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The History of Mankind in Its Entirety (Abridged): From the Comedian Behind the Hit Podcast, Fin vs History
-THE BOOK FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE HISTORY BUT DON'T CARE WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED-
'Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it, half remembered. Fin Taylor is one of those people.’
Al Murray, comedian and author of Black Friday
'I deplore this book and wish its author ill.’
Dominic Sandbrook, author and host of The Rest is History podcast
---
This radical reappraisal of human history will change the way you look at the past. In this expansive yet abridged volume, academic pariah and pseudo-historian Fin Taylor re-writes the human story, from the Big Bang to the Second Plane (minus all the stuff we can skip in between).
Reader, you are looking at the entire story of humanity, abridged and edited by myself - Fin Taylor, Historian.
Interest in history is at an all time high, but in the midst of this gold rush my fellow historians have lost sight of why. What is it about the past that sets pulses racing? Is it really, as some academics would have you believe, the 'structural homophobia of Victorian Architecture'? Or is it the sadistic exploits of a madman with medals strapped to his chest? Is 1066 even important? Or is it, in fact, mere inspiration for the Francosphere’s largest tea towel?
From Henry VIII to Hitler via Cromwell, Caligula and Colonel Gaddafi, this new thesis is a radical reappraisal of the human story, featuring only the exciting bits like naval battles or war crimes. Because what is history if not entertainment for middle-aged men looking to escape the drudgery of their own domesticity?
Ground-breaking and entirely unsupervised, The History of Mankind in Its Entirety (Abridged) will teach you everything you need to know about the good old days – minus the boring stuff.
'Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it, half remembered. Fin Taylor is one of those people.’
Al Murray, comedian and author of Black Friday
'I deplore this book and wish its author ill.’
Dominic Sandbrook, author and host of The Rest is History podcast
---
This radical reappraisal of human history will change the way you look at the past. In this expansive yet abridged volume, academic pariah and pseudo-historian Fin Taylor re-writes the human story, from the Big Bang to the Second Plane (minus all the stuff we can skip in between).
Reader, you are looking at the entire story of humanity, abridged and edited by myself - Fin Taylor, Historian.
Interest in history is at an all time high, but in the midst of this gold rush my fellow historians have lost sight of why. What is it about the past that sets pulses racing? Is it really, as some academics would have you believe, the 'structural homophobia of Victorian Architecture'? Or is it the sadistic exploits of a madman with medals strapped to his chest? Is 1066 even important? Or is it, in fact, mere inspiration for the Francosphere’s largest tea towel?
From Henry VIII to Hitler via Cromwell, Caligula and Colonel Gaddafi, this new thesis is a radical reappraisal of the human story, featuring only the exciting bits like naval battles or war crimes. Because what is history if not entertainment for middle-aged men looking to escape the drudgery of their own domesticity?
Ground-breaking and entirely unsupervised, The History of Mankind in Its Entirety (Abridged) will teach you everything you need to know about the good old days – minus the boring stuff.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
September 10, 2026
The most important book since the Bible
September 10, 2026
A vital study in phrenology
September 14, 2026
I am glad to finally be categorised as enjoying basement girl history. It’s nice to be seen.
I hope this becomes the next history curriculum as soon as possible. Otherwise I will have no choice but to home school my future children with the use of this book.
This is how history should be written. I recommend to everyone. You will learn the most important parts in history and your life will never been the same again.
I hope this becomes the next history curriculum as soon as possible. Otherwise I will have no choice but to home school my future children with the use of this book.
This is how history should be written. I recommend to everyone. You will learn the most important parts in history and your life will never been the same again.
September 17, 2026
This. Is. CRICKET.
September 13, 2026
The next Ian Kershaw
September 17, 2026
Is this book based upon fact? We can’t know
October 21, 2026
Audiobook only.
September 17, 2026
Strong start, dips a bit then extremely strong end. If you’ve seen the podcast you’ll find some repetition of their highlights. He jokes about wanting to talk about Hitler and WWII throughout but you can actually tell, when you get there, how much he wanted to talk about it.
Overall would recommend.
Overall would recommend.
October 3, 2026
Funny in pockets but the novelty wears off pretty early and it ends up dragging on a bit.
September 27, 2026
It's fine. A lot of Finn's musings are less absurd when not filtered through the improv arena of a podcast, and can come across as somewhat edgy. But at this point you expect that, and it is a laugh, but while a lot more neatly packaged than the pod, it is a lot less silly.
