The Great Big Book of Horrible Things

The Great Big Book of Horrible Things ranks and analyzes history's 100 deadliest atrocities based on death toll. Matthew White, a federal courthouse librarian, compiled this comprehensive chronicle after years of research and data analysis. The book presents each atrocity in chronological order, focusing on armed conflicts and their associated famines and diseases. White's research methodology involves gathering data from multiple sources to establish consensus estimates for death tolls, while acknowledging the inherent challenges in achieving universal agreement on statistics. The text includes examinations of major historical events like World War II, the An Lushan Rebellion, and the Khmer Rouge regime. Steven Pinker, noted psychologist and author, provides the book's foreword. Through its systematic analysis of human conflict, the book offers insights into the nature of violence, governance, and social breakdown throughout history. The work challenges common assumptions about which forms of government or social structures are most likely to produce mass casualties.

Readers value the book's systematic approach to ranking and analyzing history's deadliest events. Many appreciate White's conversational tone and dark humor when discussing grim topics, with one reader noting it "makes the horrific statistics digestible." Readers highlight the detailed research, helpful maps, and clear explanations of complex historical events. Several point to the "atrocitology" ranking system as a useful framework for understanding historical scale. Common criticisms include: - Too Western/Eurocentric focus - Some statistics questioned for accuracy - Occasional flippant tone seen as inappropriate - Lacks depth on certain major events Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (280+ ratings) "A morbidly fascinating reference book," writes one Amazon reviewer. "The author's dry wit keeps you engaged through what could be overwhelming subject matter," notes another. Several readers mention using it as a jumping-off point for deeper historical research.

A History of Warfare by John Keegan A comprehensive examination of warfare's impact on civilizations from ancient to modern times, detailing the mechanisms and consequences of human conflict.

Death by Government by R.J. Rummel A statistical and historical analysis of mass killings perpetrated by governments throughout the twentieth century.

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Shirer A chronicle of Nazi Germany's ascent to power and subsequent destruction, based on captured documents and firsthand accounts.

Blood and Power by Frank McLynn An investigation of twenty of history's most notorious dictators and the systems that enabled their acts of violence and oppression.

War Without Mercy by John W. Dower An examination of the racial and psychological aspects of the Pacific War between Japan and the United States during World War II.

🔍 White spent over a decade meticulously researching historical casualty figures, consulting over 3,000 sources across multiple languages 📚 The term "democide" - death by government - appears frequently in the book, accounting for approximately 262 million deaths in the 20th century alone 🗡️ The An Lushan Rebellion (755-763 CE) in China ranks as one of the deadliest conflicts, with an estimated 36 million casualties, making it proportionally more devastating than World War II relative to world population 📊 The book reveals that the 20th century, despite its technological advances, was historically the most violent century, accounting for roughly 55% of all deaths covered in the book 🌍 White's analysis shows that famine and disease associated with conflicts often caused more deaths than direct combat, with some events seeing up to 80% of casualties from these secondary effects