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An Utterly Impartial History of Britain

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An Utterly Impartial History of Britain

By: John O'Farrell
Narrated by: John O'Farrell
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About this listen

 Nominated for the Audiobook Download of the Year, 2008.

When a historian says "Waterloo", do you automatically think of Abba? Do you wonder how Neville Chamberlain failed to realize that Hitler was a baddie when the Fuhrer was so clearly wearing a Nazi armband? And why did the Normans fight the Saxons at a place called "Battle"? Did they just see the road signs and think that's where they were supposed to go?

From 55 BC to AD 1945, An Utterly Impartial History of Britain informs, explains, but most of all laughs at the seemingly incomprehensible rollercoaster of events that make up the story of Great Britain.

Packed with great characters trapped in impossible dilemmas, this true-life drama will have you on the edge of your seat, thinking "I wonder which of them dies at the end?" (Well, they all do obviously. It was ages ago.) As entertaining as a witch burning and a lot more laughs.

©2007 John O'Farrell (P)2008 Random House Audiobooks Europe Great Britain Funny England Witty Imperialism Winston Churchill War Military Tudor France King Royalty Interwar Period

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All stars
Most relevant  
I’m not a reader at all to my shame (exception: the Harry Potters) but I wanted to know more about British history. My other half researched a good book for this purpose and bought me this one. I started it numerous times over the past 11 years but got frustrated when I picked it up and felt I should start again so I never got past chapter 3! I eventually downloaded it on Audible which i got yesterday! Just finished the whole book in a day! Much better listening than reading as I could research things while listening, as they came up. Not the greatest narration it but did the job. I do think the ‘funny’ bits were much better when I started actually reading the book myself but were a bit cringey when they are read to you… at least it’s done now and I feel a little bit more informed.

Had this book for 11 years

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I love this book. It covers the whole of our history, but without me falling asleep once! It's very difficult to keep up with all the changing of dynasties and ages that went on in our past, but this book manages it, and throws in modern comparisons that make you smile, and make it all make sense.

A good laugh but with all the facts

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Would you consider the audio edition of An Utterly Impartial History of Britain to be better than the print version?
No unfortunately the abridged version is like star wars without stars or even wars.

What did you like best about this story?
I love the quirky narrative that will make you laugh time and time again.

How did the narrator detract from the book?
I think the author narrating the book is perfect and should be standard with exeptions obviously. EG phillip carlos, may he rest in peace.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Do you like history? do you want to be interested in history but cant stick that boring man/woman trying to make it fun but failing constantly? this is the new beginning

Any additional comments?
awesome book and narrative just too damn short

Wheres the unabidged version

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“Patriotism is not enough.” said Edith Cavell. She was right. A sense of humour is one of God’s greatest gifts to humanity, and the ability to laugh at one’s own absurdity might have prevented much carnage.
O’Farrell reminds us that, while Hitler and Mussolini became dictators, Britain (Daily Mail excluded!) just laughed at Oswald Mosley. If more folk had laughed at UKIP and Trump, we’d not be in such a mess now, on the brink of Brexit, with a superpower governed by tweets.

Short, laugh out loud history of UK

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I haven't heard the audio version of this but I have read the book and I think it's fantastic. Insightful, enlightening, informative and above all entertaining; John O'Farrell has brought all his wit and human insight to bear on the chequered history of these fair isles.

In respect to the previous reviewer?s points, I realise that everyone is entitled to their own view and certainly humour is subjective but to say that John O'Farrell has no aptitude for humour is largely unfair. I'd recommend you look up his fiction books such as \"May Contain Nuts\" and \"The Best A Man Can Get\" as well as his collections of writings for various newspapers to get a real insight in to just how much aptitude this man does have for humour.

A Fantastic and Accessible History of Britain

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It is just enough to make you listen on, and mixes the Oh I didn’t know that, with the smile, Bill Bryson in history

Fun review of history

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If only there was a book like this when I did history I may have taken note. Many a true word spoken in jest and despite some wonderfully funny observations there is a subtext of tragedy at mans ineptitude. Can?t rate it highly enough.

Bordering on seditious; very enjoyable.

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these book kept me entertained for its short duration, cant say i will remember this book in a years time though

a nice fun short listen

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This book kept me entertained all the way through, a pleasure. I recommend to all.

Excellent

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Really like this author and his podcast with Angela Barnes. Loved it but disappointed the audiobook is abridged.

History with humour

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