SNAFU: The Definitive Guide to History’s Greatest Screwups

The Ultimate Father’s Day Gift? Skip the Tie—Give Him a Hilarious History Lesson with Ed Helms’ SNAFU!

Let’s be honest—your dad doesn’t need another tie, mug, or World’s Okayest Golfer T-shirt. This Father’s Day, go from “meh” to “magnificent” with SNAFU: The Definitive Guide to History’s Greatest Screwups by Ed Helms. Yes, that Ed Helms—aka Andy “Nard Dog” Bernard from The Office, Stu from The Hangover, and that deadpan genius from The Daily Show.

Helms, now host of the chart-topping podcast SNAFU, takes a hilariously insightful deep dive into some of history’s most mind-blowing mistakes. This isn’t your dusty high school history textbook. SNAFU is a brilliantly illustrated, laugh-out-loud ride through humanity’s biggest faceplants—think nukes on the moon, weather as a weapon, and yes, CIA spy cats (that happened).

The term “SNAFU” was coined by soldiers in WWI, standing for “Situation Normal: All F*cked Up”—a painfully accurate summary of many historical events. In this book, Helms breaks down the blunders that prove truth is stranger (and way dumber) than fiction. Each chapter is packed with razor-sharp wit, well-researched chaos, and a few perfectly placed Andy Bernard-isms for the real fans.

Whether your dad is a history buff, a comedy lover, or someone who just enjoys watching humanity trip over its shoelaces, this book is a guaranteed hit. Think of it as history class meets stand-up comedy—with illustrations.

SNAFU is the gift of laughter, learning, and that warm glow you get from realizing people in power have always made terrible decisions. If you’re into epic fails, historical fiascos, or just want to hear Ed Helms narrate a story about nuclear-powered pigeons (okay, not real, but close), this book is a must-read.

I highly recommend going for the audiobook version of SNAFU—Ed Helms’ comedic timing and delivery make it an absolute blast to listen to, especially on the road. Whether you’re commuting, road-tripping, or just running errands, this is the kind of laugh-out-loud, “did-that-really-happen?” storytelling that turns any drive into a hilarious history lesson. Trust me, hearing these epic screwups in Ed’s voice adds a whole new layer of fun.