Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6533 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-22
• Binding: Hardcover
• 512 pages

Synopsis
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 descendants 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. It is as entertaining as a witch burning, and a lot more laughs.

Customer Reviews

Brilliant reminder of our history
This should be compulsory reading for schools - a brilliant reminder of our history preesented in a light hearted, easy to read way. Nothing like '1066- and all that' as one reviewer has stated much more subtle humour than that. I don't see that it is a totally 'impartial' history but leans a little to the authors politics. However, this never gets in the way of a good read.

So-so
O'Farrell sets out to provide a readable version of British history, which he largely succeeds in. However, the book is let down by a number of factors - the history of Wales and Scotland are largely ignored except where they interact with that of England; and the "humour" gets a bit boring and predictable after a while. It is also difficult to tell in places what is joke and what is fact. Some areas of history which are open to interpretation are also presented in a way which makes it appear that not only is O'Farrell's account the correct one, but that it is also the only one.

Very funny as well as interesting
If you like Blackadder-like humor then this book is perfect for you. It covers the entire history of England and is very easy to read. Whether everything stated in this book is factually correct I don't know, but it's a good laugh nonetheless.