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Scott Edwin Williams
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Lightbulb Moments in Human History: From Cave to Colosseum Kindle Edition

by Scott Edwin Williams (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 13 ratings
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'Here's your chance to learn and enjoy Big History in a slightly 'deranged' romp.' Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Australian science communicator, author, and populariser
Lightbulb Moments in Human History tracks humanity's big ideas and the eccentricities of those who conceived them. Along the way you'll find answers to questions such as: Why did the Sumerians have temple prostitutes? Just how psychotic was the God of the Old Testament? Why did parents in ancient Greece encourage their young sons to take older male lovers? And what on earth inspired the Mayans to have tobacco enemas? Funny. Irreverent. Never boring. This is not the history you were taught in school. Scott Edwin Williams' Lightbulb Moments in Human History engages, entertains, and provides hope that while times are tough, we're not all going to hell in a handbasket.
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  1. Print length
    313 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Chronos Books
  5. Publication date
    February 24, 2023
  6. File size
    55618 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Oct 6, 2022
"...this book is expertly written and packed with interesting information and educational insight into the past. Whether you're a history buff or looking to expand your historical horizons, this book is a great read."
How It Works Magazine Oct 6, 2022

"... quite brilliant in terms of the depth and fun analysis - this is NOT the history I learned at school - BUT I wish it had been."
Terry Melia - Greenhills Chats Podcast November 2022

Lightbulb Moments in Human History is flavored with scintillating wit and dark humor, and served to the open-minded by an intelligent observer, who manages to evoke empathy and hope for the human spirit.
Dr. Micki Pistorius, Author of Catch me a Killer

Scott Edwin Williams has spent a very long time trawling, or researching history to come up with the wonderfully mixed bits and pieces of history he has subjected to wit and whimsy, to create a book that is both informative and entertaining.
Ian Banks, Blue Wolf Reviews April 2023

Scott Edwin Williams Lightbulb Moments in Human History From Cave to Colosseum is an absorbing exploration of the most intriguing aspects of human development that will delight those readers who enjoy the popular history genre. 
We Need to Talk About Books, February 2023

About the Author

Scott Edwin Williams is an optimistic smartass, writer, humorist, and history nerd. His fascination with humanity's lightbulb moments began as a child while watching the first moon landing. Scott splits his time between writing and making learning fun for his students. He lives in Sydney, Australia.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BSMSPHNH
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chronos Books (February 24, 2023)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 24, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 55618 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 313 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 13 ratings

About the author

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Scott Edwin Williams

Scott Edwin Williams

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Scott Edwin Williams is an Australian writer, humorist, and history nerd who is fascinated by big ideas and innovations throughout human history. Viewing the 1969 moon landing on television as a child sparked his lifelong interest in humanity’s major accomplishments.

His book series “Lightbulb Moments in Human History,” takes a comedic yet insightful look at the breakthroughs and eccentric figures that have shaped civilization. The first book covers prehistory through the ancient world, while the second book explores medieval times up to the scientific revolution.

He is currently working on the third installment, which will examine key innovations and events from the 20th century to today. Scott aims to make history engaging and accessible by combining factual research with humor and narrative storytelling.

Scott holds degrees in education, history and literature. He lives in Sydney, where he teaches and continues to research and write the Lightbulb Moments book series.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
13 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Shmuel Yaccoby
5.0 out of 5 stars Accessing history, science and nature humorously
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
The underlying narrative; humanity, overall, keeps advancing in steps toward creating a better civilization, thanks to implementing big ideas, those lightbulb moments that change the world.

It has been awhile since I enjoyed an entertaining book as this. An amusing, clever writing approach about nature, history, and science. This talented author is definitely full with sense of humor, making this well-rewarded book more like storytelling rather than focusing on strict facts and observations. And those inserts within the photos or drawings are just hilarious; fabulous breaks and laughter. I’ve learned a lot, too. Enjoying gaining knowledge and meaningful perspective through reading is my favorite of all. Definitely recommended.
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Virgil Tracy
5.0 out of 5 stars Unique, Enjoyable, and Fun
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2023
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I thought this was unique, very enjoyable, and interesting. The author clearly has a talent for storytelling in a clear and amusing style while conveying facts in an entertaining manner. The author covers the core of each topic very well and it encouraged me to choose a few topics that intrigued me to research further. Maybe not the right choice if you're looking for something super serious, but I think it's tremendous fun.
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Carrie
3.0 out of 5 stars Funny Moments more than lightbulb moments
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2023
I thought this would be a more fun book. I was wrong. The cover may allude to a history lesson punctuated with humor, but it is a farce. The chapters are well written, and in chronological order, but it felt more like a walk through the world encyclopedia of history rather than a hilarious, yet informative, episode of ‘Drunk History.’
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Mika Paananen
5.0 out of 5 stars History as never read before
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2023
The first part of oncoming series, 'Lightbulb Moments in Human History: From Cave to Colosseum' is not small type, dry narration with cloud of dust floating around. It consists of the flow of big ideas of humankind from prehistoric ape era into Roman inventions. Babylonia, India, China, Mesoamerica, et cetera included. Still, it’s not a straight list of great inventions but rather a book of the ideas that were once born and are still in effect in one form or another, their ramifications echoing around us.
The book is written with professional but also with witty style that keeps reader going.
What adds more spice are the latest findings that topple a lot of old beliefs. Mr. Williams’ sources are numerous(and carefully listed) and data is as fresh as it should be.
Having finished this, I can't wait for the next part!
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Steve G
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, fun, and irreverent
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2023
I loved this book. The writing is cute and funny. The book is lively and very well-paced, and once I started, I couldn’t put the book down. Every page held my attention. The cartoons are very funny as are their captions. As a history book, the subject matter was covered very well. As a fan of history, I found this book to be well worth reading. As a fan of humor, I found this book well worth reading. Thank you to Netgalley and Chronos Books for the digital review copy.
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Top reviews from other countries

Catrina Bundey
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book touches on parts of history not talked about much.
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Elizabeth
5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulous read!
Reviewed in Australia on July 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
What a fabulous read! Everything you wanted to know about ancient history but were afraid to ask. (Well, not afraid to ask but afraid to be bored by a traditional history book.) Scott Williams' book is a blessed relief – telling the history but with a light touch and a comedic twist. Reading this is a pleasure: Williams’ prose is so smooth, his humorous anecdotes well chosen and the pictures created by him through “digital mischief” and his own cartoons hit the mark. I captured many nuggets of learning through this book, which will stick in the mind due to the grim reality of ancient times.
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B Mac
5.0 out of 5 stars If you like your history quirky, this is for you
Reviewed in Australia on March 29, 2023
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This is interesting, quirky, and makes history accessible to large variety of readers. Take a walk through history's finest moments and find answer to the questions you were afraid (or didn't know you needed) to ask!
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