50 People Who Messed up the World

Who would top your list of the fifty people who have done the most to make the modern world a worse place?

'I can't imagine how they whittled it down to just 50 people' - comedian

Nik Rabinowitz

'A fantastic thought-provoking book that renews my appreciation for history. It reminds us how we got here and how we can avoid things getting worse'

Mandla Shongwe, SAFM Lifestyle

'A fascinating, terrific read'

Gareth Cliff, CliffCentral

From despotic mass-murderers to sports cheats, and from corrupt politicians to truly dreadful celebrities, who has had the most damaging -- or vexatious -- impact in their particular sphere of modern life?

This line-up of the very worst of the twentieth century and beyond includes the obvious candidates: those who have caused extraordinary damage through their murderous paranoia, brutal avarice, or demented self-regard -- Stalin, King Leopold, Idi Amin and the like.

But murderous dictators aside, there are plenty of others who deserve recognition for their role in making the world a significantly more dangerous or, at the very least, more annoying place: terrorist Carlos the Jackal; Robert Oppenheimer, the man who gave the world the atomic bomb; notorious sports cheat Lance Armstrong; and the one and only President Donald Trump, who has of course succeeded in making the world both more annoying and more dangerous.

This perfectly focused spotlight on infamy is illustrated throughout by award-winning political cartoonist Zapiro.

“I can't imagine how they whittled it down to just 50 people'.”

Praise for the authors' previous book, 50 People Who Stuffed Up South Africa:

A well-researched, considered look at those who have had an influence on South Africa's progress; or rather, have hindered it. - City Press

Entertaining . . . enlightening . . . comes highly recommended. - Business Day

A thoroughly enjoyable read . . . very funny.

They're all here, neatly skewered and steeped in scorn. Brilliant.

The writing is sharp and the scope impressive . . . provides some great moral sword fights and it's worth reading for the cartoons alone. - Rapport

Alex Parker is an equal-opportunity offender. From Jan van Riebeeck to Julius Malema . . . [you'll] find little argument here with his pick of those we love to hate. - The Times

Parker manages to balance cynicism and optimism, and his blend of sardonic humour and scathing social commentary make for a surprisingly relaxed read. - The Big Issue

Witty and well-written - Independent Newspapers

Alexander Parker (Author)

Alexander Parker has authored a number of books with Tim Richman, and written for publications in the UK, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Tim Richman (Author)

Tim Richman has authored a number of books with Alexander Parker, and written for publications in the UK, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Zapiro is South Africa's premier political cartoonist; among numerous accolades, he has won the International Publishers Association's Freedom to Publish Prize.

Who would top your list of the fifty people who have done the most to make the modern world a worse place? 'I can't imagine how they whittled it down to just 50 people' - comedian Nik Rabinowitz 'A fantastic thought-provoking book that renews my appreciation for history. It reminds us how we got here and how we can avoid things getting worse' Mandla Shongwe, SAFM Lifestyle 'A fascinating, terrific read' Gareth Cliff, CliffCentral From despotic mass-murderers to sports cheats, and from corrupt politicians to truly dreadful celebrities, who has had the most damaging -- or vexatious -- impact in their particular sphere of modern life?This line-up of the very worst of the twentieth century and beyond includes the obvious candidates: those who have caused extraordinary damage through their murderous paranoia, brutal avarice, or demented self-regard -- Stalin, King Leopold, Idi Amin and the like. But murderous dictators aside, there are plenty of others who deserve recognition for their role in making the world a significantly more dangerous or, at the very least, more annoying place: terrorist Carlos the Jackal; Robert Oppenheimer, the man who gave the world the atomic bomb; notorious sports cheat Lance Armstrong; and the one and only President Donald Trump, who has of course succeeded in making the world both more annoying and more dangerous. This perfectly focused spotlight on infamy is illustrated throughout by award-winning political cartoonist Zapiro.

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