Świat według Cunk. Ilustrowana historia wszystkich* wydarzeń, które się wydarzyły [*O ile wystarczy miejsca]

by Philomena Cunk, Katarzyna Dudzik (Translator), Michał Strąkow (Translator)

Rzymianie! Madrygały! Wieki ciemne! Lewolucja! Trąbki! Wojny światowe 1–2!

Wszystko to (poza trąbkami) i jeszcze więcej znajdziecie w tej kompletnej, ilustrowanej i wyjątkowo przystępnej historii całej historii ludzkości autorstwa Philomeny Cunk – jednej z najwybitniejszych historyczek, filozofek i myślicielek XXI wieku.

Skupiając się na wynalazkach, sztuce i geniuszach, którzy sprawili, że dzisiejszy świat jest nie do zniesienia, Cunk stworzyła dzieło, przy którym bledną wszystkie inne książki historyczne. Więcej: Świat według Cunk czyni je zupełnie zbędnymi, bo przedstawia całość dziejów człowieka – od narodzin pierwszego dziecka jaskiniaków aż po wynalezienie emoji z kupą.

Niektórzy twierdzą, że historię piszą zwycięzcy. Ale to nieprawda – historię piszą Philomeny. A raczej Philomena. Ta osoba z okładki. Tak, i z TikToka też.

***

Składniki
(alergeny oznaczono pogrubioną czcionką):

Philomena Cunk (Cunkius Philomenias), Egipcjanie, pszenica, Grecy, Rzymianie, wieki ciemne, wyciąg z renesansu, George Washington DC, esencja wojny, Fido Castrol, Crash Bandicoot, David Hasselhoff, USB-C, mój kumpel Paul, Leonardo D.A. Vinci, emulgator. Może zawierać śladowe ilości pozaeuropejskiej historii.

Wyprodukowano w fabryce książek o świrach.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Humor, Audiobook, Comedy, Satire, European History

296 pages, Paperback

Published November 12, 2025

Reviews

[Ewan Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The performance of Diane Morgan as Cunk in the audiobook met my expectations but the majority of the book lands quite flat. Somewhat boring, especially in the first half of the book which deals with Early man up to the 17th century. A couple of giggles were had in this section but it felt really laborious to get through. This book begins to shine when Cunk is discussing more modern matters and I couldn’t help but think if this had been a more focussed look at something more current then it would have been a real hit. ‘Cunk on Covid’ or certainly even ‘Cunk on the 20th Century’ would have been a much more relatable and enjoyable listen/read. Overall, this was very easy to listen to in the car and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the work of Philomena Cunk or of Morgan herself.

[Meghan Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, nothing revolutionary but a nice gap where my brain didn’t have to work too hard

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Philomena Cunk’s History of the world.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've not yet watched Philomena Cunk on tv but I've seen clips online of her series so knew what to expect thankfully because anyone unaware of this character and her style would likely have a heart attack from some of the absurdities within this book!
Thankfully prepared for the silliness, I really enjoyed this haphazard version of world history with numerous uses of malapropism and twisting of fact with sarcasm and scepticism and tongue very firmly placed in cheek! It's not a book to learn from necessarily though the basics of world history are there - our narrator is too untrustworthy for that but it was entertaining and inspired me to look into some areas of history I hadn't though about before!
A fun (possibly frustrating?) ride through history that isn't too serious.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Philomena Cunk. The mockumentaries are great to watch. I love the humour and deadpan delivery.

I listened to this book as an audiobook and it was narrated by Diane Morgan which brought the book to life.

I laughed a lot listening to this book. It was the history of time delivered in true Cunk fashion 😂

[Alexander Thee Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed a lot, but more surprisingly I actually learned some new stuff!

Philomena Cunk... the woman you are...

[Hobart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
THIS WAS HARDER TO WRITE THAN I EXPECTED
There was a part of me that wanted to just do a light edit of my post about Cunk on Everything: The Encyclopedia Philomena and call it good. But that seemed like cheating. But there are giant parts of it that would work.

Still, I'm borrowing a little here and there from it, just so I don't have to re-invent the wheel. I apologize in advance if you don't appreciate that. Also, let this section serve as an all-purpose footnote so no one accuses me of plagiarism.

