"It Could Be Worse: A Motivational Tour of Tragic Things That Did Not Happen to You" tells 69 stories of tragedy in a way that makes us laugh when we should cry. There are stories of past and present people, their lives and luck, their deaths, and struggles. It explores the natural world and shines a spotlight on some of the most unfortunate creatures that slither through the muck. There are assassinations, shipwrecks, exploding genitals, a celestial drive-by, cannibalism, poison, flightless wings, and fish out of water. There is betrayal, subterfuge and incompetence, murder, disease, and zombie cockroaches. You will learn how not knowing how germs work killed at least two US presidents and not caring about lifeboats killed thousands of maritime passengers. Learn which parasite it would suck to host the most and why penguins are stupid. Discover how drug use, spousal abuse and dead-beat dads are not unique to humans. These topics and more are all contained here. There really is something for everyone (as long as "everyone" is into morbid curiosities, dark humor and unsettling descriptions of genital mutilation).
The Author was inspired to write this book because of his own struggles with mental health and his belief that curiosity and comedy are the best defenses against the scourges of depression, self-doubt, and turmoil. It is difficult to find time to wrestle with your demons if you are busy exploring or laughing. It Could Be Worse is carefully and lovingly researched, mostly accurate and "scientifically" proven to be almost as good for your mental health as therapy.