How They Choked cover art

How They Choked

Failures, Flops, and Flaws of the Awfully Famous

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How They Choked

By: Georgia Bragg, Kevin O'Malley - Illustrator
Narrated by: L. J. Ganser
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About this listen

Over the course of history, famous people made mistakes that were so monumental they could never escape them, no matter how brilliant their successes! Ferdinand Magellan is credited as the first man to sail around the world...but he only actually made it halfway. His terrible treatment of everyone he met cut his life journey short. Queen Isabella of Spain is remembered for financing Columbus' expeditions - and for creating the Spanish Inquisition. J. Bruce Ismay commissioned the unsinkable marvel of the sea, the Titanic - and then jumped the line of women and children to escape death on a lifeboat. Listeners will be fascinated well past the final curtain and will empathize with the flawed humanity of these achievers. Famous successful "failures" include:

  • Marco Polo
  • Queen Isabella of Spain
  • King Montezuma II
  • Anne Boleyn
  • Ferdinand Magellan
  • Isaac Newton
  • Benedict Arnold
  • George Armstrong Custer
  • Vincent van Gogh
  • Susan B. Anthony
  • Thomas Alva Edison
  • J. Bruce Ismay
  • Amelia M. Earhart
  • Joseph Jefferson Jackson ("Shoeless Joe")
©2014 Georgia Bragg (P)2014 Recorded Books Biographies Geography & Cultures Historical
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Not too childish, really interesting! Idk it’s just really interesting. Recommend for all ages. Not too gory, so is ok for kids but is also entertaining for teens & adults

Love this ☺️

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Excellent! Informative for adults as well as children.

In fact, as an adult who's at least heard of these historical figures, having misconceptions addressed and full stories shared, this might even be better for me to learn from than my kids!

I was amazed at what I DIDN'T know about Earheart, van Gogh, Marco Polo, Custer, the European explorers of the Americas. The builder of the Titanic.

We've listened to a few by the author/narrator team before, and this was even more interesting than the How they Croaked, as it wasn't leading up to death details, it was mistakes made through life, which seemed even more fascinating as the mistakes can lead to both good and bad results.

I'd listen to this again, as I'm sure I'll forget some of the details. But the style of these is great for young listeners, vocabulary isn't too advanced, it gives enough detail to understand the period/life/situation of each unique person, and it doesn't skimp on the stuff that fascinates.

A great selection of people, and well narrated to keep interest and pace.

Informative for adults as well as children

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