100 de greșeli care au schimbat istoria

Bill Fawcett looks at 100 mistakes that changed history. Some made empires fall or wrecked their trade and wealth. Others shaped events across whole continents. This history book is for a broad range of readers. It suits those who like reading about failed plans and their effects.

The cases range from the Maginot Line to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Fawcett looks at Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. He also covers Baghdad’s caliphs, who had gone broke. He tells how the Aztecs welcomed Spanish conquerors. Mexico asked Americans to settle in Texas, another case. Rome’s need for barbarian troops is a case too.

Some tales show how efforts to help caused harm. One links cat deaths during the Black Death to more rats. People had killed the cats. Another looks at how Prohibition changed crime and drug use. Robberies and killings rose. People used cocaine, marijuana and other drugs in place of alcohol.

Fawcett covers mistakes in war and in private life. He aims to tell stories, not teach one grand lesson. He weighs past leaders’ faults against those of today’s politicians. People watch these politicians closely. He asks how people have moved forward despite making mistakes time after time. These twists in the past help frame a view of today.

Fawcett has worked as a teacher and a college dean. He has also worked as a business executive. He has written or co-written more than twelve books. He owns Bill Fawcett & Associates. He also co-founded Mayfair Games, a firm that makes games.