September 16, 2026
Funny stuff, two stars. Good clean fun. I think I prefer the podcast format. The more dynamic, free-flowing style of comedy in collaboration with others is in my opinion more entertaining. Written as a sort of character acting piece was novel. A lot of the material covered very familiar ground. If it’s your cup of tea and it’s your first exposure I think you’ll find it funny. If you’ve listened quite a bit then you might find it a bit rehashed. Even though it’s not my favourite, it was still fun and hope makes lots of money.
October 2, 2026
As the Japanese fight on it becomes clear that act 3 can only end with the biggest explosion yet
One that’s bigger than the blitz, bigger than Hamburg bigger than eveerything at stalingrad. The final curtain
The only way to end the biggest 3 act play the world has ever seen. One fucking massive bomb. And then another just to make sure
One that’s bigger than the blitz, bigger than Hamburg bigger than eveerything at stalingrad. The final curtain
The only way to end the biggest 3 act play the world has ever seen. One fucking massive bomb. And then another just to make sure
October 16, 2026
The most veracious and accurate accounting of history since the Bible. A profoundly engaging read from page 1. Excited to see what this brave salmon does next.
October 21, 2026
i couldn’t be further from the target audience for this book but amusing
October 24, 2026
Funny but a bit boring
October 25, 2026
Learnt nothing. Superb.
September 16, 2026
History is written by the winners but re-written by the insufferable. Like Tom Milburn
October 10, 2026
Phrenology!
September 17, 2026
He's a racist and a scholar.
September 27, 2026
A towering achievement of historiographical scholarship.
Herodotus, Gibbons, Taylor.
Herodotus, Gibbons, Taylor.
October 1, 2026
Decentering the Phallotimeline: An Auditory Exhale for Subterranean Kin.
Content warning: imperial font sizes, interrogated chrononormativity, visceral archival tension, radical archival silence.
Dropping this review here because the mainstream algorithmic response to this book has been predictably dense, commercial, and flat. My nesting partner sent me a voice memo about this three weeks ago, insisting it wasn't what it looked like on the surface. They were entirely right. Before anyone else dismisses it, please recognise that in what is ultimately a deeply disruptive, genre-resistant work.
Taylor completely dismantles the traditional, patriarchal timeline, opting instead for a non-linear, deeply instinctive historicism. Shey refuses to center the usual imperialist narratives, prioritizing the unrecorded domestic intimacies that actually built the world, delivering a vital exercise in counter-hegemonic storytelling that reads more like oral tradition than dry archival consensus. Operating well outside the stuffy confines of cis-hetero-hegemonic academic institutions, this is history compiled from the margins by someone allergic to textbook orthodoxies—finally, a scholar who understands that traditional historiography is entirely compromised by male administrative ego!
Rather than remaining trapped inside the calcified silos of standard academia, Taylor (shey/they) deploys a rigorous, multi-disciplinary praxis. What makes this text feel like such an exhale for non-heteronormative and post-capitalist kinship circles is their relentless dedication to the spaces between the battles. Rather than lingering on the predictable vanity projects of self-important kings, shey turns their lens toward ancient agrarian collectives, the quiet resilience of unpartnered caretakers, and the clandestine herbal lore passed down through generations. They unearth the fiercely loyal, interdependent mutual-aid pods that mainstream historians have spent centuries deliberately mislabelling, validating what our communities have instinctively known all along.
This felt particularly resonant given my own relationship to the material world. As an ascetic existing primarily in the subterranean calm of our converted basement—maintaining strict energetic boundaries away from the noisy physical dating market, while keeping my bandwidth reserved for my online polycule—I long ago abandoned the oppressive, ocular-centric demands of standard literacy. I didn’t "read" this text in the conventional bourgeois sense; instead, I let Taylor’s radical sonic cadence wash over me via screen-reader, absorbing its somatic resonance in the quiet dark.
Ultimately, Taylor has pulled off the ultimate subversion: using the combined weight of science, history, and psychology to dress an urgent, post-cranial queer epistemology in what casual readers might mistake for standard popular non-fiction. It is an earthy, deeply relational reclamation of our shared past—one that belongs on every bedside table right next to your dog-eared Sarah Waters paperbacks.
Content warning: imperial font sizes, interrogated chrononormativity, visceral archival tension, radical archival silence.
Dropping this review here because the mainstream algorithmic response to this book has been predictably dense, commercial, and flat. My nesting partner sent me a voice memo about this three weeks ago, insisting it wasn't what it looked like on the surface. They were entirely right. Before anyone else dismisses it, please recognise that in what is ultimately a deeply disruptive, genre-resistant work.
