Reviewed in Canada on November 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
This is a really fun read. It takes things in history, throws in some science, and tells it all tongue in cheek. Enjoyed it so much I am giving some as gifts in Xmas stockings too.
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André
4.0 out of 5 stars Très intéressant
Reviewed in Canada on December 1, 2023
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Utile lors d’un tour en DeLorean
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Danomcd
5.0 out of 5 stars My teenager sons LOVE IT
Reviewed in Canada on March 11, 2024
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What a great series! My son's (age 12 and 14) can't stop reading these novels.
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Carolyn
5.0 out of 5 stars Witty, Humorous, Disturbing account about some of the world's worst disasters
Reviewed in Canada on July 15, 2023
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If you were to rent a time machine and travel back in time, this book will warn you of the catastrophes and dangers to avoid. Using written details from the time periods and input from the world's leading experts, the author presents possible survival methods faithful to what we know about these historical calamities. If you should want to witness these destructive and dangerous events, or should the time machine malfunction and place you in the path of probable death, this is a serious attempt to guide you on the best path for safety. The author uses hindsight and modern science and vividly describes eras and locations from research in historical detail. Some of these events you may have learned in school, but they only skimmed the surface. For example, I still remember studying about Magellan's circumnavigation of the globe, but it was presented as heroic rather than horrific.

Research into science and medical opinion at the time of many of these disasters, along with modern scientific opinion today, makes this a fascinating and informative read. Sometimes survival depended on small choices, for example, running in a zig-zag manner, following a path branching right rather than left, knowing who to align with, what food and drink are safe, avoiding any medicines or doctors in many eras, and nearby places least affected by the calamity.

The book is informative in its historical detail, which describes in detail some of the greatest catastrophes and threats to life. For example, how to escape from a ravenous dinosaur, how to survive the asteroid that lead to the extinction of dinosaurs, how to live in the Ice Age, being forced to build the pyramids, living through the darkest year in the Dark Ages, surviving the Black Death, joining a pirate crew on Blackbeard's ship. These and many others provide the reader with compelling facts and survival strategies you may thankfully never need.

Told in easy-to-understand language through facts, knowledge and some informed speculation, this is a witty, humorous and disturbing account of some of history's most deadly and disturbing events.
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