Headline Welbeck Non-Fiction Notorious Historys Villains and Why They Matter.

by Otto English

Notorious Historys Villains and Why They Matter ABISBOOK Headline Welbeck Non-Fiction.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, True Crime, Audiobook

Paperback

First published May 22, 2025

About the author

Otto English is the pen name of writer and journalist Andrew Scott.

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gave up on this. First chapter was so poor and meandering with just some incorrect assertions that I gave up on the rest.

[Stuart Malcolm · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some interesting bits in here but overall I felt it was a bit of an unsatisfying read. It needs better editing because there are too many tangents and too much unnecessary padding at times. It was too full of “look how much research I’ve done” to allow the bits of genuinely good writing to shine through.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt too inconsistent to score higher than a 3. When the chapters were good they were great, really interesting and informative. When they were bad though they were dull, uninspired and painful to get through.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good account but I noticed a lot of spelling/grammar errors? I am by no means the grammar police but it seems like this wasn’t fully proof read? Great book though.

[Gem Oliver]

Its too all over the place. Too many tangents and a bit difficult to keep track of.

[Poppy Staker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard to follow and too many tangents. A shame as there we so many good little pieces of writing that were padded out. The back and forth between tangents makes this a difficult read to keep up with

[Anthony Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Otto English brings his peerless eye for a good story, and customary wit, to this highly entertaining delve into humanity’s greatest baddies. However, there’s a lot more going on here than just a run down of history’s worst scumbags. English employs a broad cast of murderers, gangsters, traitors, and tyrants to explore our relationship with those we cast in the role of villain. Some we get right, others not so much, but, ultimately, it becomes clear that the line between hero and villain is rarely a straight one, and always drawn by the beholder.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual plenty to think about in Otto English’s third book. I couldn’t tackle it all in one gulp but that doesn’t mean it was boring. Had to let it marinate in my brain and switch to something safe to get to sleep.

[Ella Beales · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

[Dave · Rating 3.25 out of 5]

Oooh, the option for a quarter star!

Good solid book. Little bits of history written in an entertaining way.