A good idea ruined by irritating narration

What would have made A Million Years in a Day better?

This is a great idea for a book and I was looking forward to hearing it. The content, is reasonably interesting, but I confess I gave up after a few chapters as I couldn't stand anymore of the chirpy, unfunny narration. The book should have been a little more serious in tone. Nothing wrong with jokes, if they are funny, but he tries to hard to be humorous and fails.

What didn’t you like about Greg Jenner’s performance?

Sometimes when an author reads his own book it really works; alas not in this case. I found his style patronising and irritating. He fancies himself something of a comedian, but his humour is puerile and childish.

What character would you cut from A Million Years in a Day?

The narrator.

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16 people found this helpful

So many fascinating facts!

If you could sum up A Million Years in a Day in three words, what would they be?

Lively, engaging and informative

What did you like best about this story?

All of it! I thought the format of using a modern day as a way of looking at the history of everyday things & routines was great

Have you listened to any of Greg Jenner’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I haven't heard any other performances by Greg Jenner but I really enjoyed this one. Author's reading their own books can be hit or miss, but I thought this was great and Greg's chatty style worked really well with the contents of the book

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Well as a non-fiction book I wasn't waiting to hear what happened in the way that you might with a novel but I thoroughly enjoyed it and it definitely helped pass the time ion a long drive

Any additional comments?

Anyone who like popular science & history would enjoy this book

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15 people found this helpful

The most enjoyable history lesson you've ever had

Really enjoyed this book - entertaining, fascinating and often surprising. Made all the better for being read by the author. :)

Highly recommended!

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14 people found this helpful

Too eager to please

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I was really intrigued by this book and greatly looking forward to it. Unfortunately it was quite a disappointment. The jokey tone quickly became grating, it felt like listening to a supply teacher desperately try and be cool and fun,

What was most disappointing about Greg Jenner’s story?

I think Home by Bill Bryson often covers similar ground and does so in a style and manner that is far more entertaining and thought provoking.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The tone of the book is quite jokey, and the narrator was a little too keen to emphasise that fact. It felt like a reading for children.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I have to be honest and say I listened to two hours of this before finally giving up. It wasn't for me.

Any additional comments?

I think Home by Bill Bryson often covers similar ground and does so in a style and manner that is far more entertaining and thought provoking

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10 people found this helpful

Detailed, but could be more thorough

I love the premise of the book, and Jenner executes it well. However, whilst the areas covered in the book are done so in detail, the book misses out certain key areas such as more recent historical events (particularly much of the 20th century). Perhaps this is the makings of a sequel? I'd love to read a similar coverage of wider society, for instance with government, healthcare, policing, and other such areas not explored all that much in this book.

Please do read this book if you've ever wondered, for instance, how our cave-dwelling ancestors slept!

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8 people found this helpful

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

History Doesn't Repaet Itself, People Do

Greg has done a stellar job with this book. I am a history buff. Greg's delivery and animated prose riverted me. The line he shared, "History doesn't repeat itself, people do." arrested my attention.

This is a book for all ages.

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6 people found this helpful

Fascinating.

Will make you think more of those day to day things.
A glimpse of the history behind such things as beds, dentists, clothes, and even cutlery
The author reading the book really helps add to the enjoyment

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5 people found this helpful

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

buy and listen now!

Funny and informative: a plethora of useless yet fascinating information narrated in a unique and engaging manner.

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4 people found this helpful