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10 Mistakes That Changed History
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  • Published: 1 December 2026
  • ISBN: 9781804996485
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $26.99

10 Mistakes That Changed History

The Reckless Rulers, Monumental Mishaps and Disastrous Decisions That Have Shaped Our World.

Formats & editions
Paperback
1 Dec 2026
Tr. Paperback
10 June 2025
Hardback
5 July 2025
EBook
5 June 2025
Audiobook
5 June 2025
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A comic tour of history’s greatest mistakes and how they have shaped our world, packed with reckless rulers, hare-brained plans, monumental mistakes and disastrous accidents.

From breakups that ended empires to naps that sank ships, 10 Mistakes That Changed History is a hilarious retelling of the overlooked historical errors that have shaped our world.

Featuring many of the biggest characters and events in history, from Cleopatra to the sinking of the Titanic, comedian and historian Paul Coulter reframes our understanding of these pivotal moments.

Packed full of surprising facts and funny stories, this is the greatest hits of bad leadership decisions, misguided acts of heroism and mankind’s most catastrophic lapses of judgement. All with monumental consequences.

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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.

'So engaging and entertaining that forgot I was there to review it.' Theatre Weekly

'Entertaining and informative.' Edinburgh Reporter

'The perfect balance between entertaining and educating.' Corr Blimey

'Coulter cleverly weaves the well-researched facts with modern day parallels; turning historical figures into relatable misfits.' Glam Adelaide

'Coulter’s storytelling unmatched, and his references to current pop culture relevant and hilarious.' Edinburgh Fringe Review

'Infectiously charming.' LondonTheatre1

'A hilarious blend of storytelling, facts and comedy.' On the Record

  • Published: 1 December 2026
  • ISBN: 9781804996485
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $26.99

About the author

Paul Coulter

Paul Coulter is a British comedian and historian based in Sydney, Australia. Paul is the writer and performer behind the Edinburgh Festival Fringe smash-hit, sell-out historical storytelling comedy show 5 Mistakes That Changed History. The show was a huge hit on the comedy festival circuit, selling out two years in a row at both the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2023 and 2024. Popular with both history-loving audiences and critics alike, 5 Mistakes That Changed History received fantastic reviews and was named one of the 'Picks of the Fringe'. Originally from Dorset, Paul is a history fanatic and read history at University College London. In 2025, Paul will be bringing his unique blend of history, storytelling and comedy to major comedy and history festivals around the world.
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Praise for 10 Mistakes That Changed History

Coulter is the British history teacher you wish you had in high school.

On the Record

Engaging. passionate and quirky, these tales come together to prove history is anything but dull.

Scottish Mail on Sunday