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The Crackpot Compendium: Edward Brooke-Hitching

A 384-page hardback A-Z of history's eccentric thinkers, for humour lovers

The Crackpot Compendium is a 384-page hardback gift book: an A-Z of history's eccentric thinkers, from crackpot inventors to false prophets, for lovers of oddities.

£16.95Delivery from £3.69, free over £40

Same-day dispatch by 2pmDispatched in 0–2 working days · Royal Mail Tracked 48, 2–3 working days
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£16.95The Crackpot Compendium: Edward Brooke-Hitching
  • Hardback, 384 pages
  • 223 x 143 x 30 mm
  • By Edward Brooke-Hitching
  • Published 8 October 2026
  • Subjects: humour, gift books

About this gift

Humour fans and history buffs: this crackpot compendium of eccentric thinkers is the gift for them. Crackpot inventors, false prophets, quacks, pseudo-scientists, con-artists and impostors share its pages from A to Z. It makes a witty present for anyone who can't resist a bizarre tale from history.

Edward Brooke-Hitching packs the book with strange episodes: dinosaur espionage, earthquake-predicting plants, cat pianos and canine translation devices. Its stories run from how to build a pigeon death-ray to how to interrogate a houseplant. It is a hardback of 384 pages, measuring 223 x 143 x 30 mm.

Dip into 384 pages of odd history, one A-Z entry at a time. This is a birthday or Christmas present for the odd-fact fan. Choose The Crackpot Compendium and give them a book full of oddities to read.

Perfect for: Birthday gifts · Christmas gifts · Christmas gifts for him · Christmas gifts for dad

Great for: Gifts for him · Gifts for dad · Gifts for book lovers · humour fans, history buffs, quiz fans, anyone with a taste for the odd

What's in the box

  • 1 hardback book, 384 pages

Details

Size223 x 143 x 30 mm
ContentsHardback, 384 pages
Delivery

Same-day dispatch by 2pm · Royal Mail Tracked 48

Pick your delivery at checkout: every option for its parcel, cheapest first. Standard delivery is free once its parcel reaches £40. Delivery and Christmas dates

Returns

Return it unused within 14 days of delivery for a refund. If it arrives damaged, tell us within 3 days of delivery and we'll replace or refund it. Returns

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Good to know

Quick answers about this gift.

What's inside The Crackpot Compendium?

An A-Z of history's eccentric thinkers, from crackpot inventors and false prophets to quacks, pseudo-scientists and con-artists.

How big is the book?

It measures 223 x 143 x 30 mm and has 384 pages.

Who wrote The Crackpot Compendium?

Edward Brooke-Hitching wrote it, and Simon & Schuster Ltd published it on 8 October 2026.

When will the the crackpot compendium: edward brooke-hitching arrive?

It leaves within 0 to 2 working days and goes by Royal Mail Tracked 48 (2 to 3 working days). The exact window is shown above for the moment you're ordering.