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An Utterly Exasperated History of Modern Britain
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Product Description
Book Description
John O'Farrell is back with his utterly impartial, cantankerous journey through history, bringing us right up to the present day
Product Description
Following his hugely popular account of the previous 2000 years, John O'Farrell now comes bang up to date with a hilarious modern history asking 'How the hell did we end up here?'
An Utterly Exasperated History of Modern Britain informs, elucidates and laughs at all the bizarre events, ridiculous characters and stupid decisions that have shaped Britain's story since 1945; leaving the Twenty-First Century reader feeling fantastically smug for having the benefit of hindsight.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
61 of 66 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
If you're like me (never bothered studying history, have only recently started reading newspapers and becoming interested in politics) and have a vague sense of the political scene and are looking for a modern history book to fill you in, then this is probably the one you want.
Over the years I've soaked up a folklore history of politics (Thatcher vs. Miners etc etc) but never really known the ins and outs of everything from post World War II. John O'Farrell not only takes you through this fascinating modern history, but the dry wit of his comedy never misses the mark: every paragraph, at least, I was chuckling along.
But the greatest aspect of the comedy is how he can turn it off to go "But in all seriousness, pay attention for a second because here is my view on..." which he does a few times to great effect. He challenges commonly accepted views and media-created folklore (the dire life of post-war rationing, the 'golden age' of the 1950s, the 'swinging sixties' etc) to really make you think about what a privileged society we live in today, despite all of its ills, and for you to really think next time you hear someone say things were better in their day.
The chapters are well devised and structured (with great section headers throughout), and though it is written from a generally pro-Labour standpoint don't think it's all a lovey-dovey lefty stance. If you're a level headed person who wonders how on earth the current political-economic situation came around, then you'll agree with what's said.
If you want to know how on earth the Middle-East situation, or any other number of foreign affair issues, came about then buy this book and you'll be as dumbfounded as I was about just how the 'auld empire' gave its countries back to their people.
In short, I was looking for a mid-length enjoyable read to fill me in on everything from 1945-2008 so I could know our modern history before the next general election - and got exactly what I was looking for.
If you enjoyed the previous book (An Utterly Impartial History of Britain: (or 2000 Years of Upper Class Idiots in Charge)) then you'll love this. And vice versa.
Over the years I've soaked up a folklore history of politics (Thatcher vs. Miners etc etc) but never really known the ins and outs of everything from post World War II. John O'Farrell not only takes you through this fascinating modern history, but the dry wit of his comedy never misses the mark: every paragraph, at least, I was chuckling along.
But the greatest aspect of the comedy is how he can turn it off to go "But in all seriousness, pay attention for a second because here is my view on..." which he does a few times to great effect. He challenges commonly accepted views and media-created folklore (the dire life of post-war rationing, the 'golden age' of the 1950s, the 'swinging sixties' etc) to really make you think about what a privileged society we live in today, despite all of its ills, and for you to really think next time you hear someone say things were better in their day.
The chapters are well devised and structured (with great section headers throughout), and though it is written from a generally pro-Labour standpoint don't think it's all a lovey-dovey lefty stance. If you're a level headed person who wonders how on earth the current political-economic situation came around, then you'll agree with what's said.
If you want to know how on earth the Middle-East situation, or any other number of foreign affair issues, came about then buy this book and you'll be as dumbfounded as I was about just how the 'auld empire' gave its countries back to their people.
In short, I was looking for a mid-length enjoyable read to fill me in on everything from 1945-2008 so I could know our modern history before the next general election - and got exactly what I was looking for.
If you enjoyed the previous book (An Utterly Impartial History of Britain: (or 2000 Years of Upper Class Idiots in Charge)) then you'll love this. And vice versa.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After reading the "An Utterly Impartial ..." book I was quite looking forward to reading this one. It is a good book which nicely distils 60 years of post war British history into an enjoyable book.
Sadly the humour in this book isn't as funny as in the previous book - although still quite amusing in places. And the other thing that probably has an impact is that British post war history quite frankly isn't that uplifting, it's basically one long story of steady decline.
However, for a good, quick overview of modern British history it is worth reading. So go for it, you won't regret it.
Sadly the humour in this book isn't as funny as in the previous book - although still quite amusing in places. And the other thing that probably has an impact is that British post war history quite frankly isn't that uplifting, it's basically one long story of steady decline.
However, for a good, quick overview of modern British history it is worth reading. So go for it, you won't regret it.
13 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book after seeing John Farrell on the tv one morning, i enjoyed it as i lived through most of the content,
a good insight into the ruling classes,i normally get bored with a book half way through,but i finished this one,which is all one needs to know, a jolly good read.
a good insight into the ruling classes,i normally get bored with a book half way through,but i finished this one,which is all one needs to know, a jolly good read.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Why the need to be so left wing?!
The book started off promising with the writer being objective and humourous.
But by '1979' the book became biased with O'Farrell revealing himself as a trendy lefty! Read more
But by '1979' the book became biased with O'Farrell revealing himself as a trendy lefty! Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jayfeebie
Not quite as funny as its predecessor
The book was delivered quickly and has made me laugh and cry at memories of the previous six decades. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Cheery shopper
Not for the academics..... But a great read
Whilst I understand this would not "float the boat" of many academics in the field of history (a little "left" sided like myself)it is a totally good read and factually in the most... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Den4QPR
Good book but misleading title
Having read O'Farrells other book on 2000 years of British History - I was expecting another humorous romp through history. Read more
Published 14 months ago by M. Readalot
John O'Farrell review
Very funny indeed. A good way of brightening up a historian's day or good for just for having a laugh.
Published 16 months ago by Rosie E. Wilson
Mixed feelings
I have mixed feelings about this book. The bad thing is that I did not find it funny, at all. I mean, honestly, I found the sense humour was pretty cr.p... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Max
Good Read
This is an OK book and if I hadn't read the previous book I would have said that it is a great book. I really enjoyed the first book, this one had several boring episodes. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Gadget Fan
Good Book.
While not as funny as his other book covering the previous 2000 years this was very enjoyable. I may not have agreed with all the points and was surrprised at the pro Blair stance... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Ali Cazalzabar
Far too glib to merit anything more.
I found this book in turn mildly interesting, derivitive, glib and finally far too one sided.
O'Farrell provides a fairly readable account of events up to approximately... Read more
O'Farrell provides a fairly readable account of events up to approximately... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Mr. A. Weston
Hugely funny
Very funny follow up to 2000 years of upper class idiots in charge. Anyone who enjoyed Not the 9 O'clock news / Spitting Image / Have I Got News for You, should buy both... Read more
Published 22 months ago by G. BROADBENT
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