Where to find directory of morbid historical facts?

February 2, 2006 1:05 PM

Cynic Filter: Anyone have a lead on an online directory of morbid historical facts? Worst tyrant, worst battle, worst choices, worst plague, worst King - that sort of thing.

I'm sure someone has put something like this together, but I can't seem to find it. I know there was a book published called something like a Cynic's Guide to History - but I would prefer an online version.

posted by theinsectsarewaiting to society & culture (7 comments total)

This site seems designed more for kids, but it looks kind of interesting:

Foul Facts Gallery: Terrible Tudors, Vile Victorians
posted by ND¢ at 1:15 PM on February 2, 2006

you would probably like the daily rotten and the rotten library
posted by yeahyeahyeahwhoo at 1:25 PM on February 2, 2006

You want Matthew White's Historical Atlas of the 20th Century, particularly the section on war, where he lists the 30 worst atrocities, 15 bloodiest wars, and tyrants by # killed.
posted by Brian James at 1:29 PM on February 2, 2006

There is a book written just for you.

It is called The Pessimist's Guide To History : An Irresistible Compendium Of Catastrophes, Barbarities, Massacres And Mayhem From The Big Bang To The New Millennium

My experience reading it has made me think differently (higher) about the Greeks. Between all the earthquakes, volcano eruptions and tsunamis, how did they ever get any of this "Western Civilization" stuff done?
posted by blindcarboncopy at 3:50 PM on February 2, 2006

Morbid Fact Du Jour!
posted by soplerfo at 4:21 PM on February 2, 2006

BoingBoing contributor Mark Frauenfelder wrote a book called THE WORLD'S WORST: A Guide to the Most Disgusting, Hideous, Inept and Dangerous, People, Places and Things on Earth. Here's an exerpt.
posted by mbrubeck at 4:56 PM on February 2, 2006

Thanks, folks. You've given me all the deliciously morbid direction I need.
posted by theinsectsarewaiting at 4:43 AM on February 3, 2006