I’ve recently been on the road during the day or at home sick so had the benefit of hearing a bit more Radio 4 than I normally would. That includes hearing the programme ‘book of the week’ . This may sound pretty dull, it but proved this week to be far from it with John O’Farrell’s An Utterly Impartial History of Britain (or 2000 Years of Upper Class Idiots in Charge).  The excerpts that have been broadcast have been very funny and educational.  For example in describing the politics of England prior to the Gun Powder plot the different factions have been likened to football teams and the occasional hooligan behaviour.

If history is taught in the manner that this book adopts, then I think we’ll have a lot more history students engaged and enjoying the subject.  On the strength of what I’ve heard I’d recommend the book.

 

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