Bookseller Reviews
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A Right Royal Bunch..
In a triumphant romp through history, David Mitchell explores the history of (mostly) kings from Arthur (made up!) to Elizabeth 1st, and tries to answer th... READ MORE
One of the best books I've read this year!
David Mitchell's "Unruly" stands out as a wonderfully narrated history of English monarchs from Arthur to Elizabeth I. It's incredibly funny, entertaining,... READ MORE
Disorderly, disruptive, rowdy and wild; I loved it!
This book reads like a heart to heart with a grumpy uncle who has strong historical opinions he MUST share, but in the best of ways. Mitchell's tone, humou... READ MORE
Synopsis
A seriously funny, seriously clever history of our early kings and queens by one of our favourite comedians and cultural commentators.
This will be the most refreshing, entertaining history of England you'll have ever read.
Certainly, the funniest.
Because David Mitchell will explain how it is not all names, dates or ungraspable historical headwinds, but instead show how it's really just a bunch of random stuff that happened with a few lucky bastards ending up on top. Some of these bastards were quite strange, but they were in charge, so we quite literally lived, and often still live, by their rules.
It's a great story. And it's our story. If you want to know who we are in modern Britain, you need to read this book.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
- ISBN: 9781405953191
- Number of pages: 448
- Dimensions: 197 x 128 x 30 mm
- Weight: 350g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allOne step forward, two steps back
I found the writing style of David Mitchell difficult. I reached page 79 and with it, I reached peak frustration. I admire Mitchell's lightning fast wit ... READ MORE
It is David Mitchell on Kings & Queens of England - What do you expect?
David Mitchell is a man who, like Stephen Fry, appears to know a lot more than he actually does. He is a high priest of popular erudition - he reads reall... READ MORE
Another one please!
I really enjoyed this book. As others have said, you almost imagine Mitchell reading this to you, which worked well for me. It’s an irreverent look at the... READ MORE
David Mitchell shows how clever he is at History.
I wonder who this book is written for - it's not for people with little or no knowledge of English History as in order to "get" the humour and the whip sma... READ MORE
Very interesting read
(Signed hardback edition).
Very interesting book that covers from "the mists of time" up until the end of Elizabeth I's reign.
David is whitty and funny ... READ MORE
Good for anagrams of Canute
A well researched book by an experienced historical scholar. David Mitchell wants to tell the truth of uk royal history as he sees it without the formal sc... READ MORE
Hilarious!
This book had me howling most of the way though. I'm an advid history buff so to read it all like this was different, fresh brilliant. I will more than lik... READ MORE
Don't leave this on the shelf for months unread like I did, it's brilliant!
Upfront, I have to admit that I have been bannedn from reading this in bed, as my laughter was keeping Mrs awake! Wonderfully irreverant, brilliantly funn... READ MORE
Not my usual genre but enjoyable
This book is not the type of book I would usually choose but I actually really enjoyed it. Very easy to read and funny at the same time.