18 million or so years ago, the Big Bang exploded onto the scene and it's all been downhill from there. Now, for every spectacular discovery throughout history, there have been a hundred devastating epidemics; for every benevolent despot, a thousand like Vlad the Impaler; for every cup half-full, a larger cup half-empty. In a world filled with catastrophe, "The Pessimist's Guide to History" is an entertaining timeline bringing to light the darkest events in history so far.