WHAT'S THE WORLD ACCORDING TO CUNK ABOUT?
It's a history of the world, as much of one as Cunk can fit into 50,000 words with minimal research, anyway. The point is to get it out in time for the holiday season—targeted toward the UK and the US, so it'll predominantly be about the history of that/those cultures, while remaining the sort of history book that recognizes that things happen in parts of the world that aren't dominated by Western Culture.

Also, we're told, that she's taking the innovative approach to history and will be writing chronologically, not alphabetically or by some other standard. Whodathunk it? History in order. I tell you, what this Philomena Cunk is a gutsy maverick.

If you've watched YouTube videos, Instagram reels, or any of the other quick ways we share videos online (with or without copyright infringement), or if you've seen any of the various series/specials on Netflix or British TV networks that I can't remember the names of, you know what you're getting into with Philomena Cunk. If you haven't, well, that's trickier. It means you’re a reader or something rare like that—Cunk is a fictional documentarian (or at least the presenter of them). her approach to the documentary specials or the history in this book are a combination of naïveté, misunderstandings (especially in mispronunciation/misspellings), and cynicism.

MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS
Doing a deep dive on this would be difficult for two reasons—I read an ARC, so I don't want to quote anything (also, it would be very hard to know when to stop. Ask my wife, after you read the end). The second, and primary reason, is that if I talk too much about things, it'll ruin the jokes for you when you read this (and you really should)

In lieu of that, here are some miscellaneous observations:
* Every time Cunk looks at non-English speaking cultures was a win.
* You'd think that there are only so many jokes you can make about "the Dark Ages" involving the absence of luminescence—and that few of them would be funny. And you'd be wrong on both counts.
* Best WWI humor since Black Adder Goes Forth. I don't know that there's a lot of competition there, but Cunk nailed that material.
* The technology jokes landed every time.
* I'm still chuckling at the phrasing for Caesar's cause of death
* You are going to hear Diane Morgan’s deadpan delivery in your head whether you read this or get the audiobook. Just know that going in. (you likely assumed it that already, so know that you’re right).

IT DID FALTER A BIT
The last chapter, "The Global Globe" started off strong, but as the history got more and more current, the humor changed. Maybe it's that Cunk's particular brand of absurdity requires some distance to really work. However you explain it, this just didn't work for me.

Now, was it funny political humor? Satisfying satire? Yes—I truly appreciated almost all of it. It just didn't feel very Cunk-like. I couldn't "hear" Diane Morgan's voice. If it'd been in another book, I'd have really liked the end of this last chapter. But here? It just felt out of place.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE WORLD ACCORDING TO CUNK?
I didn’t see (but maybe overlooked) the writers behind this book listed anywhere—but whoever they were, they deserve a round of applause. Or two.

I chuckled and laughed out loud a lot while reading this. There’s really not much more to say—that’s what they were going for.

My wife doesn't get the appeal of Philomena, I don't know why, I think it's undeniable and obvious. So I really annoyed her by reading lines or paragraphs to my daughter while the three of us were in the same room. Sometimes, I had a stockpile of parts my daughter would like from reading when we weren't in the same room. My kid and I had a lot of fun laughing together at this while my wife just looked at us strangely. I don't share this to give you more insight into our fun little family dynamic—but to say that at least once (maybe three times, but Mrs. Reader denies this) even she laughed.

Seriously, up to the end of the last chapter, this was about as fun as you could want. Since I discovered Dave Barry Slept Here decades ago, I've been a sucker for history comedy—and The World According to Cunk by Philomena Cunk is a great entry in that category. (you might want to skip most of what happens after 1980).

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for this post—thanks to both for this.

[Jo Torr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious and ridiculous

[Jared Brockbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Call me a witch and write questionable fanfic about my origins because I am now GREEN. (With envy of the humor and talent of Philomena’s sickeningly stupidingly brilliant writers.)

[Stephanie Fachiol]

Five hours of Diane Morgan poking fun at nearly everybody.

There were several jokes that have been overdone from other comics (and comically inept historians) such as the Gilgamesh-Jesus plagiarism claim, or “the Dark Ages sucked until atheism, actually” claim, among others. Cunk does make fun of everybody, so it isn’t as if she is particularly mean-spirited—until you get to the modern history section and the obvious bias becomes even more obvious. Yeah, it’s rambling and inane for 99% of the book; but it’s also somewhat amusing, especially with the in-character audiobook.

