Mavericks: Life stories and lessons of history's most extraordinary misfits

by Jenny Draper

Overview

In her first book, popular TikTok historian J Draper uses her characteristic wit and intellect to introduce us to extraordinary figures marginalized by history, and the lessons we can learn from them.

Witty and engaging TikTok historian J.D. Draper digs out unusual stories of individuals that have shaped the world, and discovers the lessons their unique experiences can teach us.

Breaking away from history as told through the lens of kings, queens and nobles, this book instead lifts the lid on 24 fascinating stories of little-known underdogs, mavericks, trailblazers and oddballs. Through these stories you will meet characters such as: 

• The Chevalier d'Eon – a fencing master, spy and diplomat who came out as a woman in 18th-century London
• Ellen and William Craft – a married couple who made a daring escape from slavery in the American south 
• Peter the Wild Boy – a child found living in the woods in Germany who was taken to the royal court in England
• Caroline Herschel – the first British woman to be paid for scientific work, and a discoverer of comets
• William Buckland – the man who wrote the first account of a dinosaur – yet who also ate the heart of a French king
• Eleanor Rykener – a gender-bending sex worker from medieval England who spilled juicy gossip about her clients in the clergy Juliana Popjoy - a society beauty who lived in a tree for years
• Paul Robeson – athlete, singer, actor, polyglot, activist... and handsome to boot
• The Rebecca Rioters – a roving crowd of Welshmen who destroyed tollbooths dressed in skirts and bonnets.

These poignant and often hilarious true stories show us that the world as we know it was built by a wider array of historical figures than we experienced in our schoolbooks.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781786788986
Publisher:	Watkins Media
Publication date:	02/11/2025
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Jenny Draper has worked in museums and the heritage sector and now leads walking tours across London as a blue-badge certified private tour guide. She is passionate about teaching the public entertaining and fascinating titbits about history through her social media channels – where she has gathered nearly a million followers – with a particular focus on the weird and wonderful.

Find out more at www.jdraper.co.uk or search for @jdraperlondon.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Had me hooked from the introduction."
– Tom Scott, YouTube sensation

“Mavericks is a lively and a laugh-out-loud funny journey through time. It [...] shines a deserved light on fascinating people you’ve never heard about until now. Thoroughly researched and delivered in a chatty, engaging style, the book really draws you into these mavericks' lives."
– Katie Wignall, Founder of Look Up London

"These are stories you won't learn about in history class. Draper’s research and storytelling skills are on full display as she shines a spotlight on a cast of impressive historic characters who deserve to be remembered."
– Max Miller of YouTube account Tasting History

"Engaging and witty, this is a rip-roaring ride through the lives of 24 eccentrics. Jenny is a master-storyteller and has a knack for digging out the weird and wonderful."
– Jack Chesher, author of London: A Guide for Curious Wanderers

"Oh-so witty and smart, this [...] corker of a book is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking."
– LoveReading review, awarding Mavericks as a Star Book and naming it as "Liz Pick of the Month" for February 2025