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The Ultimate Bucket List: 50 buckets you must see before you die
The Battle of Hastings, where Harold's penchant for wearing on his head an upturned bucket rather than the standard issue helmet was to prove his undoing; the invention of the wheel, which occurred when a gentleman in Mesopotamia stumbled upon a bucket and watched transfixed as it rolled across the floor; the foundation of Rome: Romulus, Remus and a bucket - the rest is history.
Unchanged in design over millennia, the humble bucket possesses a versatility unmatched in the history of human invention. It is the unobtrusive onlooker, the fly on the wall sat in quiet contemplation at all great turning points in world history.
Detailing 50 buckets that were present at great moments in history, Guardian travel writer and author of Tiny Castles and Tiny Histories, Dixe Wills, describes each event through their sage and unblinking gaze. It's time to start ticking some buckets off your list.
Unchanged in design over millennia, the humble bucket possesses a versatility unmatched in the history of human invention. It is the unobtrusive onlooker, the fly on the wall sat in quiet contemplation at all great turning points in world history.
Detailing 50 buckets that were present at great moments in history, Guardian travel writer and author of Tiny Castles and Tiny Histories, Dixe Wills, describes each event through their sage and unblinking gaze. It's time to start ticking some buckets off your list.
154 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2020
1 person is currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Dixe Wills
15 books16 followersAssuming for a moment that we are what we do, I’m an author and freelance non-flying travel journalist. I’ve written a number of genre-bending books and one or two that give librarians fewer dilemmas. My most recent work is Tiny Stations (AA) which is a journey through the penumbric world of Britain’s railway request stops. Prior to Tiny Stations, I penned Tiny Islands (AA) and Tiny Campsites (Punk). Before the mania for all things tiny struck me, I managed to knock out a few non-size-specific books, including The Z-Z of Great Britain, Places to Hide in England, Scotland and Wales, New World Order (Wills Weltordnung in its Bloomsbury Berlin edition) and, under the name Johnson P Johnson, The Armchair Naturalist (all Icon).
I write for the UK newspaper The Guardian, mainly on green travel. You can read my articles here. You might also find me popping up in other newspapers (though not ones owned by Rupert Murdoch or edited by Paul Dacre, you’ll be pleased to learn) and magazines, some of which you’ll find listed here. I host a monthly spoken word night-cum-pub quiz mash up called Stranger than Fiction that you really ought to come along to because it’s great fun and only costs six quid. I also have a cracking Isle of Dogs-based romcom script unjustly gathering dust in a cupboard. Is there no start to my talents?
I write for the UK newspaper The Guardian, mainly on green travel. You can read my articles here. You might also find me popping up in other newspapers (though not ones owned by Rupert Murdoch or edited by Paul Dacre, you’ll be pleased to learn) and magazines, some of which you’ll find listed here. I host a monthly spoken word night-cum-pub quiz mash up called Stranger than Fiction that you really ought to come along to because it’s great fun and only costs six quid. I also have a cracking Isle of Dogs-based romcom script unjustly gathering dust in a cupboard. Is there no start to my talents?
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 9, 2020
‘Fifty buckets you should see before you die’ is an intriguing tagline and a funny take on the usual idea of a ‘bucket list’. I must admit I was really excited to start reading this short book that promised historical events from the perspective of famous buckets. Unfortunately the only thing I found funny about this book was its title!
I was expecting a sort of Horrible Histories style humour with this book – true stories intermingled with some funny narration and some new stories learnt about our history. What I got was an odd mix of made up dialogue and factually incorrect stories with the theme of buckets shoved in. Some stories were true and interesting, such as The Bromeswell Bucket or The Bucket of Blood, a pub which derived it’s name from dredging up a bucket of blood from a dead smuggler who had been hidden in their well.
Some stories were completely inaccurate such as the Moon Rock Sample Bucket, Cleopatra’s Bucket or Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Bucket. These stories seemed to just be there to hold a funny fictional story or amusing conversation from history using a bucket as the theme. However, I didn’t so much as crack a smile at these and unlike another reviewer who blamed not getting the British sense of humour – I’m from the UK!
