Stupid Wars

A Citizen's Guide to Botched Putsches, Failed Coups, Inane Invasions, and Ridiculous Revolutions

By: Michael Prince, Ed Strosser

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

When winners write history, they sometimes "forget" to include their own embarrassing misjudgments. Fortunately, this take-no-prisoners edition of history isn't going to let the winners (or the losers) forget the mistakes of the past. Be prepared to laugh out loud - and gasp in horror - at the most painfully idiotic strategies, alliances, and decisions the world has ever known. These stupid wars have been launched by democracies as well as monarchies and dictatorships, in recent decades just as often as in less "enlightened" times.

The ridiculous and reckless conflicts chronicled in Stupid Wars include the misdirected Fourth Crusade, the half-baked invasion of Russia by the U.S., the U.K.'s baffling Falklands War, Hitler's ill-fated Beer Hall Putsch, several incredibly foolish South American conflicts, the Bay of Pigs fiasco, and many more. Whether you're a future dictator, war-mongering politician, royal mistress, or history lover, these blow-by-stupid-blow accounts will teach you the valuable lessons you need to stay off the list, including:

• Don't declare war on all your neighbors at the same time.
• Working radios, accurate maps, and weather-appropriate uniforms are big plusses.
• Large amounts of bird poop and very small islands are probably not worth dying for.
• Never invade Russia.Seriously. It's a really bad idea.

©2004 Ed Strosser and Michael Prince (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

How stupid can leaders be?

What made the experience of listening to Stupid Wars the most enjoyable?

I marveled at how stupid and short sighted people are when put into positions of responsibility

Who was your favorite character and why?

The guys to tried to kill Hitler. Just one stupid mistake after another.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the American Army invaded Siberia. I know that some presidents are idiots and a lot of people of serve them are just yes men, but this was over doing it.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

If parts were not so pitiful, it would be funny