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An Utterly Impartial History of Britain: (or 2000 Years of Upper Class Idiots in Charge) | 
 enlarge | Author: John O'farrell
Publisher: Black Swan
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy New: £3.79
You Save: £4.20 (53%)
New (25) Used (9) from £2.43
Rating:  46 reviews
Sales Rank: 476
Media: Paperback
Pages: 592
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5 x 1.6
ISBN: 0552773964
EAN: 9780552773966
ASIN: 0552773964
Publication Date: May 5, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...
 A book so utterly wonderful, I would defy you not to enjoy it! May 19, 2008
A J Martin
65 out of 70 found this review helpful
As a former university history student, I have to say that I knew shockingly little about the times of Ancient and post- Cromwellian Britain. Most history books I read were so dry and, frankly, dull, that I felt my head hitting the page after the first lines of the introduction. This book is totally different, and all the better for it. From reading this book, the author has made British history flow from one dynasty to the next so that you are compelled to turn the page. OK, so it might not be a true historians critique of our past, but it's one that is easily relatable. Running through the narrative is a wonderfully sarcastic wit, which not only serves to make the book more pleasurable to read but also reminds us of our true murky past, should we think that Britains history is one of stiff- upper- lipped honour and decency from start to finish. Each monarch is scrutinised for what they really were, from Elizabeth I and what really caused the defeat of the Spanish Armada (bad weather!) to the puritanical despotism of Cronwell's rule, despite being seen nowadays as almost a national hero, having a statue in pride of place outside Westminster.
I would recommend this book to anyone, as a funny, witty, and informative guide to British History. If you're new to History or just want to refresh your memory or expand your knowledge, this book is well worth a read. It'll make you laugh too, which is always a plus!
Laugh and cry July 16, 2008
G. J. Weeks (London)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Having an aversion to The Guardian I was not familiar with the excellent wit of the author until I read this book. I shall now seek out his other books. It is the funniest history I have read since 1066 and All that. it is excellent. I laughed out loud, read excerpts to friends and cried at parts of his WW2 chapter. Of course the title is ironic. He is a leftie but a very funny one. I guess from his name his background is Roman Catholic but if so he does well in a very Protestant story. It is informative and witty. I only wished he had gone on past 1945. Stimulating first class read. One spelling error spotted. Should be Meccano.
Funny June 5, 2008
Net Monkey (UK)
21 out of 24 found this review helpful
This is a funny and easy to read book. I agree with others that it isn't something you'd want to rely on for your History degree research, but that wouldn't be the point. It romps along from one era to the next, with O'Farrell's customary "light" touch, and it's surprising how much you might pick up along the way!
1066 and All That Rides Again (with one big difference) August 17, 2008
A. I. McCulloch (Co Durham)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
"1066 and All That" was the title of a spoof history text written in the 1930s that was less than accurate, to put it mildly, but which remained in print due to its humour for over 50 years.
John O'Farrell does write with accuracy as to the facts, but he is never less than entertaining, and frequently hilarious as to his very personal interpretations of them. This is a book that you can dip into, and almost any page will bring up a fact of which you were almost certainly previously unaware. (Want to know which English King possibly became an Italian monk? This will tell you.)
If you wanted a book to support and stimulate an older teenager's interest in history, this would be the one, but you may wish to keep it for yourself. Easy to pick up, and very, very difficult to put down.
Laugh a minute history June 9, 2008
Simon Hutchinson (Chesterfield, Derbyshire)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
Lets face facts.....this book wasn't written as a history lesson. For that you only have to browse the history section on this website, or pop to your local library (do they still exist ??). We've all sat and read (or at least tried to) a history book that claims to cover every fact and figure from the year dot right up to the present day. They are usually so dull that you end up growing a beard before you've reached page 10 (and that goes for the ladies too!). That is where this book differs. It's written in a way that makes you sit up and actually LAUGH at the last 2000 years. According to Mr O' Farrell (and i have to agree with him) our history has indeed been a mixed bag to say the least. The way he describes certain events is nothing short of hilarious. The humour doesn't let up for one minute, and you begin to wonder how the hell the author thinks of the things he does. No....i don't mean he makes up history, although given some of the events we have been through it would seem so. The Spanish Armada, defeated by the brave British....erm....if you like, but it turns out a stiff breeze and drizzle did it instead. To summarise, this is a great book for anyone who wants a light hearted look at old Blighty over the last few (thousand) years.
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