Then we had some stories which had absolutely nothing to do with buckets, such as Charlie Bucket, in which the author went on an odd rant about the Soviet conspiracy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. There was a story about Florence Nightingale, only held together by the theme by the fact that she was ‘The Lady of the Lamp’ and her friend ‘The Lady of the Bucket’ was lost to history. There was also a story about Taylor Swifts lost album called Bucket (completely untrue). These stories really ruined the book for me – if you’re going to make some entries interesting and factual then this has to apply to all of the entries otherwise it just ruins the credibility of the book!
Overall this book made no sense to me - why bother writing something half factual and half completely fictional to the point where the reader has to fact check every detail to see if any of it is true? Thank you to NetGalley & Icons Books for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for a (very) honest review.
For more of my reviews check out www.kindig.co.uk
I was expecting a sort of Horrible Histories style humour with this book – true stories intermingled with some funny narration and some new stories learnt about our history. What I got was an odd mix of made up dialogue and factually incorrect stories with the theme of buckets shoved in. Some stories were true and interesting, such as The Bromeswell Bucket or The Bucket of Blood, a pub which derived it’s name from dredging up a bucket of blood from a dead smuggler who had been hidden in their well.
Some stories were completely inaccurate such as the Moon Rock Sample Bucket, Cleopatra’s Bucket or Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Bucket. These stories seemed to just be there to hold a funny fictional story or amusing conversation from history using a bucket as the theme. However, I didn’t so much as crack a smile at these and unlike another reviewer who blamed not getting the British sense of humour – I’m from the UK!
Then we had some stories which had absolutely nothing to do with buckets, such as Charlie Bucket, in which the author went on an odd rant about the Soviet conspiracy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. There was a story about Florence Nightingale, only held together by the theme by the fact that she was ‘The Lady of the Lamp’ and her friend ‘The Lady of the Bucket’ was lost to history. There was also a story about Taylor Swifts lost album called Bucket (completely untrue). These stories really ruined the book for me – if you’re going to make some entries interesting and factual then this has to apply to all of the entries otherwise it just ruins the credibility of the book!
Overall this book made no sense to me - why bother writing something half factual and half completely fictional to the point where the reader has to fact check every detail to see if any of it is true? Thank you to NetGalley & Icons Books for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for a (very) honest review.
For more of my reviews check out www.kindig.co.uk
January 28, 2021
I'm so confused by this book, I hardly know where to begin. Regular readers at Carpe Librum will know I enjoy reading a variety of non-fiction titles and was looking forward to reading The Ultimate Bucket List - 50 Buckets You Must See Before You Die by Dixe Wills for Non Fiction November.
I thought this book would act as an interesting vessel for a bucketload of information on some very interesting historic moments, events, people and innovations. Having turned the last page of this beautiful little hardback, I don't actually know what I just read.
At first, I was constantly checking Wikipedia to find out whether the bucket entries were real or imagined. With entries varying from the Bobrinski Bucket (a fascinating bronze bucket made in 1163 and mentioned on page 65) to the Bucket Fountain in New Zealand (a real and ugly fountain on page 136) to the head scratching entry of Taylor Swift's Bucket on page 105. (What was that all about?)
Some of the subject matter was obscure and made references and in-jokes that went way over my head. Simultaneously, the book is also full of silly offbeat humour and imagined dialogue, accompanied by comic illustrations making light of the topic and I couldn't work out whether the author was 'taking the piss' or using comic relief to make the subject matter less intimidating or more approachable. It was thoroughly confusing.
Is this satire? Is it a toilet joke book? I'm not sure what it was, but as a reader I was disappointed. The author was clearly well researched and provided a list of 50 buckets from all walks of life and periods in history. I found that I was frequently putting the book down to fact check when the author could easily have supplied adequate details to satisfy the reader's genuine curiosity. It's hard to imagine the reader who will understand all of the 50 entries provided without some serious Googling.
If Dixe Wills had written a serious book about the subject matter, with photographs - instead of crazy illustrations reminiscent of Quentin Blake - The Ultimate Bucket List could have been a 5 star read.