Not sure I would recommend a second listen over just watching a highlights reel of the show. Frankly, I probably wouldn't have read this if my brain wasn't fried from exams anyway and I felt like I needed something less serious (or requiring serious thought).

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book very much feels like reading the scripts of the show. I think the best way to enjoy it is hearing the audiobook where it's read by Philomena Cunk because that way the jokes come across as intended. I listened to it via Spotify Premium which is probably good. I wouldn't go out of my way to read/listen to this book so not having bought it feels like I dodged a bullet.

This all might sound very harsh and I do feel like emphasizing that I did enjoy the book, but it's good to have tempered expectations going into it in my opinion.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid 3.5 stars. It's very funny at times...but the dump-truck-loads of sarcasm and jokiness can also be tiring and relentless. Best to read this in short bursts, lest the snark quotient overwhelms your senses.

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Philomena Cunk but she definitely works better on the telly. Don’t get me wrong, her narration was very good but the subject matter was just too boring, especially because it didn’t have the interview segments like the show does. There were definitely some great bits and I’ll always find this kind of silliness fun. And let’s not forget those fab illustrations!

[Mark Colton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny as fuck. Couldn’t stop laughing

[Kayley Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Galileo was a poor boy from a poor family.”

Philomena Cunk means so much to me.

[Ivo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ziemlich witzig … aber im Fernseher noch wesentlich komischer!

[Joris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dit was echt zoooo droog maar echt heel grappig.

[Nicola Spink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Cunk 😁😁

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must listen to the audiobook! If you enjoy Cunk’s shows, you’ll love this book read by Cunk herself. The perfect antidote to these dark times.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very silly! Definitely important to hear this one on audiobook rather than print.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audiobook is laugh out loud funny!

[William Beck · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first Cunk book was a surprising delight for how consistently and loudly it could make me laugh. This follow up however was a disappointment for much of its first half, with several sections straining credibility of the character (less feeling like some amusingly daft misunderstanding of events like Cunk at her best, but instead more contrived "we need a punchline here"). It certainly has it's moments and has a relatively strong second half that made it a harmless listen, but not one I'm likely to revisit in the same way I probably would with Cunk on Everything.

[Aniek · Rating 3 out of 5]

The start was solid with the same wit and jabs that the show has, but I felt like the second half of the book let it down. It just took too long and wasn't as strong as the show. And I missed Belgian techno anthem 'pump up the jam'. Still love her though!

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Instead of leaving a proper review, I'm just gonna share a collection of hilarious quotes from this book, because Philomena Cunk's own humor will convince you to read her book far better than I ever could:

"At this point in time, Britain didn't actually have a name. So the Romans came up with one, because they'd come here to steal our precious metals, and then named the island 'Britannia,' which means 'land of tin.' If they'd discovered other metals too, then we could have been called 'Metallica,' and could have attracted the attentions of marauding Germans and goths much earlier."

"These days, when we have plagues, we call them ‘pandemics’ and there’s less rats but loads more rules. And we brand them better. ‘Black Death’ is a proper shitter of a name; ‘COVID-19’ just sounds like a disappointing computer from years ago."

"There they stormed a ship, and in a custom-made protest designed to enrage the British, threw all the tea on board into the harbor without adding milk, or bringing the harbor to a roiling boil first. If you factor in the refusal to serve biscuits on the side, you can see what an insult it was to the English."

"Wilde was what's called 'a closet homosexual,' which means he was gay in cupboards, but straight everywhere else."

"But some people do bleach their bumhole. Does that count as internal or external? It's sort of East meets West, fusion flesh. The bumhole is the Istanbul of the body."

[Aimée · Rating 3 out of 5]

Der Untertitel sagt schon wieder alles: An Illustrated History of All World Events Ever, space permitting.



Was tut man, wenn man bereits eine Enzyklopädie geschrieben hat und immer noch Geld für die Miete braucht? Richtig, man schreibt ein Buch über die komplette Geschichte der Welt. Naja, zumindest die Geschichte, an die sich eine Philomena erinnert oder ergooglen kann immer gespickt mit popkulturellen Anspielungen. Falls ihr schon immer die wahren Hintergründe des Kalten Krieges erfahren wolltet, was vor Jesus Geburt so passierte oder wieso das Mittelalter finster war, dann führt wohl kein Weg an diesem Buch vorbei.



