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Humans: A Brief History of How We Fcked It All Up* by Tom Phillips – History, Humor, and Human Error

 

“Book review graphic for Humans: A Brief History of How We Fcked It All Up* by Tom Phillips. A classical statue covers its face in embarrassment as the Leaning Tower of Pisa tilts in the background, surrounded by old papers, gears, and inventions. Overlay text reads the book title, author, and the words ‘History • Humor • Human Error.’ The image conveys wit and the irony of human mistakes.”

The history of human mistakes

A short summary:

Tom Phillips takes readers on a witty, well-researched tour through humanity’s long history of missteps. From ill-fated inventions to political disasters and scientific blunders, Humans explores how even our greatest intentions often lead to spectacular mistakes. Blending humor with historical depth, Phillips reminds us that human progress has always been built atop a mountain of errors, and that maybe, just maybe, we’re not as clever as we like to think.

My favorite quote:

"The number of things we know for certain is pretty tiny compared to the number of things we don't know."

- Tom Phillips, Humans

“Quote card for Humans: A Brief History of How We Fcked It All Up* by Tom Phillips. A classical statue covers its face in embarrassment while surrounded by gears, papers, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the background. The quote reads: ‘The number of things we know for certain is pretty tiny compared to the number of things we don’t know.’ Below the quote is the book title and author’s name. The image has a parchment-toned background with a vintage scholarly aesthetic.”

Questions to ponder while reading:

When have you really screwed up?

Do you learn from history?

My review:

This book is a delightfully humbling reminder of our collective fallibility. Tom Phillips manages to turn thousands of years of human mistakes into an engaging and laugh-out-loud exploration of what it means to be us. His research is thorough, his tone approachable, and his humor perfectly timed, transforming what could have been a cynical history lesson into an entertaining act of collective self-awareness.

I especially loved how Phillips balances comedy with insight. Beneath the laughter is a quiet reminder that humanity’s errors often come from the same place as its triumphs: curiosity, ambition, and a touch of arrogance. It’s oddly comforting to realize that getting things wrong is part of our shared DNA. Humans is history told with wit and compassion, a mirror held up to our species, reflecting both our brilliance and our blunders.

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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller based in Tontitown, Arkansas.

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

✨ #TakeTheBackRoads

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