Hideous History: Death & Destruction

Hideous History

by Sandra Lawrence

All the grim, gruesome and gory parts of history they never teach you in school! This darkly funny, wonderfully illustrated book is full of some of the most bizarre historical characters with the most hideous stories and lives.

Featuring the grisly tales of Al Capone, Vlad Dracula, Richard III, Rasputin, Vikings, and many more.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

64 pages, Hardcover

First published July 5, 2016

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know those parties that people you don't know very well hold when their parents go on vacation? The ones that start out with a few friends and end up with the police being called?

Considering the target audience is supposed to be ages 10-14 (according to the book jacket), I'm going with, "No." Most middle school students are not left unattended whilst their parents go on vacation. Also, someone's been watching too many teen movies.

I thought the material here was a little mature for the younger end of that age range, but my 13-year-old, who also read it, reassures me that it's no more graphic than video games that a lot of kids play. (That was about as much as I got out of him, other than "it was pretty good" because it contains FACTS and doesn't try to hide anything.) For example, I remember being in high school before I read about Vlad the Impaler and his penchant for sticking stakes up his enemies' bums. Eh...kids these days.

Overall, the information presented here is interesting. The "kid friendly" formatting sometimes jumbles the information a bit and I can't figure out the overall organization of the stories. While it starts chronologically (Boudica, Vlad Dracula, French Revolution, Fear in Old London Town, Pirates), after Chicago Death Hotel (1893), it jumps back to 7th century China (Empress Wu Zetian), then up to the 1920s (Al Capone), then back to the Deaths of the Roman Emperors and the Vikings, before moving on to Richard III, Boston Tea Party, Rasputin, and Civil War Tech. It all seems pretty random and far-ranging between individuals, mass hysteria, entire cultures, etc. (But my son didn't seem to notice or care.)

So, in short, better for kids than adults (at least anal retentive ones like me), decide for yourself whether your child is ready to read about "Celtic rebels stringing up naked nobles, chopping parts off and skewering women with sharp sticks from end to end," or the Norse murder technique called Blood Eagle in which "the victim's rib cage was cut away from his spine and folded back like the wings of an eagle. His lungs were then dragged out and pinned back as a sacrifice to Odin." (These are probably the absolute goriest parts of the entire book. But you've been warned.)

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book! I liked the fact that the author, Sandra Lawrence, focuses mostly on lesser known historical figures and historical events.

[Vanessah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I already knew of a lot of the events in this, it really goes into detail about each of them. Very interesting and gruesome.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an impressive cover. I simply had to pick this one up and wasn't disappointed. History has many dark sides indeed. Here you'll find Boudica, Vlad Dracula, French Revolution, Mass Fear in Old London Town (e.g. The Monster and Spring Heel Jack), Pirates, Chicago Death Hotel, Al Capone, Death of the Roman Emperors, Vikings, Richard III, Boston Tea Party, Rasputin, American Civil War... the selection is a bit arbitrary but with its excellent illustrations you will devour this well done book with its intriguing topics. Highly recommended!

[wildct2003 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just ok. Author doesn’t use visual formatting well; highlighted text is sometimes required to proceed with normal text. At end of book claims Confederates made a Sherman’s neckties out of rails. Should have been a lot better.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Although it’s written and illustrated like a nonfiction kids book, I think it would be more appropriate for 12+. Kind of graphic in some of the descriptions but the pictures aren’t bad.

[Georgi_Lvs_Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I loved this! Fascinating and fun. More suited for younger readers but still enjoyable.