Description

‘A wonderful idea, gloriously put into practice. Greg Jenner is as witty as he is knowledgeable’ – Tom Holland

‘You will love Greg Jenner’s jolly account of how we have more in common with our ancestors than we might think … all human life is here, amusingly conveyed in intriguing nuggets of gossipy historical anecdote’ – Daily Mail

Every day, from the moment our alarm clock wakes us in the morning until our head hits our pillow at night, we all take part in rituals that are millennia old. In this gloriously entertaining romp through human history – featuring new updates for the paperback edition – BBC Horrible Histories consultant Greg Jenner explores the hidden stories behind these daily routines.

This is not a story of politics, wars or great events, instead Greg Jenner has scoured Roman rubbish bins, Egyptian tombs and Victorian sewers to bring us the most intriguing, surprising and sometimes downright silly nuggets from our past.

It is a history of all those things you always wondered – and many you have never considered. It is the story of our lives, one million years in the making.

Publisher Review

Greg Jenner's magpie mind takes you through the history of who we are and what we do, answering tons of questions you never thought to ask -- Al Murray A wonderful idea, gloriously put into practice, Greg Jenner is as witty as he is knowledgeable -- Tom Holland Like visiting the most wonderful and cluttered museum, each chapter like another room teetering with illuminating ideas and information -- Robin Ince bright, fun and enjoyable * HISTORY VAULT * One of my all time favourite books about history: erudite, witty and packed with things you've never thought about -- Peter Frankopan Delightful, surprising and hilarious, this is a fascinating history of the everyday objects and inventions we take for granted -- Lauren Laverne If you find yourself secretly relishing your children's Horrible History books, you will love Greg Jenner's jolly account of how we have more in common with our ancestors than we might think ... all human life is here, amusingly conveyed in intriguing nuggets of gossipy historical anecdote * DAILY MAIL * Fascinating ... [Jenner] crafts some fine aphorisms, and it would be a staggeringly learned person who could not glean anything new from this work -- Steven Poole * WALL STREET JOURNAL *