What do you think?
Rate this book
Horrible Histories #20
Barmy British Empire
The Barmy British Empire gives you the brutal facts about how Britannia ruled the waves - from infamous antics in India to dreadful deeds down under.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
50 people are currently reading
597 people want to read
About the author
Terry Deary
823 books823 followersA former actor, theatre-director and drama teacher, Deary says he began writing when he was 29. Most famously, he is one of the authors of the Horrible Histories series of books popular among children for their disgusting details, gory information and humorous pictures and among adults for getting children interested in history. Books in the series have been widely translated into other languages and imitated.
A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.
The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.
Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).
He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.
-Wikipedia
A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.
The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.
Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).
He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.
-Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
February 23, 2018
در دورهی نوجوانی عجیب به کتابهای تاریخ ترسناک علاقه داشتم و حالا که بعد از سالها دوباره کتاب دیگری از این مجموعه را خواندم دیدم که کمدی سیاهش، چهقدر سیاهتر از دوران نوجوانیام به چشم میآید؛ صورت قبیح، کثیف و وحشیانهی استعمار بریتانیا
September 20, 2020
I think this is a great book, my parents and grand parents lived through some of the facts written in the book, it is brutally honest and educational, I feel it helps teach us to respect the past and not try and airbrush the parts of our history or heritage we do not like. History is there for us to learn from, it should teach us respect for everything the people from the colonies or the slave trade have offered to make Briatain so Great, we should all be grateful top those races who were taken from their homes and families to be brought to England to build our amazing cities and palaces that we enjoy today. Embrace, Remember and Respect!
May 15, 2021
這是一本搭配幽默插圖的小書，主要講述大英帝國在經營海外殖民地過程中的的黑歷史。無論先前有多少憧憬，讀完本書之後，或許會讓人對這個改變全世界近代史的國家，心中再度作些思索與評量吧。
本書作者最愛用的筆法，大概就像是：「英國人來到這裡，覺得〇〇〇〇最好，而他們也這樣作了。只不過，他們從沒問過本地人怎麼想。」確實，這正是帝國主義者的典型邏輯：先將自身所屬的制度文化當成唯一的聖杯，接下來，無論是屠殺原住民、奴隸販售、強佔領土、掠奪資源，任何看似血腥殘忍的行動，一切也都是順理成章的了。
大英帝國擴張全世界的範圍太廣，於是黑資料也寫不完。本書提到最多的，或許仍以印度的例子最多，其次是非洲與澳洲。中國方面，提到了鴉片戰爭寧波之戰時的指揮官下令「寅年寅時出兵」，而部下因方言問題而誤傳為「寅月」：這段我看不懂，不曉得是原文如此或譯文有誤。
可以一看的「黑暗歷史現場」叢書。絕對比KMT不敢讓你知道的事，有用多了。
本書作者最愛用的筆法，大概就像是：「英國人來到這裡，覺得〇〇〇〇最好，而他們也這樣作了。只不過，他們從沒問過本地人怎麼想。」確實，這正是帝國主義者的典型邏輯：先將自身所屬的制度文化當成唯一的聖杯，接下來，無論是屠殺原住民、奴隸販售、強佔領土、掠奪資源，任何看似血腥殘忍的行動，一切也都是順理成章的了。
大英帝國擴張全世界的範圍太廣，於是黑資料也寫不完。本書提到最多的，或許仍以印度的例子最多，其次是非洲與澳洲。中國方面，提到了鴉片戰爭寧波之戰時的指揮官下令「寅年寅時出兵」，而部下因方言問題而誤傳為「寅月」：這段我看不懂，不曉得是原文如此或譯文有誤。
可以一看的「黑暗歷史現場」叢書。絕對比KMT不敢讓你知道的事，有用多了。
September 30, 2018
This is the latest Horrible Histories book that I’ve read after picking up the box set for a bargain price at a car boot sale. I read a bunch of them when I was a kid, but I missed out on this one and so I’ve only just got round to reading it as an adult.
It’s a pretty interesting read though, and I particularly liked seeing the more negative side of the British Empire in action. I think too many people forget history and overlook some of the atrocities that the Brits carried out, so kudos to Deary, as a Brit, for going out of his way to include it. I even learned a few new things, which was a nice surprise.
It’s a pretty interesting read though, and I particularly liked seeing the more negative side of the British Empire in action. I think too many people forget history and overlook some of the atrocities that the Brits carried out, so kudos to Deary, as a Brit, for going out of his way to include it. I even learned a few new things, which was a nice surprise.
July 5, 2015
The fascinating book "Barmy British Empire" was a great book. The book, like the other books from its series, Horrible History, had facts with horror, and also fun facts. The book explained about the British Empire, the empire that had the most land in the world. The author explained about how the British ruled their colony. I recommend this book to people that want a history book with fun facts.
