There are plenty of contenders for the worst year in history, whether measured by environmental catastrophe, human suffering, or economic collapse. 536 AD deserves its place at the top of the list of worst years ever for good reason. It’s okay if 536 wasn’t the first year to jump to mind when ranking the worst ever years in history, but its relative lack of notoriety hides a pretty grim reality.Some estimates suggest that 50% of the Earth’s global population died in the decades following 536 as a direct result of the events of that year.That’s right, nearly 50% of everybody died because of what happened in 536. What happened to our ancestors 1500 years ago? How did their lives change? Does that even matter to us today? If so, why?The Worst Year Ever - 536 AD covers all these questions and more, including:The miniature ice age that wiped out crops and made eking out an existence more difficult than ever before. The emperor who tried to keep his coffers full by taxing the dead.The plagues of rats that toppled empires.The lessons history can teach us and what we should be doing about it.How the actions of some resulted in a much higher survival rate. 536 serves as an example of how humanity has faced terrible crises and, instead of buckling under the pressure, found a way through to the other side.With current environmental and economic challenges just as, if not more, serious than the challenges of the past, it’s valuable to read examples of the past–when the challenges were great and the struggles to overcome them even greater.If you’re morbidly curious about a disastrous era in human history, or you’re looking for examples to help you put modern challenges into perspective, then The Worst Year Ever - 536 AD is a fascinating place to start. Grab your copy today! Read more