Feeling bereft without my warm, ribald, centrist companion

David Mitchell has been my funny, easy going, bookish mate for the last week. I have often wished we were down the pub together, getting geekily excited about idiot monarchs and hilarious royal fails over a pint or two (I wish). That is the tone: divulging serious stuff, yet ineffably friendly, effortlessly pinpointing the most ridiculous/inexplicable/farcical aspects of each anecdote, and often detouring into amusing tangents (eg having a favourite eye; a rant about killing off James Bond).

This is English history written accessibly, so much so that I plan to play it to my kids aged 15, 13 and 10 (with a massive trigger warning about all the uses of “fucked” and “cunt” or shd I say Cnut throughout). Other than the bad language it’s easily appropriate for any child reared on Horrible Histories and a good dose of the British school primary school history curriculum, and Mitchell does an excellent job of filling in all the gaps and making history FUNNY. I realised as I listened that this is the book I’ve always wanted – it doesn’t zoom in on one particular dynasty or era, but explains how they’re all linked up: which king usurped which, who was waiting in the wings to have a go next. Plus, he underlines nearly every preposterous and fanciful scenario with a vivid and compelling simile which serves to make the story even more readable.

He is master of the comic metaphor — one theme that comes up a couple of times is the idea of history as a long-running television soap opera, with dramatic changes in personnel at the top level reimagined as a big story-line to kill off a bunch of the soap’s characters, hastily organised to satisfy a new advertising contract.

I was gutted to realise that it did not go beyond the Tudors however and fervently hope that he is planning another instalment about the next 400 years. I’d love to hear his analysis of the four Georges and Queen Victoria — so ripe for comedic treatment and David Mitchell is the perfect man to take them on.

Bah. Now what do I listen to?

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2 people found this helpful

Ridiculously Funny

Thoroughly enjoyed this- some great insights well told with wonderful comedic timing

Imagine AJP Taylor in the style of Peep Show

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Hilarious, erudite, thoughtful

What a great book this was. Great to have David Mitchell reading it. For those just looking for a funny history book, you’ll love it. But there’s also a thesis running through it, best summed up in its final chapter.

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Brilliant conclusion.

I hope someone in the ‘royal family’ reads / listens to this but I doubt they will as critical self- awareness doesn’t seem to be one of their key characteristics.

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Brilliant and funny

This is a very entertaining and knowledgeable book. It is really funny too. Well done. David Mitchell I loved it. Recommend it if you’re a history buff.

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Engagingly Moorish

Would love David to do more history books! I found this unable to stop listening too due to his delivery and also his clear use of a time line helped keep me focused. I have ADHD but love history and sometimes it’s hard to keep me engaged but this was really fun for me. Thank you DM!

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The Rehabilitation of a History Hater.

Having been subjected to a fairly typical British education, I, like many, found History to be mind numbingly boring. Friday afternoons sat in a dingey classroom, probably built not long after the events covered in this book, staring out at the bleak, grey landscape through a drizzle streaked window, whilst listening to a man who one would assume had come pre-fitted with the room rattle on about some dead king, or angry religious figure, presumably first hand information, did very little to excite a young boys imagination. As such, when I saw that David Mitchell had released a book on the subject, I was conflicted: on the one hand David Mitchell is a truly excellent writer whose books I have read, or listened to, diligently, on the other hand surely even the mightily talent hand of David Mitchell couldn't turn history into a scintillating and fun listen. How wrong I was. Not only is the book a joy to listen to, jokes and anecdotes dotted throughout to keep what could be an unbearably dry topic from feeling dull for even a moment, it has even ignited an interest in me to learn more about English history. I find myself wanting to know more about the woes of King Steven, and the triumphs of King Henry V.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I highly recommend giving it a listen, even if, no, especially if you don't have the faintest interest in history, perhaps don't listen to this if you're a fan of Edward the Confessor though.

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Particularly Loved His Conclusions

Deceptively light take on England's monarchs. The research is there but not showy. His perspective is fresh and interesting. Very funny.
I particularly loved his conclusions.
A very enjoyable listen that I shall be recommending to everyone. Maybe the odd Christmas present sorted too!

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Dry Humour for History enjoyers

Informative, funny, worth a credit
Couple of times I found myself laughing out loud, not just exhaling heavily

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Binged

Couldn’t stop listening to this book. Regardless of having the print copy, nothing beats hearing the author read their own work.

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