Need history? Come here (An Utterly Impartial History of Britain or 2000 Years of Upper-class Idiots in Charge - John O'Farrell)

Member Name: SaveMeTheMoney

Product:	An Utterly Impartial History of Britain or 2000 Years of Upper-class Idiots in Charge - John O'Farrell
Date:	15/05/09 (30 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots

Disadvantages: none - although avoid if you want something scholarly

This is my first book review, as I have been somewhat reluctant to attempt to give a book that I liked a good enough review without giving away the plot! But I suppose with this non-fiction book, that should be easy enough to do as everyone will know what is in the book- although according to John O'Farrell, the author of An Utterly Impartial History of Britain or 2000 years of Upper Class Idiots in Charge, people will not know the stories in the book, as at school it waas always very boring!

Well, the content is certainly not boring! Britain has had what can only be described as a colourful history and O'Farrell's easy to read writing stlye helps in making what no doubt people thought was mundane and boring at school jump to life and seem like something out of the latest movie!

O'Farrell's book does, true to it's title, start roughly 2000 years ago and gives a brief run through of the more peculiar and interesting aspects of history right up to the present day. He does also give insight into some facts that you probably would not have been taught at school!

The book is informative and funny and this helps to make it difficult to put down. I know now I do keep going back to it, as my English history is not great! It does bring some light hearted humour to some dry, dull and dreay times, such as Cromwellian England, but for me that is what is needed. 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 - which after reading this book it is pretty clear that it was not.

It seeems pretty apparent that the main aim of O'Farrell is to teach (but not in a school teacher way) the story of Britain (although it is mostly English history) in an accessible and amusing mannner, and for the most part he succeeds in this respect. Sometimes, however, it is difficult to ascertain when the author is joking or trying to convey historical fact.

A book about then that is also incisive and illuminating about now , '2000 Years of Upper Class Idiots in Charge', is an hilarious, informative and cantankerous journey through Britain' fascinating and bizarre history.

It costs about a fiver in paper back and I think it is very much worth the money. Amusing and you learn some stuff. great.

Summary: great interesting read