You Are History: From the Alarm Clock to the Toilet, the Amazing History of the Things You Use Every Day

by Greg Jenner

From the alarm clock to the toilet, discover the incredible history all around you in this hilarious and fascinating book from popular historian and podcaster Greg Jenner.
Thought history was only in museums? Think again! Join Greg Jenner as he takes you on a trip through the amazing history hidden in the things you use every day. Did you know that the first TV was made out of biscuit tins and knitting needles? Or that the humble paperclip helped lead an anti-war movement? Or that a few hundred years ago it was fashionable to style your hair with cat poo?! Find out the delightful, daft and downright deadly history of your everyday life that your teachers won’t tell you about. Bursting with humorous illustrations and entertaining true stories, this is history – but not as you know it!

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Historical

141 pages, Paperback

First published November 3, 2022

About the author

Greg Jenner (FRHistS) is a British public historian, broadcaster, and author noted for using comedy and pop culture in his writing and podcasting work. He holds an Honorary Doctorate and Fellowship from the University of York

As well as being the author of seven funny books, for adults and children, he is the creator and host of the chart-topping BBC comedy podcast 'YOU'RE DEAD TO ME', and spent 11 years working as the historical adviser on the multi-award-winning BBC comedy sketch show 'HORRIBLE HISTORIES' and its spin-off movie. He has also hosted numerous other radio, TV, and podcast series (see his website for more).

Greg began writing books for teens and adults, but has recently pivoted back to writing for children, most notably with his 'TOTALLY CHAOTIC HISTORY!' series which he co-writes with expert historians, and is illustrated by Rikin Parekh

GREG'S HISTORY BOOKS FOR ADULTS:
- Ask A Historian: 50 Surprising Answers To Things You Always Wanted To Know (2021)

- Dead Famous: An Unexpected History of Celebrity, From Bronze Age To Silver Screen (2020)

- A Million Years In A Day: A Curious History of Daily Life, From Stone Age To Phone Age (2015)

GREG'S CHILDREN'S BOOKS:
- You Are History: From the Alarm Clock to the Toilet, the Amazing History of the Things You Use Every Day', illustrated by Jenny Taylor

- Totally Chaotic History: Ancient Egypt Gets Unruly, co-written with Dr Campbell Price and illustrated by Rikin Parekh

- Totally Chaotic History: Roman Britain Gets Rowdy, co-written with Dr Emma Southon and illustrated by Rikin Parekh

- Totally Chaotic History: The Stone Age Runs Wild, co-written with Dr Brenna Hassett and illustrated by Rikin Parekh


Greg is an avid user of social media, and can be found on Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook and Threads - come have a chat!

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book might be aimed at kids but I would highly recommend a listen regardless. Greg has so much enthusiasm and passion for history and it makes the listen more enjoyable. The physical version has illustrations to go along with it. This is a great history of the everyday objects we often take for granted.

[Hatari | Fien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about the history of ordinary things most of us use every day but don't think twice about, like a pillow or a coat; common objects that turn out to have a long and surprising history. I've listened to the audiobook version and Greg Jenner narrates it perfectly - his enthusiasm for history is contagious, and he uses humour all the way through. It is aimed at children, but for adults too this book is interesting, informative and highly enjoyable.

[Helene Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. Although Greg Jenner writes a lot for children, I still love reading them and I always discover something new which is just a joy!

‘You Are History’ goes through a day from waking up to an alarm clock through going to school and falling asleep in your bed, giving the history of 50 different objects including the things in your pencil case, board games, and the toothbrush. It is written in easy digestible chunks to dip into and out of with children or just an adult having a busy day.

The illustrations by Jenny Taylor are beautiful and fun and really add to the interest of the book. Children’s history books are certainly more fun than the adult versions! It’s bright and colourful while still maintaining historical accuracy and Jenner’s wit and sense of making history fun and engaging.

I’m ready to dive now into the second ‘Totally Chaotic History’ book now by Greg Jenner, this time on Roman Britain! Jenner is an excellent and engaging historian and I’d also really recommend his podcast ‘You’re Dead to Me’!

[Kalliope Ormond · Rating 4 out of 5]

My parents gave a copy of this book to my brother a bit ago, hoping that he would find it entertaining. None of us knew what a hit it would turn out to be. In fact, he saw me on GR and took You Are History, waving it in my face, and saying, 'This is sooo good, you need to do a review of it!' And so, voila! -here it is!

