Catching up on 2025 reviews

‘Horrible Histories for grownups’ The Times

Book blurb

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.

My thoughts

History was one of the more enjoyable subjects during school even though I didn’t really do very well with all those dates, my head just said no! I liked reading about the kings and queens. Although most of the history I was taught in high school was 1918 – 1939 avoiding the world wars but looking at the causes and aftermath. Then in the middle of sixth form our teacher changed and our study moved to being more about social history. For me it didn’t help but I continued to enjoy history.

So when I came to read Unruly I was quite pleasantly surprised to find that it was about a completely different era and yes, back to kings and queens but in a really different, fun way. Starting with the legend that is King Arthur.

David Mitchell through part one ‘before Willy’ – yes, that one you guessed it – which takes you from Arthur (a myth) to King Harold; part two ‘the dukes of hazard’ covers William I (the Willy referred to in part one) to King John; part three ‘here comes the reign again’ Henry III to Richard II and part four ‘everything is coming up roses’ Henry IV to Elizabeth I.

The author even through those wastelands of not well known monarchs kept the spirit up with his witty style and tongue in cheek, or not, thoughts.

This book comes in at 488 pp quite hefty until you consider that it is covering such a large part of history. I read it from beginning to end in several sittings and enjoyed this romp through the history of England (I am using both the word History and England in order to give some kind of context).

There are bits especially early on as many of you will understand that may well be ‘best guesses’ but it’s clearly stated rather than expecting the reader to take it as an undeniable truth.

I think that is Mitchell’s point.

Whilst he obviously loves history he knows that it has often been taught as truths when in reality some facts are not available to prove what actually happened. Isn’t that indeed the point of continuous learning that we have to accept we don’t know everything and so we stay open to things when proof comes along or takes things on balance, on an educated guess if you will, as what was most probable?

This is a witty, intelligent and interesting book.

Book: Gift (Hardback) | ebook (purchased)

20 books of Summer 2025

20 books of summer now hosted by Emma of Words and Peace and Annabel’s blog where you can read all about it including all the rules and sign up. It’s a challenge I’ve always enjoyed and am sure I’ll continue to do so. 

The challenge takes place between 1 June and 31 August 2025

Unruly was read as part of this challenge, I am simply catching up on sharing my thoughts here.

My list of books read for this challenge. 

Information

Published: Penguin | Michael Joseph (Hardback) – 28 Sept. 2023 | 448 pages

Author

David Mitchell is a BAFTA Award-winning actor, writer and comedian who has starred in many of the UK’s best-loved TV shows, including Peep Show, That Mitchell and Webb Look, Upstart Crow and Ludwig. He is a team captain on Would I Lie to You? (BBC One), the host of The Unbelievable Truth on Radio 4 and one of the Observer‘s most popular columnists. 

Unruly: A History of England’s Kings and Queens is his first history book.

Other

Thinking About It Only Makes It Worse (2009) | Dishonesty is the Second-Best Policy (2018) | see author page link below

Amazon author page