What Were They Thinking?: Really Bad Ideas Throughout History

Rating:
Summary: A Humorous Look at Some Bad Ideas.
Review: "What Were They Thinking?" by Bruce Felton is a humorous look at bad ideas throughout history. Given the subject, it is easy to see that this is not a complete collection, and one could easily imagine that it will develop into a series of books. The book has several sections and covers many areas such as: politics, the arts, popular culture, war and peace, science, sports, business, etc... Mixed in with the stories of people trying to implement bad ideas are lists of bad ideas such as cars, books, movies, etc, and ill-advised quotes. Some of the "bad ideas" are fairly well known, some are actually urban legends, and others are much more obscure.

This is not a great book, but it is fun, and it certainly does not demand to be read in one sitting. Rather it seems well suited to picking it up occasionally and reading the selections that catch one's eye. This book is an above average selection, and worthwhile for those looking for some light reading.

Rating:
Summary: It saved my life!
Review: Reading the information author Felton so entertainiingly reveals, I am constantly stunned at the uniqueness and weirdness of the human mind. This book can truly save lives, especially on bad days. While laughing out loud you will accept that your situation is preferable to what is shockingly shown.

Rating:
Summary: What was the author thinking?
Review: Really BAD ideas throughout history. A collection of tales, some of which really look like urban legends, which show that intelligence in the human species tends to be rather scattered. However, some of the tales told out of context when looked at with a little bit of sympathy could easily be construed as the best the persons involved could come up with at that time and in that circumstance. It does make for interesting bathroom reading, somewhat like reading a joke book or a book of trivia.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaing if a little short on detail
Review: Some people are blunderers, and some people are just plain stupid. Mr. Felton makes no judgement on the level of intelligence of each individual, group of people or nation. He just tells the story like it is, and lets the reader judge for her/himself. The book divides up into fifteen separate categories including government blunders, cultural blunders, and the ubiquitous "dumb crook" blunders. A laugh on every page, and a reason to thank God that you haven't been as stupid. Or at least that you haven't been caught being as stupid...