Greg Jenner talks us through a history of the boring objects which you use every day, and shows that they have surprisingly fascinating stories behind them. The objects range from pillows to crisps (or chips), underwear to games. Bright illustrations accompany each object, filled with humor and joy. It was wonderful reading this with my brother, laughing and exploring together. What a fun, entertaining, eye-opening book! If only adult historical books were this interesting.

Jenner's passion for history shines through, and he makes it accessible for all. History is one of my favorite subjects, and I personally think it is too often overlooked, or thought of as boring. (The latter is because often the history books focus on the wars and the politics rather than how people actually lived, which is the part that I find most interesting... and this book is all about how people right across history have lived their lives.)

It's aimed at a middle-grade audience, but I seriously enjoyed and appreciated this. I think it's a wonderful book no matter what age you are; if you love weird and wonderful facts blended with a large dose of silliness, you're sure to love it!

Note: Greg Jenner's podcast, You're Dead to Me, is equally interesting and entertaining. You can find it on Spotify. I love it and I think the world needs more people so excited and eager to share history with others... the world needs more guys like Greg Jenner... and my brother sincerely agrees.

[Becs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fear my inner nerd is on the loose, but this book was so excellent - I absolutely loved learning about the history of (pretty boring and bog standard) household objects (including cats!) and every day items we use (cars, toilets, soap etc).

This book has everything, or at least everything I use and wanted to learn about (the cat included). From socks, umbrellas, welly boots and bicycles all the way to the less expected gossiping chair, pyjamas, water fountains and wet weather gear - it genuinely seemed to cover everything, across the ages, to present day! In truth, I was expecting the usual chat about how the light bulb came about rather than a comprehensive history lesson - the toilet was there too though, admittedly.

The illustrations are nice, the content is easy to read and totally accessible across several age groups and readers, but particularly nerdy ones I suspect. Highly recommended.

ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

You are History is a fascinating children's non-fiction book that covers a lot of subjects mainly which children use, are part of or know of.

From information on boardgames, cutlery, potato crisps to toothpaste, hair gel, and the globe. This book has many random and unusual facts about each. In fact it covers 50 different subject areas.

Alongside the factual information on each item there are amusing facts and amazing illustrations. The text is never boring and is written to the right level and in an easy to understand manner without belittling the reader.

Each double page contains a different subject matter. My favourite has to be 'Jewellery Box' and the fact that Victorians wore Coprolite jewellery which actually meant they had fossilised dinosaur dung around their necks and dangling from their ears!!!!

An amazing book that teaches children in a fun and exciting way whilst educating them too.

[ella ⁠ · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the alarm clock to the toilet, the amazing history of things you use every day!

I never thought history could be so fun! Over the course of only a couple of weeks, I read a few pages each night before bed and soon learned lots of new fun facts, some of which both impressed and surprised me! Jenner has written an interesting and exciting book full of shocks and things you never knew.

Discover how cereal came to be and what were classified as beds in the Stone Age, the weird and painful history of soap, and the bike style in the "olden days"! I highly recommend this book and I think it's a great way to introduce younger people to history and show them that not all history is boring!!

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

[Tara T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aimed at young children, maybe pre teens?, I didn’t realise this when I bought it. I liked Jenners 50 Question’s book and thus bought this.
I’m still glad I bought it - audio book- despite it narrating effectively for a very youthful audience with some sound noise effects.

It follows life from waking up to going to school to going to bed and profiles in each chapter the history of everyday objects in your day eg shoes, bathing, pillows, games, clocks, toothbrushes etc etc.

It’s easy to dip in and dip out but overall an enjoyable insight into the historical context of our daily life and thus our place in history.

Very accessible to general public.

[Julia Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this history of everyday objects! I have been reading it both alone and with a ten year old who enjoyed it just as much as me! It's funny, interesting and informative. A great book and a great gift too!

[Hann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very creative concept for a history book. It is informative and easy to understand. I would recommend the audiobook as it is narrated by the author with music, sound effects and a Q and A section at the end.

[Susannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining history of everyday objects from toilets, beds, wet weather clothing to toothbrushes, computer games and chocolate. Great illustrations too.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aimed at tougher readers, and cover a lot of the same ground as Million Years in Day, but still pretty good. Jenner's focus on the history of taken-for-granted objects is always interesting.

[Anil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is how you teach history and make it 10-fold more interesting!

[Discoverylover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and great illustrations!

[thea. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny facts and pretty illustrations...

[Emily Lonsdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun to read with my kids we all love history we all love Greg Jenner

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book I've had on my to-read list.
I'm a little disappointed. Some stuff here is not for the weak stomach.