* Copy courtesy of Allen & Unwin *
I thought this book would act as an interesting vessel for a bucketload of information on some very interesting historic moments, events, people and innovations. Having turned the last page of this beautiful little hardback, I don't actually know what I just read.
At first, I was constantly checking Wikipedia to find out whether the bucket entries were real or imagined. With entries varying from the Bobrinski Bucket (a fascinating bronze bucket made in 1163 and mentioned on page 65) to the Bucket Fountain in New Zealand (a real and ugly fountain on page 136) to the head scratching entry of Taylor Swift's Bucket on page 105. (What was that all about?)
Some of the subject matter was obscure and made references and in-jokes that went way over my head. Simultaneously, the book is also full of silly offbeat humour and imagined dialogue, accompanied by comic illustrations making light of the topic and I couldn't work out whether the author was 'taking the piss' or using comic relief to make the subject matter less intimidating or more approachable. It was thoroughly confusing.
Is this satire? Is it a toilet joke book? I'm not sure what it was, but as a reader I was disappointed. The author was clearly well researched and provided a list of 50 buckets from all walks of life and periods in history. I found that I was frequently putting the book down to fact check when the author could easily have supplied adequate details to satisfy the reader's genuine curiosity. It's hard to imagine the reader who will understand all of the 50 entries provided without some serious Googling.
If Dixe Wills had written a serious book about the subject matter, with photographs - instead of crazy illustrations reminiscent of Quentin Blake - The Ultimate Bucket List could have been a 5 star read.
* Copy courtesy of Allen & Unwin *
October 8, 2020
Rating courtesy of Netgalley.
This is a genuinely funny book, a history of buckets in the same way 50 Sheds Of Grey was.
There are brilliant anecdotes and laugh out loud moments throughout. Some were belly achingly funny, I was giggling like a schoolgirl.
I hope the author does really well of the back of this, as I thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is a genuinely funny book, a history of buckets in the same way 50 Sheds Of Grey was.
There are brilliant anecdotes and laugh out loud moments throughout. Some were belly achingly funny, I was giggling like a schoolgirl.
I hope the author does really well of the back of this, as I thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 5, 2020
The bucket, so the introduction informs the reader, is a universally under appreciated item that has been present at most of the major points in world history. And so, the Ultimate Bucket List sets out to change our knowledge and enjoyment of the humble bucket.
The book is, actually, a list of 50 buckets to see before you die! Each listing comes complete with ‘historical’ background information, plus details of where in the world the bucket is current located. I’m not sure if there’s an order to the list, as it’s certainly not by dates, but somehow it all fits together nicely and works well. All the buckets have been well researched, with some very handy background information about each one.
A great book for anybody who wants to keep up to date with bucket trends through the ages!
The book is, actually, a list of 50 buckets to see before you die! Each listing comes complete with ‘historical’ background information, plus details of where in the world the bucket is current located. I’m not sure if there’s an order to the list, as it’s certainly not by dates, but somehow it all fits together nicely and works well. All the buckets have been well researched, with some very handy background information about each one.
A great book for anybody who wants to keep up to date with bucket trends through the ages!
September 9, 2020
Highly entertaining, if you enjoy books like Very British Problems or The Timewaster Letters, this is just the book for you.
Perfect stocking filler for Christmas. I was lucky enough to read this as a preview and will be buying a copy for my 16-year-old son for Christmas, for sure.
It's just the sort of book that makes him laugh out loud, as it did me!
The comments on Buckets and Spades at the beach was particularly amusing, and sadly very true. Loved this book. Highly recommended for its sheer ridiculousness and amusement.
Perfect stocking filler for Christmas. I was lucky enough to read this as a preview and will be buying a copy for my 16-year-old son for Christmas, for sure.
It's just the sort of book that makes him laugh out loud, as it did me!
The comments on Buckets and Spades at the beach was particularly amusing, and sadly very true. Loved this book. Highly recommended for its sheer ridiculousness and amusement.
February 22, 2021
Subversive, and quite amusing this book has you going well that's a bit weird is that a thing, oh no, this is just flipping funny, and the joke I think is missed by many.
The book takes a great shot at bucket lists, at meaningful historical commentary, or seeing useless objects that of themselves are pretty useless, but we need to see them because X person did something with it.
