Neil Tonge

The Terrible Tudors is another funny entry in the Horrible Histories series. These kings and queens of England reigned from 1485 to 1603. Probably the best known are Henry VIII of the six wives fame and his daughter, Elizabeth I, who lent her name to the Elizabethan Age. We also get to learn about how the English lived and died during those times, their schools, games, food, crimes and punishments, Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, witches, sailors, clothes, and what life was like for women show more back then.

The illustrations are also good for chuckles. There is a limerick for each ruler (except for Lady Jane Grey, the nine day queen). We get fun quizzes such as match the illness to the remedy (almost all of which are quite disgusting), or the crime to the law. Some of the fun and games would be considered quite dangerous or even illegal today. I am VERY glad I am not a witch, sailor, or woman in Tudor Times. We even get to learn some thieves' cant [slang]. For example, a Prigger of Prancers was a horse thief. You might wish to try to write in Mary, Queen of Scots' code in the chapter on terrible Tudor kings and queens.

Note: the 'branks' device mentioned in the chapter on Terrible Tudor life for women was also known as a scold's bridle, a witch's bridle, or a brank's bridle.

I recommend this book to juvenile and adult readers who want a painless way to learn about the Tudor times. show less

Might be a little too old for this, since it's just a series of silly (but gruesome) anecdotes about the Tudors, whereas I would've liked some summaries of their broader history (like a normal history book). I liked these as a kid, though I can't remember if I ever finished one of them. I think my brothers might've read them more.

Collection of various true stories about battles that took place in the air during WW2.Best ones are how 700 resistance fighters who were due to be executed by the Nazis the next day were rescued by the precision bombing of the Allies – they had to take out all the soldiers while they ate their lunch in the mess hall ( thus a daylight raid – very dangerous) and also blow a hole in the side of the prison so the prisoners could escape.Other favourite about the RT Holmes ( known as Arty. to show more his mates)
p.32 “air combat……killed “ p. 34.Arty & the dogfight & the German parachutist show less

Collection of various true stories about battles that took place on land during WW2.Best ones : Pearl parachutes behind enemy lines to work for the French resistance. The amazing story of Stan Hollis, the only soldier to win the VC on D-Day. The incredible tale of Dr Graeme who was made to treat German soldiers but feared he would be shot, so he hid in the roof of the hospital for 2 months and was eventually able to escape with the help of the Dutch resistance.Like Saving Private Ryan esp. show more D-Day story
One soldiers experiences in war – Ernie’s first (and only) battle.p.13 “under attack” to p.15 “long grass”. Then p.17 “Ernie had” to “France” show less