Ich dachte, ich versorge euch wieder mit ein paar saftigen Beispielen:



Über Heinrich VIII: "It's hard to imagine a country ruled by a nine-year-old boy with unbelievable power. He must've been like a more mature Donald Trump."



"It was written on sheepskin with a feather quill, and sealed with beeswax, which means that, like the five-pound note and Haribo Starmix, the Magda Carta [sic] is not vegan."



"After six gruelling years, Hitler finally turned his hobby of killing people on himself."

~ 16.05.2025

[Akshay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The World According to Cunk: An Illustrated History of All World Events Ever, Space Permitting by Philomena Cunk is a brilliantly satirical take on history, presented through the unique and hilariously clueless perspective of Philomena Cunk, a fictional television personality created by comedian Diane Morgan. This book offers a refreshingly irreverent look at history, blending humor with a playful critique of how we interpret past events.

At its core, the book is an exploration of history through the lens of a character who is both endearingly ignorant and surprisingly insightful. Cunk's characteristic misunderstandings and offbeat observations invite readers to question the seriousness with which history is often treated, making it both an entertaining and thought-provoking read.

"Philomena Cunk transforms the mundane into the magnificent, the factual into the fantastical, and the historical into the hysterical."

The format of the book includes an array of illustrations and diagrams that complement Cunk’s musings, adding a visual humor that enhances the text. This makes the book accessible and engaging, even for those who might not typically be interested in history.

Comparison to Contemporaries:

In comparison to its contemporaries, such as A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson and John O’Farrell’s An Utterly Impartial History of Britain, The World According to Cunk stands out for its comedic approach. While Bryson and O’Farrell blend humor with factual detail, Cunk’s narrative is unabashedly fictional and absurd, prioritizing wit over accuracy. This makes it perfect for readers who appreciate satire and enjoy a good laugh at the expense of historical seriousness.

Unlike other humorous history books that aim to educate while entertaining, Cunk’s work is more akin to the style of comedic mockumentaries. Her character’s naïve yet profound commentary offers a parody of educational television, similar to how John Clarke's The Games parodies sports coverage.

Conclusion:

The World According to Cunk is a delightful read for anyone looking to enjoy a humorous yet oddly insightful take on history. It’s perfect for fans of British comedy and those who appreciate satire. Cunk’s unique perspective and the book’s whimsical illustrations make it a standout in the genre of comedic history.

The book does not aim to inform in the traditional sense but rather to entertain and provoke thought through humor. Readers expecting a factual recount of history may be disappointed, but those open to a comedic journey through time will find it thoroughly enjoyable.

With its clever satire and engaging presentation, The World According to Cunk is a book that both entertains and subtly critiques our interpretations of history.

[jenreadsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Romans started throwing Christians into the Colosseum with lions, to see who would eat who first. Maybe the Christians hoped they could convert the big cats from lionism to Christianity in the few seconds their vocal cards were intact. But it wasn’t to be. For one thing, the lions had their own Jesus, called Simba.”

“With the British defeated, Washington became the first President of America. He set the tone of fair-minded, statesmanlike rule that epitomized the presidency until 2016, when they figured any mad old cunt would do.”

“Someone had to crack it, and it turned out the right brothers for the job were the Wright Brothers.”

“This was called The War on Terror, and in 2003 Bush declared it was over. It went on for another twenty years. He didn’t. In 2008 he retired to his farm to do the sort of paintings you put on fridges.”

[Adam Parks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woooo I’ve finished the book!!!

Quite good I do love it and you will too if you love Cunk like I do.

Reaosn a 4 not a 5 is cos it’s all about history thru the world which I enjoy leafing about but don’t love an distant my fav topic personally but cunk does make it a lot better and easier to learn/read about.

Plus I think cunk/diane is a multi talented amazing person

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version, read by Philomena Cunk (Diane Morgan). I definitely feel like this adds to the book, given the dry delivery of all of her works is what makes them so funny.

This was very typical of her style, and provided bite sized chunks of history. It was a little repetitive if you have already seen her TV shows, but none the less enjoyable.

[Fern Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light hearted, fast paced and funny, Philomena Cunk gives a whistle stop tour of the world’s history with her usual unique approach. I listened to the audiobook version which I’d highly recommend as it adds to the comedy of it. While by no means a ground breaking or serious book it was the perfect listen for during a hospital stay and cheered me up a lot.