Mavericks

Life Stories and Lessons of History's Most Extraordinary Misfits

By: Jenny Draper

Narrated by: Jenny Draper

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.

©2025 Jenny Draper (P)2025 Watkins Publishing

Interesting Chapters

The chapters contain real characters. We the reader/audience are gifted with J Draper sharing her writing.verbally. Thank you J 😉💙

Great stories wonderfully told!

The stories were very interesting, and the manner of storytelling was enthralling. Bring on the next book!

Funny and interesting

Great presentation of interesting stories.

I had not heard of more than half these people, but I loved every story.

Accidental Pavlov

This book was so good I’ve accidentally Pavlov’d myself into falling asleep with it every night.

Witty, delightful, insightful

I have been watching this author on YouTube for a couple of years and was so excited that she has come out with a book. She has such a wonderful way of pulling you into a story that at first you think you might not be interested in, but by the end of it, you want to know even more. The only thing I didn’t like about this book is that it that I am done listening to it. I would have been fine if it were three times longer. Absolutely buy this book!!