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Editorial Review:
A cantankerous history of Britain by one of our most popular humorists
Many of us were put off history by the dry and dreary way it was taught at school. Back then 'The Origins of the Industrial Revolution' somehow seemed less compelling than the chance to test the bold claim on Timothy Johnson's 'Shatterproof' ruler. But here at last is a chance to have a good laugh and learn all that stuff you feel you really ought to know by now...In this "Horrible History for Grown Ups" you can read how Anglo-Saxon liberals struggled to be positive about immigration; 'Look I think we have to try and respect the religious customs of our new Viking friends - oi, he's nicked my bloody ox!' Discover how England's peculiar class system was established by some snobby French nobles whose posh descendents still have wine cellars and second homes in the Dordogne today.And explore the complex socio-economic reasons why Britain's kings were the first in Europe to be brought to heel; (because the Stuarts were such a useless bunch of untalented, incompetent, arrogant, upper-class thickoes that Parliament didn't have much choice.) A book about then that is also incisive and illuminating about now, "2000 Years of Upper Class Idiots in Charge", is a hilarious, informative and cantankerous journey through Britain' fascinating and bizarre history. As entertaining as a witch burning, and a lot more laughs.
Many of us were put off history by the dry and dreary way it was taught at school. Back then 'The Origins of the Industrial Revolution' somehow seemed less compelling than the chance to test the bold claim on Timothy Johnson's 'Shatterproof' ruler. But here at last is a chance to have a good laugh and learn all that stuff you feel you really ought to know by now...In this "Horrible History for Grown Ups" you can read how Anglo-Saxon liberals struggled to be positive about immigration; 'Look I think we have to try and respect the religious customs of our new Viking friends - oi, he's nicked my bloody ox!' Discover how England's peculiar class system was established by some snobby French nobles whose posh descendents still have wine cellars and second homes in the Dordogne today.And explore the complex socio-economic reasons why Britain's kings were the first in Europe to be brought to heel; (because the Stuarts were such a useless bunch of untalented, incompetent, arrogant, upper-class thickoes that Parliament didn't have much choice.)
A book about then that is also incisive and illuminating about now, "2000 Years of Upper Class Idiots in Charge", is a hilarious, informative and cantankerous journey through Britain' fascinating and bizarre history. As entertaining as a witch burning, and a lot more laughs.
When a historian says ‘Waterloo’, do you automatically think of Abba? Do you wonder how Neville chamberlain failed to realize that Hitler was a baddie when the Fuhrer was so clearly wearing a Nazi armband? And why did the Normans fight the Saxons at a place called ‘Battle?’did they just see the road signs and just think that’s where they were supposed to go? From 55 BC to 1945, An Utterly Impartial History of Britain informs, explains, but most of all laughs at the seemingly incomprehensible rollercoaster of events that make up the story of Great Britain. Packed with great characters trapped in impossible dilemmas, this true-life drama will have you on the edge of your seats thinking ‘I wonder which of them dies at the end?’ (Well, they all do obviously. It was ages ago.) As entertaining as a witch burning and a lot more laughs. ‘Mum, Dad, the Second Crusade is starting! Can we put a St George’s flag on the cart?’ ‘No dear, we don’t want everyone to think Daddy is a builder.’
John O'Farrell studied history at Desborough Comprehensive, where he got a B in his O level. He later continued his research by watching lots of programmes about the Nazis on the UK History Channel. Apart from that he has published three novels, a memoir and three collections of his popular Guardian column. A former comedy scriptwriter for such shows as Spitting Image and Smith and Jones, he is the founder of the satirical website NewsBiscuit and can occasionally be spotted on such TV programmes as Grumpy Old Men, Newsnight Review and Have I Got News For You.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
Hilarious Potted History I thoroughly enjoyed this hysterical "romp" through two thousand years of British History; its well over 25 years since I was at school and was taught at lot of this in History lessons, but its amazing how much you forget or just didn't take in first time around. John O'Farrell has taken his time and done his research and writes with such interest and humour that its probably the first time i've giggled out aloud whilst reading a history book! I absolutely recommend this book to anyone, its an easy... more info
Harmless laugh a minute stuff I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is harmless lightweight fun. It is a book written by a liberal lefty for liberal lefties (or those on the right who don't mind a bit of fun being poked at them). If you seriously believe that Great Britain is inherently superior, or that the British Empire was a wholly good thing, or that Maggie was a great PM you should probably avoid. The approach to humour is of the scattergun approach, so inevitably some of the gags fall flat, but overall it had me regurlarly... more info
New Farrell Fan Never before have I opened a history book, and I've opened a few, and laughed out loud as I've read.
Page after page of well known history with dashes of uncommon knowledge are laced with the author's humorous takes on what our ancestors did.
If you are unfamiliar with our past, then this will easily give you all the kind of stuff in memorable fashion that will leave you feeling like a true history buff. If you are familiar with what has gone before I would still encourage you to venture into... more info
Finally a history education i enjoyed You can't help learning something with this book. it's well written, intelligent, funny, utterly impartial of course, and full of all the stuff you slept thru at school made interesting. just back from 2-weeks in northern France i was a fount of knowledge about William the Conqueror, Richard the Lion Heart, Normans, and English and French royalty. And the most important thing i feel is that i have left this book with an interest awakened in the world around me rather than viewing the history of our... more info
