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An Utterly Impartial History of Britain or 2000 Years of Upper-class Idiots in Charge [Hardcover]

John O'Farrell
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (166 customer reviews)
RRP: £16.99
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Book Description

22 Oct 2007

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 an hilarious, informative and cantankerous journey through Britain' fascinating and bizarre history.As entertaining as a witch burning, and a lot more laughs.


Frequently Bought Together

An Utterly Impartial History of Britain or 2000 Years of Upper-class Idiots in Charge + An Utterly Exasperated History of Modern Britain: or Sixty Years of Making the Same Stupid Mistakes as Always + 1000 Years of Annoying the French
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Product details

  • Hardcover: 512 pages
  • Publisher: Doubleday; 1st Edition 1st Printing edition (22 Oct 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0385611986
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385611985
  • Product Dimensions: 16.7 x 24.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (166 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 190,268 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Review

Excellent...John O'Farrell gives an extra squirm to the traditional English comedy of embarrassment (Sunday Times )

So funny because it rings true...Packed with painfully observed jokes (The Times )

Punchline fuelled, relentless humour...Is John O'Farrell funny? Very! (The Mirror )

A tart narrative voice and a delectably understated way with wisecracks...Very, very funny (New York Times )

O'Farrell is a consistently humorous writer with an acute ear for the absurdities of middle class pretension (Mail On Sunday )

Book Description

A cantankerous history of Britain by one of our most popular humorists

Inside This Book (Learn More)
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
120 of 132 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a former university history student, I have to say that I knew shockingly little about the times of Ancient and post- Cromwellian Britain. Most history books I read were so dry and, frankly, dull, that I felt my head hitting the page after the first lines of the introduction. This book is totally different, and all the better for it. From reading this book, the author has made British history flow from one dynasty to the next so that you are compelled to turn the page. OK, so it might not be a true historians critique of our past, but it's one that is easily relatable. Running through the narrative is a wonderfully sarcastic wit, which not only serves to make the book more pleasurable to read but also reminds us of our true murky past, should we think that Britains history is one of stiff- upper- lipped honour and decency from start to finish. Each monarch is scrutinised for what they really were, from Elizabeth I and what really caused the defeat of the Spanish Armada (bad weather!) to the puritanical despotism of Cronwell's rule, despite being seen nowadays as almost a national hero, having a statue in pride of place outside Westminster.

I would recommend this book to anyone, as a funny, witty, and informative guide to British History. If you're new to History or just want to refresh your memory or expand your knowledge, this book is well worth a read. It'll make you laugh too, which is always a plus!
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79 of 88 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars History with humour 4 Jun 2008
By Ichabod J VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
O'Farrell enters Bill Bryson territory here by providing a read that's informative yet fun - it gives a basic chronological account of British history, the facts interspersed with a great many jokes, most of which warrant a bit of a smile if not outright mirth.

It's certainly worth a go if you want to reacquaint yourself with the rudiments of our island's history, or maybe find out about them for the first time if the dry and dusty approach to History at school left you yawning.

Overall, a very entertaining read provided one doesn't get cross with its flippant approach to the subject, which would be to miss the point. Those wanting a scholarly treatment should look elsewhere, but if you like to have a laugh and learn a bit as you go, this is for you.
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107 of 123 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Amusing but poorly researched 4 Nov 2007
Format:Hardcover
As a History teacher, I'm all for making the subject more accessible and fun. This book tries to be a cross between '1066 And All That' and the Terry Deary 'Horrible History' for adults. Parts of it are very funny indeed and there are some sections which do inform as they entertain. Unfortunately, and I hate to be a killjoy, the whole thing is let down by the sheer laziness and superficiality of John O'Farrell's research. As he cheerfully admits , his factual information is largely skimmed from a few books and a quick trawl through the internet. Parts are just plain wrong, and as another reviewer says he seems completely ignorant of the last 20 years of Historical research. His account of the First World War, for example, is full of old myths and inaccuracies. Much of his 'analysis' is simply assertion, and there is no sense that History is a subject open to debate and different interpretations. To be fair, the title and subtitle of the book do acknowledge this in a way. However, if you're going to enthuse people about a subject, surely you should make some effort to make the information you're putting across as accurate as possible. I don't think Bill Bryson would have received plaudits for his popular science book if he'd got Einstein's Theory Of Relativity completely wrong!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT A LAUGH
I found this wonderful. The best history book i have ever read and it destroys a lot of historical myth.
Published 7 days ago by Douglas Kilborn
3.0 out of 5 stars Amusing
There seems to be a flood of sarcastic histories of Britain at the moment and this is one of the more amusing. Quite enjoyable but definitely not to be taken seriously.
Published 11 days ago by E. G. Browning
5.0 out of 5 stars Utterly Impartial History
Someone borrowed my copy and I see it on his shelves when I visit - so I just had to get another copy. Hilarious is the term for this tongue in cheek social history. Read more
Published 15 days ago by Dr. James F. Mckellican
5.0 out of 5 stars History hadn't seemed this fun in years!!!
This book is essentially like the "Very Bloody History of Britain" books which I read as a kids but aimed at adults. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Geoff
5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Class
Totally hilarious and have become an O'Farrell addict now. Keep up the good work John, on your follow up now
Published 1 month ago by Lennie McQueen
5.0 out of 5 stars Utterly impossible to put down
Very funny indeed, with lots of surprising twists. You won't regret reading this and will find it hard to put down.
Published 1 month ago by Victoria Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars A 5 star read.
I loved this book so much I bought it first hard copy and later for kindle. Fascinating, interesting and humorous.
Published 1 month ago by johnoeuph
5.0 out of 5 stars "Horrible histories" for adults
This is history from the viewpoint of the ordinary working class folk. This is the book which knocks the pompous titled idiots who messed up the lives of the poor for centuries... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Scrat
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun fun fun
I like John O'Farrell anyway and loved this book that was both informative and very very silly .Wish he did more like this
Published 2 months ago by andiebat
4.0 out of 5 stars Good
This is a good book if your into history, politics and comedy. It gives a concise but out spoken view on the past.
Published 2 months ago by Max
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