Absolutely hilarious. Previous study of English history is not required, but definitely will add to the fun of reading this book. Merely slapstick in parts, but occasionally laugh-yourself-silly, it is a tongue in cheek look at what the average Englishman might remember about his studies in history after he has left school. ( )

Sellar and Yeatman's classic retelling of history is quite clearly a Good Thing. Written in 1930, and steeped in the subversive irreverence of British humour, the book expertly and hilariously parodies the process of writing history. From the first date in English history (55 B.C.), to the point at which history comes to a . (1918), Seller and Yeatman insist that history is "not what you thought. It is what you can remember" and ably set out to prove it with a litany of schoolboy howlers and almost- plausible assertions. 1066 and All That is crammed with ridiculous reinventions of how history is taught; insisting that all historical events are either a "Good Thing" or a "Bad Thing", lampooning the nationalism of teaching history by suggesting that the focus is always to make Britain appear "Top Nation", and separating each section with exam papers which seem almost, but not quite as stupid as the real ones (including the famous instruction "Do not on any account attempt to write on both sides of the paper at once"). A precursor to the incredibly popular "Horrible Histories" series, this is a must for anyone who wants to take history seriously or otherwise

I take this as a compilation of all the answers those poor beleaguered secondary school history teachers might have grinded their teeth at throughout their teaching years. Very inventive way of getting back at the little buggers. It gets a bit tiresome if read in one or two sittings. Best to just dip into occasionally. Puns can take you just so far ... ( )

I thought this book was supposed to be funny.

It was not. I did not laugh. Not once.

Worth reading, just not great. It dashed my hopes, scattering them to the wind. ( )

"A memorable history of England, comprising all the parts you can remember, including 103 Good Things, 5 Bad Kings and 2 Genuine Dates."