Orange County, CA—What if President McKinley had opted to wear a bullet proof vest and avoided assassination? What if Coke just changed its age-old formula as a devious way to increase sales? What if Burt Reynolds had said yes to the role of James Bond? These are all questions that Michael N. Smith and Eric Kasum dare to ask in their new, laugh-out-loud audiobook, 100 of the Worst Ideas in History: Humanity's Thundering Brainstorms Turned Blundering Brain Farts, with riotous results.
From skinny-dipping presidents to toxic tooth fillings to hit singing groups that can't carry a tune, 100 of the Worst Ideas in History is a celebration of humanity's historical, hysterical stinkin' thinkin'—thundering brainstorms that turned into blundering brain farts—and the astonishing impact they carry to this day.
"We're big believers in the adage 'those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it'," says Smith. "With schools relegating history to the dull, boring memorization of 'dead guys and dates', it was time someone took a swing at making history human, identifiable, entertaining and memorable."
With decades of entertainment writing and production between them, Michael N. Smith and Eric Kasum know how to deliver content that will have you in stitches—and you might actually learn something along the way as well! Narrated by the authors and a slew of other Hollywood voice actors, 100 of the Worst Ideas in History is a media masterpiece and the perfect companion while commuting, summer travelling, exercising or simply relaxing after a long workday.
"While we do have higher aspirations of helping to reinvigorate an interest in history among students and adults, 100 of the Worst Ideas in History is ultimately a schadenfreude book—taking glee in the misfortunes of others," says Smith.
In a time when we all need a little laughter, Smith and Kasum teach us not to take the world too seriously and that sometimes it's okay to laugh at ourselves.
"This book is for dads, grads, students, summer travelers, anyone who hears that Cliff-Claven-style, know-it-all yammering on at the end of the bar and longs to say, 'Oh, yeah? I can top that one,'" says
Smith. "It's designed to give you the ammo to unseat that inebriated windbag and rise to your proper place as the smartest, coolest, grooviest guy or girl in the room."
"Rib-achingly funny, and overflowing with eye-opening snippets of hindsight guaranteed to shock and awe!" —Susan Keefe, Midwest Book Review, 5-stars
"If you're looking for a laugh-riot based on true great ideas turned epic failures, check this audiobook. History lessons were never so hard-to-believe and knee-slappin' funny. You will laugh until it hurts." —John Kelly, Detroit Free Press, 5-stars
100 of the Worst Ideas in History: Humanity's Thundering Brainstorms Turned Blundering Brainfarts (audiobook) $13.08, ASIN B08YM561F5, Michael N. Smith and Eric Kasum, available at Audible, Amazon and iTunes. Here's a link to 3 audio clips for downloading: http://bit.ly/100WorstClips
Michael N. Smith is the founder, executive producer and creative director of Beard Boy Productions, a southern California-based advertising production agency specializing in writing and producing television, video, radio, animation, AR/VR and web content. He has written and produced hundreds of humorous (and not-so-humorous) TV commercials, radio spots and corporate videos over the past 26 years for a gaggle of clients across our great land. He has also worked as a press aide and speech-writer for the New York State Assembly, a radio news reporter and a public relations manager.
His work has garnered numerous honors, including Clio, ADDY, EFFIE, New York Art Directors and TELLY awards. He also created the popular cult comic book character, "Pete the P.O.'d Postal Worker." He's penned features for National Lampoon, Men's Exercise, Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times, Buffalo News, St. Petersburg Times and San Antonio Express News. Mike kids history, but always with love. He lives with his wife, Debora, and son, Andrew, in California.
You can find more information on Michael N. Smith at 100worstideas.com, on Facebook (Mike Smith, Beard Boy, and 100 Worst Ideas), on Instagram (Mike Smith, Beard Boy, 100 Worst Ideas) or on LinkedIn (Mike Smith, Beard Boy).
Eric Kasum has written speeches for former President George H.W. Bush, as well as President Ronald Reagan's chief of staff and former attorney general, Edwin Meese. As a journalist, he has reported for Los Angeles Times, New York Times magazine, and CBS News. Eric has also written for a respected think tank in Washington, D.C. He is founder and CEO of the Imagine Institute, a working group committed to promoting peace, and host of the Imagine Peace Conference at UC Berkeley. His work has appeared in The Huffington Post as well as more than 100 newspapers and magazines around the world. He lives in Hawaii.
You can find more information on Eric Kasum at 100worstideas.com or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/eric.kasum)
Media Contact: For a review copy of 100 of the Worst Ideas in History: Humanity's Thundering Brainstorms Turned Blundering Brain Farts or to arrange an interview with Michael N. Smith and Eric Kasum, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @abookpublicist