Toppsta - Childrens Books – Reviews

Think history is boring? Think again. It is disgusting, bloodthirsty, gory, silly and downright nasty and the Horrible Histories books will prove it. This series of non-fiction books teaches history “with the nasty bits left in”. No fact is too foul, no battle too vicious and no blunder too ludicrous for these books and that is exactly why children love them. And they’re not the only ones: teachers, parents and librarians are fans too and as a result they have expanded to a hugely successful, BAFTA award-winning TV series on CBBC not to mention to games, stage shows, activity books and more.
 
The author, Terry Deary, has written more than 60 Horrible History books since 1993 and describes the series as “a new genre” – fact books with jokes. The funny and gruesome facts mean children learn about history without even realising it. The mix of comic strips, illustrations, quizzes, recipes and more make them easy to dip in and out of which is probably why they are highly recommended for usually reluctant readers.
 
Children enjoy Horrible Histories from aged 7 upwards, although younger readers will need a strong stomach as none of the grisly details are spared. The books do link back to topics covered in school in Key Stages 2 and 3, but they will delight any child (or adult) with a silly sense of humour and a love of the revolting and bloodthirsty.
 
With so many books, and practically every period in history covered, it can be hard to figure out where to start, so check out our list of the full series below. We love the classics Terrifying Tudors or Vile Victorians or spark an interest in ancient history with Groovy Greeks or Angry Aztecs. Horrible Histories can bring holidays and days out to life and are guaranteed to keep giggling kids glued to their book.

All the Horrible Histories books in order:

Book 1: Measly Middle Ages (1990)
Book 2: Terrible Tudors (1993)
Book 3: Awesome Egyptians (1994)
Book 4: Rotten Romans (1994)
Book 5: Vicious Vikings (1994)
Book 6: Vile Victorians (1994)
Book 7: Groovy Greeks (1995)
Book 8: Slimy Stuarts (1996)
Book 9: Angry Aztecs (1997)
Book 10: Awful Egyptians (1997)
Book 11: Cut-Throat Celts (1997)
Book 12: Frightful First World War (1998)
Book 13: Gorgeous Georgians (1998)
Book 14: Terrifying Tudors (1998)
Book 15: Savage Stone Age (1999)
Book 16: Woeful Second World War (1999)
Book 17: Horrible Christmas (2000)
Book 18: Incredible Incas (2000)
Book 19: Smashing Saxons (2000)
Book 20: Stormin’ Normans (2001)
Book 21: Barmy British Empire (2002)
Book 22: Ruthless Romans (2003)
Book 23: Villainous Victorians (2004)
Book 24: Horrible History of the World (2003)
Book 25: Blitz (2010)
Book 26: Horrible History of Britain and Ireland (2012)
Book 27: Deadly Days in History (2013)

For even more Horrible Histories fun, check out:

Horrible Histories Specials
Horrible Histories Gruesome Guides
Horrible Histories Sticker Activity Books
Horrible Histories Collections
Horrible Histories Handbooks
Horrible Histories Gory Stories
Horrible Histories, the Movie: Rotten Romans

And more on the "Other Titles" tab