A Brief History of the End of the F*cking World: The hilarious and fascinating new book from the international bestselling author of HUMANS

The Brief History of the End of the World is a humorous and thought-provoking exploration of the apocalypse throughout history, from the Black Death to the present day. It explores how humans have always believed the end of the world was nigh and how we live in a world where catastrophe is always looming. The book also looks to the future to ask the unnerving question: how might it all end?

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 27 February 2025
Publisher: Headline Publishing Group

[Phillips] traverses this sprawling terrain with energy and charm, entertaining readers with his wry humour and insightful observations. The Telegraph praises the book as "exceptionally funny from cover to cover," while the Irish Independent describes it as "deeply researched and thoughtful." Fans of Phillips's earlier books, "Humans" and "Truth," will be pleased to know that the ex-BuzzFeed editor is on form, not letting the grimness of his subject spoil his gagsmithery. The Guardian calls the book a "great read" and notes that Phillips fills his timeline of unfilled apocalypses with wry humour. New Scientist agrees, stating that the book is about the apocalypse and how humans have always believed it to be very f*cking nigh. The book takes readers on a journey through thousands of years, meeting weird cults, failed prophets, and mass panics, as well as holy warriors leading revolts in anticipation of the last days and suburbanites waiting for aliens to rescue them from a doomed Earth. It also looks to the future to ask the unnerving question: how might it all end? However, the book is also about how we live in a world where catastrophe is always looming, whether it's a madman with a nuclear button or the slow burn of environmental collapse. Pr. Phillips's writing style is praised for its energy and charm, and his observations are insightful and thought-provoking. Overall, the book is a fascinating exploration of the apocalypse and how it has shaped human history and culture. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the end of the world and how we can find hope in it.

Weight: 590g
Dimension: 241 x 164 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781035402175