Taylor completely dismantles the traditional, patriarchal timeline, opting instead for a non-linear, deeply instinctive historicism. Shey refuses to center the usual imperialist narratives, prioritizing the unrecorded domestic intimacies that actually built the world, delivering a vital exercise in counter-hegemonic storytelling that reads more like oral tradition than dry archival consensus. Operating well outside the stuffy confines of cis-hetero-hegemonic academic institutions, this is history compiled from the margins by someone allergic to textbook orthodoxies—finally, a scholar who understands that traditional historiography is entirely compromised by male administrative ego!
Rather than remaining trapped inside the calcified silos of standard academia, Taylor (shey/they) deploys a rigorous, multi-disciplinary praxis. What makes this text feel like such an exhale for non-heteronormative and post-capitalist kinship circles is their relentless dedication to the spaces between the battles. Rather than lingering on the predictable vanity projects of self-important kings, shey turns their lens toward ancient agrarian collectives, the quiet resilience of unpartnered caretakers, and the clandestine herbal lore passed down through generations. They unearth the fiercely loyal, interdependent mutual-aid pods that mainstream historians have spent centuries deliberately mislabelling, validating what our communities have instinctively known all along.
This felt particularly resonant given my own relationship to the material world. As an ascetic existing primarily in the subterranean calm of our converted basement—maintaining strict energetic boundaries away from the noisy physical dating market, while keeping my bandwidth reserved for my online polycule—I long ago abandoned the oppressive, ocular-centric demands of standard literacy. I didn’t "read" this text in the conventional bourgeois sense; instead, I let Taylor’s radical sonic cadence wash over me via screen-reader, absorbing its somatic resonance in the quiet dark.
Ultimately, Taylor has pulled off the ultimate subversion: using the combined weight of science, history, and psychology to dress an urgent, post-cranial queer epistemology in what casual readers might mistake for standard popular non-fiction. It is an earthy, deeply relational reclamation of our shared past—one that belongs on every bedside table right next to your dog-eared Sarah Waters paperbacks.
October 6, 2026
In many ways this is a satirical love letter to the concept of historical research. There's references to Eric Hobsbawn, Francis Fukuyama among other academics that would frequently appear during my own history degree.
There's a lot of amusing commentary on the nature of modern scholarly research with its 'bottom up' social history angle. It's amusing really because while I do love looking at such things, there is an element of truth in that when you first embrace history it's usually through the mad despots and broader horrible history (with many thanks to Terry Dreary). I very much appreciated the look at Victorian Science as it is an oft under discussed part of the human story, it's consequences still affecting the modern world.
I've enjoyed Finn Vs History for a while now and Finn's "British Dad" character is reminiscent of my own father who doubtless would espouse a lot of what is discussed here. There's a good amount of laughs at the recognition at a seemingly universal experiential truth of how British Dads behave and think. A good amount of ironic laughs too.
Finn is a nimble story teller as well as comedian, as demonstrated in the World War Two stages. I feel perhaps the book would be better served by being a bit more focused on subject matter as this straddles the line between narrative history and manifesto. I look forward to any sequels.
There's a lot of amusing commentary on the nature of modern scholarly research with its 'bottom up' social history angle. It's amusing really because while I do love looking at such things, there is an element of truth in that when you first embrace history it's usually through the mad despots and broader horrible history (with many thanks to Terry Dreary). I very much appreciated the look at Victorian Science as it is an oft under discussed part of the human story, it's consequences still affecting the modern world.
I've enjoyed Finn Vs History for a while now and Finn's "British Dad" character is reminiscent of my own father who doubtless would espouse a lot of what is discussed here. There's a good amount of laughs at the recognition at a seemingly universal experiential truth of how British Dads behave and think. A good amount of ironic laughs too.
Finn is a nimble story teller as well as comedian, as demonstrated in the World War Two stages. I feel perhaps the book would be better served by being a bit more focused on subject matter as this straddles the line between narrative history and manifesto. I look forward to any sequels.
September 29, 2026
One of the funniest books I’ve read in a long time. The lack of seriousness taken to some of the deadliest events in human history should be made clear for fear of someone not getting how Taylor has borrowed his character from his podcast and made it into literary tribute to how grown men find history as their escape.
The chapters are selected brilliantly from ranking 20th century dictators with details discussion and two unforgettable sections covering Austria’s contribution to history.
