Category: history

The Penguin Modern Classics Book by Henry Eliot

A great companion piece to The Penguin Classics Book. This book features on the Penguin Modern Classics series in its forms from its inception to today. I didn’t know the series has gone from several iterations and finally all brought together as ‘Modern Classics’ ‘Penguin Modern Classics’ ‘Twentieth Century Classics’ and finally back to Penguin Modern Classics. Same with how the covers have changed over the years with several re-designs.

Its a nice flick through the history and catalogue, I didn’t find it as enjoyable as the Classics book, but found several books of interest. The book does cover a vast scope of books and every continent is represented with selections, obviously this is a more European/English centred book. It also is only accurate to 2021 when it was published so naturally the series is even more comprehensive than the book represents so it is out of date.

Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee… by Charlie Higson

I found this to be a very pleasant surprise and I was honestly expecting it to be a little underwhelming and too similar to David Mitchell’s Unruly, but what a thoroughly enjoyable romp between 1000 years of English/British Monarchs.

Very readable and approachable and full of humour and interest. Is it clonclusive or detailed? No but there is enough for each Monarch to get a lot out of this book. Even the boring ones or who did little of note.

It is a book I would love to read again and I loved the illustrations by Jim Moir (Vic Reeves), especially the one of Wat Tyler and Richard II, and the one of Simon de Montfort with his balls on his nose!

Highly recommend this book.

Revolting by Terry Deary

A very fun and enjoyable history or Revolts and Rebellions from the creater of the much loved kids books Horrible Histories. This book is similar but for adults. I found it easier going and more enjoyable than “A History of Britain In Ten Enemies”.

A lot of interesting tidbits of hitory split into 10 sections and lessons like for the sections it could be Money, Religion, Slavery and for the lessons Get A Leader, Gather Intelligence.

On the whole it was good fun and a nice, light read if you don’t mind reading about molten metal down someone’s throat or people being hung, drawn and quartered.

I look forward to reading what is next from Terry Deary. He is alongside RL Stine and Roald Dahl as one of my early literary influences that got me into reading (and history) as a child.

Kojiki: The Birth of Japan by Kazumi Wilds

Creation of the World but the Japanese/Shinto version.

I admit I bought the wrong book and this was not what I was expecting but it was a nice surprise to read it and I did enjoy it. It follows the creation mythology of Japan with the spirits. Very beautifully illustrated but at 32 pages long very short too -something I didn’t pay attention to.

For what it was I enjoyed it. It was nice to read the author/artists note too on the meaning of the Kojiki to them and how it relates to the place where they live and their life. Same with the process behind the illustrations in book.

I do intend on buying the comprehensive translation by Basil Hall Chamberlain to delve deeper into the subject