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Unruly

The Number One Bestseller ‘Horrible Histories for grownups’ The Times

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Unruly

By: David Mitchell
Narrated by: David Mitchell
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Brought to you by Penguin.

THE NO. 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Read by David Mitchell.

A funny book about a serious subject, Unruly is for anyone who has ever wondered how we got here - and who is to blame.

Think you know your kings and queens? Think again.

Taking us right back to King Arthur (spoiler: he didn't exist), Unruly tells the founding story of post-Roman England up to the reign of Elizabeth I (spoiler: she dies). It's a tale of narcissists, inadequate self-control, excessive beheadings, middle-management insurrection, uncivil wars, and at least one total Cnut.

How this happened, who it happened to and why it matters in modern Britain are all questions David Mitchell answers with brilliance, wit and the full erudition of a man who once studied history – and won't let it off the hook for the mess it's made.

*The Times Number One Bestseller October 2023*

'Clever, amusing, gloriously bizarre and razor sharp. Mitchell – a funny man and skilled historian – tells stories that are interesting and fun. Here is Horrible Histories for grownups’ GERARD DEGROOT, THE TIMES

‘Chatty, irreverent and liberally sprinkled with gags and opinions. Horrible Histories with added swearing’ GUARDIAN

'Mitchell clearly knows his history, with a book that owes as much to Monty Python as it does to Simon Schama' ANDREW MARR, BROADCASTER

©2023 David Mitchell (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Europe Great Britain Historical Politics & Activism Royalty England Funny Thought-Provoking Witty Comedy Arthurian Tudor War
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Critic Reviews

Unruly is part Horrible Histories part jolly romp guided by Alan Bennett. Perhaps this is how history should be done: not by patient scholars, but by free-swearing actor-comedians cramming more ideas and jokes into their pages than many professionals have committed to print in their careers.
Full of jokes and canny insights, 100 per cent sparkier and more revernt than your school textbooks
An enjoyable, rollicking read, definitely not a conventional history book
I don’t think anyone other than David Mitchell could have written this book. It’s clever, funny and makes you think quite differently about history we thought we knew
By turns fascinating and funny - there is a jewel of an insight or a refreshing blast of clarifying wit on every page. David brings a delightfully contrary and hilariously cantankerous eye to the history of the English Monarchy. Informative, illuminating and very very funny
Mitchell clearly knows his history, with a book that owes as much to Monty Python as it does to Simon Schama
A Peep Show history of England
Clever, amusing, gloriously bizarre and razor sharp. Mitchell - a funny man and a skilled historian - tells stories that are interesting and fun. His rants alone are worth the price of the book. And amid all the jokes and delightful nonsense, Mitchell sneaks in a serious message about English identity. Here is Horrible Histories for grownups - stripped of their finery, devoid of reverence, UNRULY's monarchs emerge as mortals with ordinary flaws. I learnt a lot and laughed a lot, and people who have never before picked up a history book will read and enjoy this one. That's an accomplishment
Chatty, irreverent and liberally sprinkled with gags and opinions. Horrible Histories with added swearing.
I can’t recommend this book enough. Very funny and interesting, it is above all a proper work of history
All stars
Most relevant
Love this audiobook. From the beginning it’s obvious that David Mitchell has done his homework, but the comedic value won’t be quelled, it’s in his genes!
I just wish it was longer! Please David, do the British Parliament next! Thank you.

Classic David Mitchell humour!

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such a great romp through the crazy politics of kings in England, all with wry observations and thoughtful insights

witty, smart, poignant

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Back stories to the history of Kings and Queens of medieval Briton and beyond told with humour.

History expanded

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A funny encapsulation of the English monarchy from a non-existent King Arthur to the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1. Written and read with great wit and humour by David Mitchell. Thoroughly recommended.

Interesting, informative and hilarious.

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David has put the whole of Englands monarchy,in its place Ordinary Men born to be someone special and most of the time stuffing it up

His down to earth attitude

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