Rivals! Frenemies Who Changed the World cover art

Rivals! Frenemies Who Changed the World

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Rivals! Frenemies Who Changed the World

By: Scott McCormick
Narrated by: Prentice Onayemi, Samantha Turret, Khristine Hvam, Gabriel Vaughan, Josh Hurley
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About this listen

Exclusively on Audible, hilarious history for ages eight and up

Did you know that most of our dinosaur fossils were discovered because two grown men absolutely hated each other? It’s true!

Rivals! Frenemies Who Changed the World is a riotous audio exclusive, like if Monty Python taught your history class. Each volume of four 30-minute histories will dig into the petty name-calling and grumbling grudges that led to many of the world’s greatest advancements, all delivered with a cheeky sense of humor.

Choose sides: Cope or Marsh, the jerks who discovered so many dinosaurs; Hamilton or Burr, whose rivalry fueled American politics; Queen Elizabeth or Mary Queen of Scots, who fought to rule England; Adidas or Puma, whose rivalry changed the world of sports and fashion.

Kidnappings, rock fights, duels, and explosions, Rivals! shows world leaders at their absolute best and their worst, often at the same time.

©2018 Scott McCormick (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC. Biographies History Kids Audible Originals Funny Witty History For Kids Kids Nonfiction Funny Science Fiction Environmental Engineering Funny Biography

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All stars
Most relevant
The person saying it was way too slow and way boring. Make it more exciting

The teenage voice of Mary

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Almost a 'Horrible Histories' but for the ear. Only available on Audible, I believe, and the sound effects and narrative asides will probably amuse the children listening (I found them a little annoying).

The stories, though, were great. While I knew the history of Queens Elizabeth and Mary, I hadn't heard the stories of the Adidas/Puma rivalry, or that of the paleontologists and American politicians covered here.

My favourite was the Adidas/Puma story, but each showed a fascinating insight into how feuding can lead to innovation and advances (though not always positive ones).

Each story gives background and complete history of the feud (certainly important when historical - the Elizabeth/Mary segment had fun with Mary/merry/marry wordplay). Each was also accessible enough for a 10 year old to follow.

Only 3 hours in total, I was certainly keen to learn more about some of these stories when finishing, and I believe young people may feel the same too. There are duels here, details about elections, royalty, dinosaurs, a wealth of topics to spark an interest in the true stories of history.

Personally, the silly noises ("Jersey!") didn't add to the listening experience for me, but I'm really not the listener the producers were considering when putting this together. The narrator is clear and speaks with enthusiasm, which is the most important aspect, as there is no written material for a reader to refer back to.

Short but enticing Terry Deary-esque look at historical arguments that made their mark - for ages 9-13.

With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.

Full of information, silly asides add interest

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This seems like a horrible history knock off but they would be wrong! This book is delightful and funny and I loved learning about all the rivalries! I’m a kid who loves books and history and puma so this itches the scratch that came after I read horrible history! :)

Awesome stuff

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Even as an adult, I enjoyed these kid’s history lessons. I’m starting book 2 now.

Even as an adult…

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Particularly found the Adidas versus Puma fascinating. So much history just in the logo! 👟

Actually some good..

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