Napoleon's Hemorrhoids … and Other Small Events That Changed History

This was a book of unrelated trivia. I have no idea if any or most of the trivia was based on facts. For example, the first story simply said the Battle of Waterloo was fought 6 hours late because Napoleon's was soaking his "piles." That was it! I'm not sure it altered let alone changed history. I thought I would do a little research and there are lots of reputable organizations that claim "considerable indication that Napoleon was bothered by very painful thrombosed hemorrhoids." (NIH National Library of Medicine) This book also stated that Napoleon probably died in St. Helena of an infected ulcer. I have read that numerous times before. The book was really a waste of time, don't know why I finished it! 268 pages

Lots of interesting facts and information but there isn't enough background or history on any of the subjects to make any part memorable or valuable. The book talks about how coincidences, misunderstandings and/or unexpected events may or may not have had impactful consequences in history. Each chapter covers a general topic and is filled with back-to-back stories on the theme.

Napoleon's Haemorrhoids is a book of anecdotes of chances, circumstances and coincidences that changed history. Written from a British perspective, it focuses on western Europe and the US, and covers areas from history, politics and war, to sports, arts, scientific and technological discovery and innovation, and the business world.

This is a quirky, quick read. If even half the anecdotes are true, it's a fascinating look at what might have been, what nearly wasn't, and what was but for an entirely different reason than you might have learned in school. Aside from a few sports anecdotes, it's completely accessible to a non-Brit. (There are a merciful two cricket references, a completely incomprehensible game to the uninitiated!) show more Recommended for history buffs and trivia fans. show less

Rapid-fire, brief trivia. This is apparently for an English audience as the pop culture/political/sports content is like a Brit takeover of a 90's NYT crossword puzzle.