One slight complaint would be how few sections of the book were not previously covered by The Fin v History podcast which left some chapters feeling like existing material being expanded upon or simply repacked into an additional product.
All in all, this makes for a great casual read or even audio book for those with clear views on how history ought to be enjoyed rather than having all the fun bits replaced by more fringe research.
The chapters are selected brilliantly from ranking 20th century dictators with details discussion and two unforgettable sections covering Austria’s contribution to history.
One slight complaint would be how few sections of the book were not previously covered by The Fin v History podcast which left some chapters feeling like existing material being expanded upon or simply repacked into an additional product.
All in all, this makes for a great casual read or even audio book for those with clear views on how history ought to be enjoyed rather than having all the fun bits replaced by more fringe research.
October 8, 2026
I thought this was a book about history but instead its an attempt at a comedy with history used as a backdrop. Its written by a man child which makes sense as it was recommended to me by a friend with a very childish sense of humour. There was barely any real history in it as the author was too busy talking about men getting boners and cumming in their pants. Also a majority of the history referenced is commonly well known (certain roman emperors, zulus, ww2).
I give it 2* because incredibly, I know some people who would actually enjoy this book, but anyone with taste, or anyone who doesnt already know who the author is from their podcast (i had never heard of them), should avoid.
On final reflection, I do think the epilogue about what history our current living period will make in the future was interesting and aligned with some of my own thoughts. If only the book has been more like this.
I give it 2* because incredibly, I know some people who would actually enjoy this book, but anyone with taste, or anyone who doesnt already know who the author is from their podcast (i had never heard of them), should avoid.
On final reflection, I do think the epilogue about what history our current living period will make in the future was interesting and aligned with some of my own thoughts. If only the book has been more like this.
October 14, 2026
R-rated fun that would appall any budding historian who has no clue what they are getting into. A good opportunity to take off the thinking cap and enjoy a fumble through history, culminating in a feral devouring of WW2. Despite the authors best attempts to convince us that he is 100% a man child, the reader realises he is only 99.9% so, with the final chapter offering an interesting perspective on how current events may be viewed by future readers and writers (couldn’t have been him who wrote it). Hate that I could hear his voice all the way through. A fun read, well written, lots unlearned. Good work.
September 30, 2026
A famous man associated with Fin Taylor once said: "One book is another book." At least, I think he was talking about books. That being said, this book is a bit good.
Any fans of the FvH podcast, will no doubt pick up some of the oft quoted and fan favourite theories and highlights. You may have to prepare your prostates for the latter third of the book, but it is well worth the effort.
10/10, no notes, but then I am a thick, basement dwelling dumb dumb.
Any fans of the FvH podcast, will no doubt pick up some of the oft quoted and fan favourite theories and highlights. You may have to prepare your prostates for the latter third of the book, but it is well worth the effort.
10/10, no notes, but then I am a thick, basement dwelling dumb dumb.
October 25, 2026
The Taylor Method for Historical Relevancy might be the most important judgement scale for historical events!
As an avid listener of Fin vs History, there are a lot of overlaps & similar tone/hooks to some of the jokes (almost as if the podcast has been the test shows for this, the official stand up tour) which I liked.
And an actual excerpt from Darwin, wow!
Pure history academia.
As an avid listener of Fin vs History, there are a lot of overlaps & similar tone/hooks to some of the jokes (almost as if the podcast has been the test shows for this, the official stand up tour) which I liked.
And an actual excerpt from Darwin, wow!
Pure history academia.
October 29, 2026
I’ll write this review in the style of the book.
I started this book with good intentions as anyone might when embarking on a literary journey such as reading a porn mag or a dusty copy of the karma sutra. Much like myself in the bedroom, this book failed to deliver and just attempted the same clumsy joke again and again.
I started this book with good intentions as anyone might when embarking on a literary journey such as reading a porn mag or a dusty copy of the karma sutra. Much like myself in the bedroom, this book failed to deliver and just attempted the same clumsy joke again and again.
September 26, 2026
Funny take on a proper historical essay. Even though it's a comedy book the structure is clearly pulled from a history degree and he actually puts forward a (relatively) good arguement for his histiography. Wasn't sure what to expect but I enjoyed
October 16, 2026
This guy can legitimately write history. Yeha there’s sections that would be better suited to his usual podcast format, but it was still a great read, and genuinely brought up some interesting historiographical questions which I wasn’t expecting to pop up in my history of Nazis and phrenology book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews