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Horrible Histories Specials #4
The Twentieth Century
From Charlie Chaplin to Margaret Thatcher, this history book follows the events of the 20th century from the last days of Queen Victoria to the 1990s. Everything is covered from who shocked the world by showing her knickers, to why a posh London restaurant served stewed cat.
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 1996
58 people are currently reading
499 people want to read
About the author
Terry Deary
823 books825 followersA former actor, theatre-director and drama teacher, Deary says he began writing when he was 29. Most famously, he is one of the authors of the Horrible Histories series of books popular among children for their disgusting details, gory information and humorous pictures and among adults for getting children interested in history. Books in the series have been widely translated into other languages and imitated.
A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.
The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.
Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).
He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.
-Wikipedia
A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.
The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.
Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).
He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 17, 2019
Unlike most Horrible Histories books which tackle bygone eras, the Twentieth Century is different because you will be reading about the century your parents, grans and even some of you were born in. Any of your nearest and dearest can provide information about some decades of the twentieth century because they witnessed important events and lived to tell the story.
Another difference between this book and the others is the timeline which is divided into decades and each decade has its own chapter and a distinct name such as The Threadbare Thirties, The Swinging Sixties, The Naughty Nineties, etc. Each timeline is presented in typical Horrible Histories style, highlighting historical and social events and inventions we couldn’t imagine our life without. Just think about the computer, cinema, antibiotics or women’s vote.
While I was reading, I got a better picture of the twentieth century with all its pitfalls and innovations. Though Terry Deary’s main purpose is to inform and entertain, this book makes you think about the past and present. Only after finishing it I realized how many good and bad things happened in the last 100 years that changed and shaped the world we live in. I’m grateful for living now and not in early 1900, but I’m sad that history teachers highlight great deeds while leaving out aspects of everyday life, which may impress students more; such as what happened to the soldiers who came back home after the Great War.
“As the century slipped away people spend a lot of time looking back. That’s not such a bad thing – so long as we remember the horrible lessons of history and learn from them …” (Loc. 1833-1834)
In the end, every decade has its interesting and horrific facts and lessons to be learned by future generations. I’m glad that I finally read this book because it’s both entertaining and profound. If you love history like I do, I highly recommend it.
Another difference between this book and the others is the timeline which is divided into decades and each decade has its own chapter and a distinct name such as The Threadbare Thirties, The Swinging Sixties, The Naughty Nineties, etc. Each timeline is presented in typical Horrible Histories style, highlighting historical and social events and inventions we couldn’t imagine our life without. Just think about the computer, cinema, antibiotics or women’s vote.
While I was reading, I got a better picture of the twentieth century with all its pitfalls and innovations. Though Terry Deary’s main purpose is to inform and entertain, this book makes you think about the past and present. Only after finishing it I realized how many good and bad things happened in the last 100 years that changed and shaped the world we live in. I’m grateful for living now and not in early 1900, but I’m sad that history teachers highlight great deeds while leaving out aspects of everyday life, which may impress students more; such as what happened to the soldiers who came back home after the Great War.
“As the century slipped away people spend a lot of time looking back. That’s not such a bad thing – so long as we remember the horrible lessons of history and learn from them …” (Loc. 1833-1834)
In the end, every decade has its interesting and horrific facts and lessons to be learned by future generations. I’m glad that I finally read this book because it’s both entertaining and profound. If you love history like I do, I highly recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2018
Lots of interesting facts I didn't know before. Also liked the more detailed accounts. Made me laugh but also cry in places.
April 20, 2013
The 20th Century is a part of the Horrible Histories series written by Terry Deary, with this book being a special edition. It contains a summary of the entire 20th Century, covering one decade in each chapter.
This book contained elements of a typical Horrible Histories book, with a timeline, interesting illustrations, diary entries and also some excellent handpicked events – making history rather interesting. My expectation on Horrible Histories novels have always been high, as I’ve learnt more about World War II or Egyptian history from the Horrible Histories novels than any history textbook and with that said, I’d have to say that this supposed ‘special edition’ was rather disappointing.
First, it is not very wise to cover the entire 20th Century in 176 pages and thus, the content was inevitably less, very less, in fact. The author did bring out the gradual transition in the way of life, pretty well, but it was mainly, only the British way of life. Moreover, the author’s primary aim was only to make this book interesting than informative – there were several interesting incidents narrated by the author such as the story of Adrian Carton de Wiart or that of Lucky Lord Lucan but they are not of much historical significance, in my opinion, especially, the latter. Out of 176 pages, I guess a chunk of it was occupied by the stories on the South Pole explorer Robert Scott and the next generation Scotts (though I liked the anagram in Loch Ness’ scientific name Nessiteras rhombopteryx).
To sum it up, I would have liked this book, had there been a little change in the title of the book – ‘Britain during the 20th Century’. The Author mainly concentrated only on British inventions, British achievements and British glories but it hardly went beyond Britain (probably the cover story is the only aberration) and is best suited for Brits who are interested in learning about their recent history. What I understood after reading this is that Horrible Histories is more suited when it is particular about something and not generic, like in the case of this book. This is the first horrible histories book that I’m reviewing but it certainly is not the first book of the series that I’ve read and after the expectations those books had set, this disappointed me.
I’d give it a rating of 2/5.
This book contained elements of a typical Horrible Histories book, with a timeline, interesting illustrations, diary entries and also some excellent handpicked events – making history rather interesting. My expectation on Horrible Histories novels have always been high, as I’ve learnt more about World War II or Egyptian history from the Horrible Histories novels than any history textbook and with that said, I’d have to say that this supposed ‘special edition’ was rather disappointing.
First, it is not very wise to cover the entire 20th Century in 176 pages and thus, the content was inevitably less, very less, in fact. The author did bring out the gradual transition in the way of life, pretty well, but it was mainly, only the British way of life. Moreover, the author’s primary aim was only to make this book interesting than informative – there were several interesting incidents narrated by the author such as the story of Adrian Carton de Wiart or that of Lucky Lord Lucan but they are not of much historical significance, in my opinion, especially, the latter. Out of 176 pages, I guess a chunk of it was occupied by the stories on the South Pole explorer Robert Scott and the next generation Scotts (though I liked the anagram in Loch Ness’ scientific name Nessiteras rhombopteryx).
To sum it up, I would have liked this book, had there been a little change in the title of the book – ‘Britain during the 20th Century’. The Author mainly concentrated only on British inventions, British achievements and British glories but it hardly went beyond Britain (probably the cover story is the only aberration) and is best suited for Brits who are interested in learning about their recent history. What I understood after reading this is that Horrible Histories is more suited when it is particular about something and not generic, like in the case of this book. This is the first horrible histories book that I’m reviewing but it certainly is not the first book of the series that I’ve read and after the expectations those books had set, this disappointed me.
I’d give it a rating of 2/5.
February 20, 2021
2015 reading challenge - a nonfiction book
Pretty good, with lots of interesting information and humor. I only wish it was called The 20th Century in Britain, with an occasional reference to other countries. That would've been more accurate.
Pretty good, with lots of interesting information and humor. I only wish it was called The 20th Century in Britain, with an occasional reference to other countries. That would've been more accurate.
July 15, 2018
Увлекателна и общообразователна. Взех я за сестра ми, която е на 10, с надежда да се запали и да й помогне за училище, взех та научих и аз бая любопитни работи.
Като за детска книжка, има какво да се желае още.
Като за детска книжка, има какво да се желае още.
January 26, 2015
Easy reading for whom who wanna touch the surface of history in 20th century of UK. Good to be the first step to start studying history.
July 14, 2015
Pretty good!
I chose 4 stars because it was really nice but I just hope next time, add even MORE creepy facts...
I chose 4 stars because it was really nice but I just hope next time, add even MORE creepy facts...
June 25, 2019
Zanimljive priče 😁
August 3, 2021
XX wiek. Wydaje się to, dla takich osób jak ja, odległe, ale już dla rodziców wiele, z drugiej połowy tego okresu, jest znane. Ponadto jest to okres historyczny najmniej omawiany w szkołach - zwykle wtedy już jest czerwiec i albo jest to ignorowane albo zrobione po łebkach. Współczesne czasy są najbardziej ekscytujące, bo to w tym czasie stworzyliśmy najwięcej i z większości tych wynalazków korzystamy do tej pory, a nauka rozwinęła się wręcz nadludzko.
