Listen free for 30 days
-
Ask a Historian
- 50 Surprising Answers to Things You Always Wanted to Know
- Narrated by: Dan Schreiber, Greg Jenner, Janina Ramirez, Shappi Khorsandi
- Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Ask a Historian
Buy Now for £12.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
Summary
Why is Italy called Italy? How old is curry? How fast was the medieval Chinese post system? How do we know how people sounded in the past? Who invented maths?
Responding to fifty genuine questions from the public, Greg Jenner takes you on an entertaining tour through history from the Stone Age to the Swinging Sixties, revealing the best and most surprising stories, facts and historical characters from the past. From ancient joke books, African empires and the invention of meringues, to mummies, mirrors and menstrual pads—Ask A Historian is a deliciously amusing and informative smorgasbord of historical curiosities.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
Critic reviews
"Jenner uses all the questions you never dared to ask about history as an excellent excuse to rummage around in some funny, fascinating, and downright peculiar corners of the past. Every page contains delights, and you will be illuminated and entertained in equal measure." (Lindsey Fitzharris, author of The Butchering Art)
"If history informs our future, Greg Jenner is one of the best informants out there. He is a natural story-teller, conveying complex ideas and events with pep, verve, and wit. For anyone who regularly asks the question 'Why?', this book is for you." (Susie Dent, author of Word Perfect)
More from the same
What listeners say about Ask a Historian
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Valerie Bayliss
- 08-11-21
Really entertaining
This is an excellent informative, well written and researched book. I love Greg’s history podcast and regularly listen on long dog walks. I thought this would be ideal to continue my tradition, but it was so entertaining that I ended up listening to it all day. I prefer books read by the author on the whole, and his enthusiasm for the subject shines through the narration. Please don’t be put off by the review regarding bad language, there’s not much and it is in context. Recommend 100%.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall2 out of 5 stars
-
Performance1 out of 5 stars
-
Story1 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 05-11-21
Spoiled my casual swearing
I was looking forward to it this book enormously. But within minutes the grating sounds of contemporary swearing punctuated the text. It sounded like grandpa trying to be 'down with the kids' but it was simply embarrassing in the effort to be cool. Why historians of this 'New' generation think it's great to swear or use mockney and other devices to curry favour, rather than just tell us what is already fascinating without the addition of thier 'personality' I just don't know! safe to say this book is off my Christmas list for my god-children.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance2 out of 5 stars
-
Story1 out of 5 stars
- John Payter
- 10-03-22
It’s ok
The narrator keeps referring to himself and how funny he is, he’s not. It was ok. I bought it for the history so it was my mistake. The humour is “Mildly Whacky” and not my cup of tea. It’s a shame because there of lots of really good, interesting and unusual subjects.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- b
- 04-04-22
Beautifully written, meticulously researched
I absolutely love this book. It's really carefully researched and I've learnt so much but it's also written in a very accessible and engaging way. Beautifully done, thank you Greg, please keep writing (and reading out) your books!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall2 out of 5 stars
-
Performance2 out of 5 stars
-
Story2 out of 5 stars
- David
- 14-02-23
Good concept but irritating narration
Like what other reviewers have said, I found the style of the author/narrator annoying. It felt like a children’s book at times with the silly humour but then with the use of profanities it obviously isn’t - so who is it aimed at? Some of the questions and answers were mildly interesting but the vast majority I found somewhat tedious. Shame because I found the idea intriguing enough to make the purchase but found the delivery wasn’t great and the toilet humour jokes wear off very quickly
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Margaret
- 10-06-22
Funny and interesting
This is not your average history book! It is very interesting, well told and the author has a great sense of humour. It’s a tantalising snippet of lots of different parts of history.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Olivia Donnelly
- 09-06-22
Loved the style!
Loved that it was in a conversational style! felt like you were just having a really interesting chat. Lots of fascinating answers too!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- L. Wiblin
- 20-04-22
smorgasbord of historical treats
excellent and diverse romp through various historical questions and conundrums. perfect accompaniment to a long car journey if you're a nerd like me
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ruth
- 02-06-22
Fab
Loved it. Greg's podcasts are also brilliant. A thoroughly engaging, funny and interesting listen. Highly recommend.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- SoMrHarris
- 13-10-23
History is no longer boring!
I never enjoyed history in school, and as an adult I've felt my knowledge of historic events was lacking. This is a great book full of really interesting stories from throughout history, in easy to digest segments. Greg does a great job of explaining things in simple terms, whilst being genuinely funny, and a great narrator too!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Matthew K Wendelken
- 24-03-22
best bonus content ever!
I never laughed so much during a history book. It keeps you engaged you don't want to "put it down"
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Aviv Ben Zeev
- 03-12-23
Very interesting historical bits
I liked many of the questions and answers and the narration really conveyed the author's enthusiasm of the subject. One remark - some of the questions were very much based in UK history so if one is unfamiliar with the historical background one might not understand what this is about. ... other than that a very entertaining and informative book
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Wac
- 21-02-23
History is always entertaining with Greg Jenner!
This is a highly amusing and very informative book. There is an added extra in the brilliantly funny bonus chapter at the end of the audio book. I love listening to Greg Jenner read his books, host his marvellous podcast, and am just an all-round fan! A brilliant way to get kids interested in hisar.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Axel
- 23-12-22
Funny and informative at the same time
Even though many of the questions in this book are a bit narrow or more like a joke, Greg manages to teach so much history! And I laughed a lot!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- linsey
- 01-12-22
Greg Jenner is a delight!
I enjoyed his wonderful and fun he makes history. Truly thought provoking and wonderfully paced.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nancy
- 09-09-22
Amazing book
Greg Jenner is an excellent historian and I have enjoyed every one of his books. Even when I thought I had no interest in the subject he shows it in a way I end up finding fascinating.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- JRTT
- 21-02-22
More like “Ask a British Historian”
I’m not sure why I felt this book would have been broader in perspective to what it was - a British and largely western, largely Christian view of answers related to world history. (in some instances I felt there was a too much Bible referencing, but then I did well to consider that perhaps, I was NOT the targeted audience). While I did find certain topics enjoyable and learned more than a few things, the vast majority of them felt rather clichéd. The answer on the Windrush generation for example, felt pretty hollow when many Caribbean people would have experienced the social narratives of those generations through West Indian literature - Samuel Selvon’s Lonely Londoners and George Lamming’s The Emigrants come to mind. But in fairness to Mr Jenner, it is a historian being asked and whoever heard of literature being reliable sources of history? The bonus material at the end was pretty jarring with all the laughter and chatting and then a somewhat predictable take with lack of diversity and an episode of retelling which made me reflect “oh, so THAT’S how the British Museum did it so nonchalantly; take a little something here, a little something there”. A fair performance but not something I would listen to again.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story3 out of 5 stars
- Tara K. Morrison
- 07-02-22
Well worth a listen
If you like history that goes down rabbit holes and you prefer British accents, you’ll love this. You can feel the scholarly backbone while laughing at the humor. Would appreciate more references to how we know what we know, but otherwise a gem. Bonus content hugely entertaining and informative.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!