You Wouldn’t Want To … series of History books
Do you think life as a Roman gladiator was exciting? That it was fun to live in a medieval castle? That hiking to the North Pole was easy? Or that it would have been cool to build a pyramid? Think again!
These 32-page nonfiction books use humor to explain historical events. As the reader, you get to see first-hand the gory side of life in ancient times, the hardship of exploration, and the danger of building iconic structures.
The books may look outrageous, but everything in them is true. Colorful illustrations, captions, and factual sidebars make them great choices for school reports.
Find them in the Bridge Books collection.
You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Roman Gladiator: Gory Things You’d Rather Not Know!
by John Malam
As a fierce Celtic warrior captured by the Romans, you are chosen for the gladiator school. You’ll be taught to fight, kill and die in a suitably sporting manner to entertain the Roman crowds. If you survive, you could become a hero – but don’t count on it.
You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Samurai: A Deadly Career You’d Rather Not Pursue!
by Fiona Macdonald
Sure, samurais look cool. But could you endure the training and hardship it took to be one? Are you willing to fight to the death to uphold the honor of your lord? You may want to think twice before you commit!
You Wouldn’t Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy: Disgusting Things You’d Rather Not Know!
by David Stewart
The process Ancient Egyptians used to preserve dead bodies as mummies is fascinating – and really gross!
You Wouldn’t Want to Meet Typhoid Mary: A Deadly Cook You’d Rather Not know!
by Jacqueline Morley
You’ll want to stay away from Mary Mallon, an Irish immigrant cook who became known as “Typhoid Mary” when she infected many New Yorkers with the deadly disease.
You Wouldn’t Want to Be at the Boston Tea Party: Wharf Water You’d Rather Not Drink!
by Peter Cook
On the night of December 16, 1773, you disguise yourself as a Mohawk Indian and head to the Boston harbor. You’re about to take part in a “tea party” that will change the course of American history.
You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Polar Explorer: An Expedition You’d Rather Not Go On!
by Jen Green
You are a brave young sailor about to join Ernest Shackleton’s expedition to icy Antarctica as a polar explorer. But it requires a lot of courage to undertake this perilous journey.
You Wouldn’t Want to Live in Pompeii: A Volcanic Eruption You’d Rather Avoid!
by John Malam
As a trusted slave in a quiet Roman town in 79 CE, you’re about to undergo the most terrifying experience of your life. Find out all about the horrible fate of the residents of Pompeii, what remains of the town today, and how Vesuvius’ victims were preserved for eternity.
You Wouldn’t Want to Sail on the Titanic: One Voyage You’d Rather Not Make!
by David Stewart
What happened on the ship that was supposed to be unsinkable? You’re about to find out!
You Wouldn’t Want to Live in a Medieval Castle: A Home You’d Rather Not Inhabit!
by Jacqueline Morley
A look at life in a medieval castle during the reign of King John of England through the eyes of a castle servant girl.
You Wouldn’t Want to Work on the Hoover Dam: An Explosive Job You’d Rather Not Do!
by Ian Graham
In 1920s America, life is hard, and many people are out of work. You have the chance to work on a truly massive building project: a giant dam that will provide power and water for years to come, and prevent the devastating floods caused by the Colorado River. But it won’t be easy!
You Wouldn’t Want to Be on Apollo 13: A Mission You’d Rather Not Go On!
by Ian Graham
Do you have the right stuff to be an astronaut on the “unlucky” 1970 Apollo 13 mission to the moon?
You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Viking Explorer: Voyages You’d Rather Not Make!
by Andrew Langley
It’s the late 10th century, and you are one of a hardy band of young adventurers who plan to sail all the way from Scandinavia to North America. Will you survive this arduous voyage in a fragile open boat?
You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Mammoth Hunter: Dangerous Beasts You’d Rather Not Encounter!
by John Malam
Living in the Ice Age wasn’t easy, especially when you have to hunt for food.
You Wouldn’t Want to Be an American Pioneer: A Wilderness You’d Rather Not Tame!
by Jacqueline Morley
As a struggling farmer on the East Coast of America, you’ve heard that there are fortunes to be made out West. But first you have to get there. Are you tough enough to survive months on the trail, with little to eat and only your wagon for shelter?
You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Pyramid Builder: A Hazardous Job You’d Rather Not Have!
by Jacqueline Morley
You are an Egyptian peasant who is ordered to help build the pharaoh’s tomb. But the work of excavating stone blocks, hauling stones to the site and setting them, masonry work, painting, and sculpting is not fun nor easy.
You Wouldn’t Want to Work on the Great Wall of China: Defenses You’d Rather Not Build!
by Jacqueline Morley
Around 215 B.C. a young farmer receives orders from the First Great Emperor of China to help unlucky thousands do backbreaking labor on the Great Wall of China.
You Wouldn’t Want to Be on the First Flying Machine: A High-Soaring Ride You’d Rather Not Take!
by Ian Graham
You are Orville Wright. Along with your brother, Wilbur, you try to build a flying machine. Be prepared to crash a lot!
You Wouldn’t Want to Sail in the Spanish Armada: An Invasion You’d Rather Not Launch!
by John Malam
In 1588, King Philip II of Spain wants to conquer England so he can rule over it, and you are a member of the naval fleet that will attack!