Ta książka to opowieść o XX wieku, na brytyjskie poczucie humoru. Wiele ciekawostek, cała masa grafik, nie ma przeładowania dat, a przede wszystkim jest to intrygujące, bardzo ciekawie napisane i zachęcające, żeby poznać trochę historii.
Jak najbardziej polecam, bo to miła odskocznia z ciekawymi informacjami w tle.
Ta książka to opowieść o XX wieku, na brytyjskie poczucie humoru. Wiele ciekawostek, cała masa grafik, nie ma przeładowania dat, a przede wszystkim jest to intrygujące, bardzo ciekawie napisane i zachęcające, żeby poznać trochę historii.
Jak najbardziej polecam, bo to miła odskocznia z ciekawymi informacjami w tle.
August 30, 2021
So, I very much do not enjoy seeing my decade of birth in a “History” book but other than that this was quite a quick, fun read.
It’s a little bit different to some of the other Horrible Histories books, probably because you’ve got to talk about a whole century in one go, but it manages to cover the basics of the history quite well.
The layout is helpful to follow as well, with the timeline of the decade at the start followed by some more in depth pieces and then a bit of a quiz where you both test your knowledge and still learn something new each time.
Enjoyable.
It’s a little bit different to some of the other Horrible Histories books, probably because you’ve got to talk about a whole century in one go, but it manages to cover the basics of the history quite well.
The layout is helpful to follow as well, with the timeline of the decade at the start followed by some more in depth pieces and then a bit of a quiz where you both test your knowledge and still learn something new each time.
Enjoyable.
October 17, 2017
quaint, but immediately forgettable.
April 24, 2019
This book talks about the 20th Century with an emphasis on the United Kingdom
900-999-geography-history
December 18, 2019909.82
March 18, 2021
good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2022
Toto je super kniha. Nachádza sa v nej aj veľa vtipov, kvízov, zaujímavostí... Píše sa tam tiež aj o prvej aj druhej svetovej vojne. Odporúčam prečítať.
April 7, 2023
Who doesn't love a Horrible Histories book?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2024
*3.5
May 11, 2025
12NP
June 21, 2011
I like the Horrible Histories series, I discovered these books when I was little and I still enjoy reading these series. There is only one thing that always had been bothering me is the silly jokes (in text and drawing), maybe I am too serious, who knows?
There were two inaccuracies in this book, what I noticed. First it says that Chernobyl is in Russia when actually it is in Ukraine. And the book tells that bra was invented in 1913 what is not accurate.
There were two inaccuracies in this book, what I noticed. First it says that Chernobyl is in Russia when actually it is in Ukraine. And the book tells that bra was invented in 1913 what is not accurate.
November 13, 2011
Considering that the book is primarily written for (pre-)teens, it is pretty good and witty at times (even though a lot of the wit's been lost in translation), rather basic but quirky, but also out-dated. Aside from that, the illustrations are good, they serve the point. All in all, a book which will satisfy young know-it-alls.
April 18, 2008
these books are a fantastic way to get kids engaged in history- they tend to be from a British pov (if Britain had anything to do with the subject anyway), but they provide fantastic descriptions of what life was like and are a great jumping off point. They're great for any age!
July 29, 2011
Horrible Histories is a series of illustrated books published in the UK by Scholastic. They are designed to get children interested in history by concentrating on the trivial, unusual, gory, or unpleasant. They are exceptionally well loved by my history loving children
January 11, 2013
There is really no better way to get kids interested in history than by giving them a Terry Deary Horrible Histories! I loved these books as a kid and I love to collect them now. Deary's take on history is hilarious and interesting. It may not all be true but you definitely learn something!
June 7, 2016
This book was about that the women are saying that they should be able to vote. What I feel about this book is that it is impressive because it talks about George Washington and other people that are presidents. I would recommend this book to Michelle Obama because she talks about rights.
July 10, 2011
So excellent- funny and informative
August 5, 2011
Probably great for kids, but to me it tried to cover far to much in to shorter space. The individual books dealing with shorter spans of history are a bit better.
October 1, 2011
I love the tv series, so I read this book. It was okay.
January 13, 2013
I really liked the book it was very interesting thats why i gave it a 5.
November 25, 2013
Another great book for any Horrible Histories fan
January 14, 2015
A great way to document the changes in the 20th century. It mainly focuses on the UK but in a way makes it simple for children to enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews