Tales of the most mind-blowing deaths—from dangerous sports to tragic accidents—that will make you shake your head and reconsider the next viral stunt.

Death comes in many forms—sometimes peaceful, sometimes tragic, sometimes dramatic . . . and at other times, just plain weird. In History's Weirdest Deaths, you'll read the true stories of more than a hundred people who met their end in a bizarre fashion. Each cautionary tale is unique. Meet the victims of stunts that went horribly wrong, ordinary people who made boneheaded blunders, and famous figures who realized too late that celebrity isn't a cure for stupidity.

Don't be . . .

The US Army scientist who allowed mosquitoes to bite him to prove his theory that the insects were responsible for yellow fever

The novelist who swallowed a 3-inch toothpick from the olive in his martini

The magician who used cement instead of dirt when he allowed himself to be buried alive in a plastic coffin—which was crushed

"Historical horrors (and sometimes hilarities) . . . sure to generate interest as you bring up people we're all glad we're not." —Critical Blast