Unruly
A History of England's Kings and Queens
(Author) David MitchellBrought to you by Penguin. Discover who we are and how we got here by listening to comedian and student of history David Mitchell's UNRULY: A History of England's Kings and Queens - a thoughtful, funny exploration of the founding fathers and mothers of England, and subsequently Britain. Think you know your kings and queens? Think again.
In UNRULY, David Mitchell explores how England's monarchs, while acting as feared rulers firmly guiding their subjects' destinies, were in reality a bunch of lucky sods who were mostly as silly and weird in real life as they appear today in their portraits. Taking us right back to King Arthur (spoiler: he didn't exist), David tells the founding story of post-Roman England right 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, as the population evolved from having their crops nicked by the thug with the largest armed gang to bowing and paying taxes to a divinely anointed king.
How this happened, who it happened to and why it matters in modern Britain are all questions David 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. A funny book about a serious subject, UNRULY is for anyone who has ever wondered how we got here - and who is to blame. Read by David Mitchell.
©2023 David Mitchell (P)2023 Penguin Audio
David Mitchell
David Mitchell is a British author known for his intricate narratives that blend multiple genres and styles. His most notable works include "Cloud Atlas," a novel that weaves together six interconnected stories spanning different time periods and genres, and "The Bone Clocks," a complex tale of immortality and destiny. Mitchell's literary style is characterized by his ability to seamlessly blend realism and fantasy, creating rich and immersive worlds for his readers. His contributions to literature include challenging traditional storytelling conventions and pushing the boundaries of genre fiction. "Cloud Atlas" is widely considered his most famous work, earning critical acclaim and a devoted following of readers. Mitchell's impact on the literary genre has been profound, inspiring other authors to experiment with structure and genre blending in their own works.
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