Humour and history, what's not to like?

Thanks to QI and Horrible Histories my interest in history has been rekindled.
Greg being a historical consultant for Horrible Histories this was the perfect opportunity for me to download, listen and consume history in a funny and accessible way.
Greg takes us on a tour of how in one day of our lives, different societies have contributed to how modern life has been shaped.
Congratulations to Greg who makes this an enjoyable experience.
It was all fascinating, funny and sometimes bizarre.

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7 people found this helpful

fascinating but some of the jokes grate a bit

This is an interesting and enjoyable work. Some of the quips and jokes are annoying but the book is well worth a visit

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2 people found this helpful

Full on

Filled with factoids about everyday things the book can be a bit over whelming and may need a re-listen. Apart from that small gripe it’s well read and brilliant!

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Well structured and thoroughly enjoyable

Really enjoyed listening to this book. It is full of facts presented in a fascinating story from the beginning to the end of a modern day. Love Greg’s voice reading it too - like a giant episode of his podcast.

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Interesting History, Annoying Delivery

The content of this book should speak wonderfully for itself... but it doesn't get a chance, because Greg Jenner wants you to think he's funny; at least, that is how this audiobook comes across.

Jenner constantly uses colloquialisms and vulgarity to try and achieve humour (thus reach?). Unfortunately, this results in a very forced and condescending delivery, which was irritating, and immensely distracting from the often interesting factual content.

A hard, hard book to get through.

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4 people found this helpful

interesting

interesting in parts although alot of it I'd heard before. if some of the language was changed would make an excellent kids/teenager book

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1 person found this helpful

An interesting idea, very well carried through

An interesting idea, very well carried through from the historian of the BBC's Horrible Histories and You're Dead to Me. The main carp that may be made is that the witticisms and punning whimsy may get a bit forced at times, but overall it works fine, even for a scientist (ret) and a very amateur historian as myself. Well worth the effort.

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Endlessly fascinating

Full of interesting facts weaved together in a compelling narrative and delivered with humorous confidence by the author.

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Brilliant

I really love listening to Greg Jenner. His books never fail to amuse and inform. This book really taught me a lot about bathroom behaviour through the ages and dentistry. Fascinating facts and perfect puns punctuate this brilliant book.

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Nothing wrong with the content I just found the style got in the way.

I was never taught history and it is only now I'm my late forties that I begin to see its wonders.
Because I have very little knowledge base I like a broad brush approach, and this seemed like a great premise personal enough to relate too but broad enough to get a bigger picture. This was one of the first audio books I listened to and I just found the style of the writing a bit annoying. I don't mind scatological or humorous but I don't need to be dug in the ribs. And I guess for me that was the problem I felt the author was trying too hard to say 'look this is funny' when I think you can make your own mind up and laugh if and when you want to. Nothing wrong with the content I just found the style got in the way.

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2 people found this helpful