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  • Published: 8 May 2008
  • ISBN: 9781407003412
  • Imprint: Cornerstone Digital
  • Format: Audio Download
  • Length: 4 hr 0 min
  • Narrator: John O'Farrell
  • Pages: 270
  • RRP: $12.99
Categories:

An Utterly Impartial History of Britain

(or 2000 Years Of Upper Class Idiots In Charge)




A cantankerous history of Britain by one of our most popular humorists

Many of us were put off history by the dry and dreary way it was taught at school. Back then 'The Origins of the Industrial Revolution' somehow seemed less compelling than the chance to test the bold claim on Timothy Johnson's 'Shatterproof' ruler.But here at last is a chance to have a good laugh and learn all that stuff you feel you really ought to know by now...

In this 'Horrible History for Grown Ups' you can read how Anglo-Saxon liberals struggled to be positive about immigration; 'Look I think we have to try and respect the religious customs of our new Viking friends - oi, he's nicked my bloody ox!'Discover how England's peculiar class system was established by some snobby French nobles whose posh descendents still have wine cellars and second homes in the Dordogne today. And explore the complex socio-economic reasons why Britain's kings were the first in Europe to be brought to heel; (because the Stuarts were such a useless bunch of untalented, incompetent, arrogant, upper-class thickoes that Parliament didn't have much choice.)

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.As entertaining as a witch burning, and a lot more laughs.

  • Published: 8 May 2008
  • ISBN: 9781407003412
  • Imprint: Cornerstone Digital
  • Format: Audio Download
  • Length: 4 hr 0 min
  • Narrator: John O'Farrell
  • Pages: 270
  • RRP: $12.99
Categories:

About the author

John O'Farrell

John O'Farrell's first book Things Can Only Get Better about his years spent helping the Labour Party lose elections at every level was a number one best-seller. Two decades later he published the sequel Things Can Only Get Worse. In between his two comic memoirs, he published five novels, including The Best A Man Can Get, May Contain Nuts and The Man Who Forgot His Wife; two funny history books (An Utterly Impartial History of Britain and its sequel) plus three collections of his satirical columns from The Guardian. His books have been translated into over thirty languages and adapted for TV and radio. Formerly a comedy scriptwriter for shows such as Spitting Image and Have I Got News For You, he more recently co-wrote the movie Chicken Run 2 and two Broadway musicals; Something Rotten! and Mrs Doubtfire.

Also by John O'Farrell

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Praise for An Utterly Impartial History of Britain

Excellent...John O'Farrell gives an extra squirm to the traditional English comedy of embarrassment

Sunday Times

So funny because it rings true...Packed with painfully observed jokes

The Times

Punchline fuelled, relentless humour...Is John O'Farrell funny? Very!

The Mirror

A tart narrative voice and a delectably understated way with wisecracks...Very, very funny

New York Times

O'Farrell is a consistently humorous writer with an acute ear for the absurdities of middle class pretension

Mail On Sunday