A thoroughly wonderful little book, that knows not to wear out its welcome and gives the readers much to smirk about!
The book takes a great shot at bucket lists, at meaningful historical commentary, or seeing useless objects that of themselves are pretty useless, but we need to see them because X person did something with it.
A thoroughly wonderful little book, that knows not to wear out its welcome and gives the readers much to smirk about!
September 17, 2020
This is a fun little book.
I wanted to read this book because the title caught my interest. Then as I read about the first few buckets, I kept reading because I just wanted to know what other buckets could possible be included in this book.
Each bucket only have a short bit about it, the history and where it is etc.
This book was easy to read, fun, and fairly quick. It's interesting and I actually enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would, which is always a plus.
I wanted to read this book because the title caught my interest. Then as I read about the first few buckets, I kept reading because I just wanted to know what other buckets could possible be included in this book.
Each bucket only have a short bit about it, the history and where it is etc.
This book was easy to read, fun, and fairly quick. It's interesting and I actually enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would, which is always a plus.
November 15, 2020
What a completely ridiculous book! In all the very best ways.
This book was a refreshing look at fabricated history and our obsession with bucket lists - this is by far the most important book you will every read on the great buckets of history.
This book was a tonic, much needed in these stressful times.
This book was a refreshing look at fabricated history and our obsession with bucket lists - this is by far the most important book you will every read on the great buckets of history.
This book was a tonic, much needed in these stressful times.
October 3, 2020
Frustratingly, there is enough evidence here (knowledge of van Gogh art and Paul Revere, a strong sense of a strong vocabulary) to imply this author is greatly intelligent. However, these fifty strident mini-essays about fictional buckets and the places where we can find them nowadays are not completely enjoyable. The introduction gives us a clue as to what we'll get – blatantly incorrect science, with some bucketry here and there. There is a sense of blagging one's way to print with these pages, and not solely because the best jokes (the one about ivory, the one about Hermes, and most of the Canadian entry) are not exactly about buckets. It's a shame, then, that the level of chutzpah thrown at the nonsense contents can make it all seem to read on one note. Not entirely beyond the pail, this felt like being too divisive a novelty read for it to get a clear recommendation – some times I was on board with the quirk, others I found it a little overdone.
December 26, 2021
I’m with the other 1 star reviewers here. I might have enjoyed it more if I could tell what was actually true (and leant something useful about history). Since I couldn’t it was complete trash. This book is a key example of how someone can make a lot of book from an amusingly titled book bought by Christmas shoppers in too much of a rush to skim before buying. Can’t help thinking my gift-giver was ripped off - too bad to even donate to a charity shop as some other reader might waste their time reading it.
December 14, 2020
I thought this would be a quirky and fun anthology on buckets, but it ended up becoming a what’s-going-on-what-am-I-reading sort of read. This book’s concept has so much potential, if only the individual short stories had a basic beginning, middle and an end.
If I really, really had to recommend a chapter, it’s be either chapter 26: Isaac Newton’s Bucket Argument, or chapter 50: Schrodinger’s Bucket.
If I really, really had to recommend a chapter, it’s be either chapter 26: Isaac Newton’s Bucket Argument, or chapter 50: Schrodinger’s Bucket.
November 9, 2020
I was not expecting such a humorous book.. I have to be honest and say that these little stories left me cold though. Perhaps funny trivia is not my ideal reading. The book was well paced and I can that as a coffee table book where you could read just one or two stories and then leave it for a week or so before browsing again.
October 3, 2020
This is a funny book. I enjoyed it for what I am sure it was intended to be - a fun, light read. I’m not sure how the author managed to stretch 50 buckets to a full book but they did and I read the whole thing through, so I reckon she was onto something!
November 4, 2020
Good fun! Lots of silly stories that made me laugh. History told from the bucket's point of view - worth a read BUT I read this as I would read a book and I found it hard to read one after the other - it would be better to pick up and read one at a time I think!
December 19, 2020
Honestly, I wasn’t feeling this so much. A couple of the stories/anecdotes were interesting or funny but the majority were boring.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews