Marco Polo. George Custer. Amelia Earhart. What do they have in common? All of them - despite their fame and accomplishments - made some pretty big mistakes, and some of these mistakes were so big they got them killed. How They Choked tells the story of fourteen famous people and their mistakes, flaws, and failures, all with the intention of knocking these big names off their pedestals. Isaac Newton was the greatest thinker of his time, but nearly poisoned himself dabbling in the illegal practice of alchemy. Thomas Edison invented lots of great things, but never learned how people are wired. Amelia Earhart was used to flying by the seat of her pants, when a little cautious preparation for her last flight might have saved her life. How They Choked is written for a grade school audience, but might be better for older and more sophisticated readers. It's also the kind of kids' book that even adults will enjoy - a concise, cleverly-written overview of history, and an irreverent takedown of some of its biggest names. - Michelle (Sunset)
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