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Title: An Utterly Exasperated History of Modern Britain
Subtitle: or Sixty Years of Making the Same Stupid Mistakes
Author: John O'Farrell
Narrator: John O'Farrell
Format: Unabridged
Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins
Language: English
Release date: 11-12-09
Publisher: Random House AudioBooks
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 8 votes
Genres: History, European
Publisher's Summary:
Following his hugely popular account of the previous 2000 years, John O'Farrell now comes bang up to date with a hilarious modern history asking 'How the hell did we end up here?'
An Utterly Exasperated History of Modern Britain informs, elucidates and laughs at all the bizarre events, ridiculous characters and stupid decisions that have shaped Britain's story since 1945; leaving the 21st century reader feeling fantastically smug for having the benefit of hindsight.
©2009 John O'Farrell; (P)2009 Random House Audiobooks
Members Reviews:
Excellent Listen
An excellent listen and a worthy follow up to the previous book. Well read (by the authour) with both witty and passionate delivery. Definatialy worth going for the unabridged version as you will miss so many little bits of triva with the abridged. Unless you were a 1980's Conservative MP you will love this book!
An engaging, if somewhat biased, potted history
I found this book fascinating, and delivered in a very engaging manner by the author. For non-history buffs like me, this gallop across the key highlights of the past 60 years in Britain was both informative and very interesting throughout.
Downside? My old history teacher always maintained that "History is written by the Victors" and so it is here. In fairness the author makes it clear from the very start that he is a staunch Labour supporter and he's aware this colours his outlook, but there were a few times when his "Labour Good, Conservative Bad" mantra tended to put too obvious a spin on the events of the times.
This was most evident in book 2 and his views on Margaret Thatcher's years in No10. Also whilst I agree that the odd lighter note can really aid understanding, attempting to make light of the events surrounding Bobby Sands may not have been the best idea.
Overall though I'd still recommend this as a good listen, and a reminder of how the events in the news today have all happened before, and will again, probably with the same outcome.
Excellent fun
This book is well written and well read by the author. I agree with the other reviewer, the unabridged version is so much better. Well worth the money for this funny and irreverent look at our modern history.
informative and funny!
Where does An Utterly Exasperated History of Modern Britain rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?
Very high. It is an excelent book and a very enjoyable way to learn English history. I've read the earlier book (Utterly Exasperated History...) which was excelent, so I knew I will enjoy this one. However, if you treat it as a history lesson, be careful. The author cannot (and I guess does not want to) hide his political views, which might be slightly irritating (especially for the Conservatives, he is so obviously pro-Labour) and misleading. Still, the facts are all there and presented in an easy-to-stomach way.
What did you like best about this story?
it is very funny.