January 1, 2020
I don’t care if these books are aimed at kids, it’s a great - funny - and accessible way of finding out about history.
It gives you the brief insights that builds a foundational knowledge about a certain subject.
I take it upon myself to read adult books about these subjects if I’m curious for more.
4 stars.
It gives you the brief insights that builds a foundational knowledge about a certain subject.
I take it upon myself to read adult books about these subjects if I’m curious for more.
4 stars.
July 6, 2018
Rasanya 'pencapaian tertinggi' dalam hal sejarah itu berhasil ditembus saat seorang warga negara tertentu mampu menulis buku tentang kebusukan sejarah negaranya, dan setelah bukunya terbit pun dirinya nggak diapa-apakan oleh pihak pemerintah XDD
Seperti itulah buku ini, yang secara terang-terangan menunjukkan bahwa 'prestasi' British Empire yang menjajah berbagai daerah di seluruh penjuru dunia itu penuh dengan kegilaan dan kengerian. Dan dengan adil dikisahkan juga bentuk perlawanan tiap-tiap negara yang dijajah itu.
Hebatnya, buku ini ditujukan untuk anak-anak ^^ Nggak ada waktu yang lebih tepat untuk mendalami kebenaran sejarah, yang sering dilumuri gula, selain di usia muda (^_^) karena kalau sudah 'terlambat' dan terlanjur kedoktrin sejarah versi gula, kadang sudah gak mampu lagi menerima kenyataan pahit~
Seperti itulah buku ini, yang secara terang-terangan menunjukkan bahwa 'prestasi' British Empire yang menjajah berbagai daerah di seluruh penjuru dunia itu penuh dengan kegilaan dan kengerian. Dan dengan adil dikisahkan juga bentuk perlawanan tiap-tiap negara yang dijajah itu.
Hebatnya, buku ini ditujukan untuk anak-anak ^^ Nggak ada waktu yang lebih tepat untuk mendalami kebenaran sejarah, yang sering dilumuri gula, selain di usia muda (^_^) karena kalau sudah 'terlambat' dan terlanjur kedoktrin sejarah versi gula, kadang sudah gak mampu lagi menerima kenyataan pahit~
Read
June 7, 2020terry deary went in on the british empire and i'm kind of realising why i loved horrible histories more than textbooks growing up with how he doesn't sugar coat history at all
October 27, 2023
کتاب خوبی هست برای پر کردن وقت و سرگرمی
مطالب و اطلاعات باحالی هم داره
اگه بچه دارید حتمی براش بگیرید
مطالب و اطلاعات باحالی هم داره
اگه بچه دارید حتمی براش بگیرید
July 14, 2017
I'm a really big fan of the Horrible Histories Books - they provide a succinct, entertaining view of historical periods perfect for an orientation of each historical time. I do have to say, though, I found 'The Barmy British Empire' one of the hardest HH books to read. Not to do particularly with the writing style, or even the book itself - I just think that the British Empire, and the atrocities of the British East India Company, are hard to stomach, even in a broad overview of the topic. Because of this, I'm not sure I would recommend this particular book to younger readers, or would at least approach with hesitation. Once again, a great synopsis of history, but it's hard to make the reality of cruelty and imperialism entertaining, even for HH!
September 8, 2015
As a child history was one of my favourite school subjects thus making Horrible Histories the perfect books for me.
Nowadays children have the television series yet I belong to the older group that had the books. Personally, I believe any child who has an interest in history should give these books a go. They’re truly gripping and so many topics are covered.
Honestly, Horrible Histories are well worth a read.
Nowadays children have the television series yet I belong to the older group that had the books. Personally, I believe any child who has an interest in history should give these books a go. They’re truly gripping and so many topics are covered.
Honestly, Horrible Histories are well worth a read.
February 14, 2016
I love these horrible history books. They are filled with funny/gruesome facts, accompanied by pictures (which are varying between eww and lol). It is a fun way to learn stuff, especially recommended to kids. I am sure even the kids who don't like to learn will love this book, and in the end they will learn something too. :)
January 26, 2022
I read and own all of the Horrible Histories books, I'm a big fan. This is the only one out of all of them that I had to put them because it made me so upset reading about it. The British were absolutely AWFUL to people they deemed 'other', and it made me sick to my stomach. Be aware of that when you read this one but other than that, it's a great one! :)
September 13, 2024
“Horrible Histories: Barmy British Empire” by Terry Deary.
I remember reading the ‘Horrible History’ series as a child. I have not read this one.
Part of my personal research on British Raj. These books are historical but with a twist of humour. Unfortunately none of British history is funny, so much trauma and sadness.
Page 9-10:
“1756-63: The Seven Years War against France and Spain. The Brits win and become the main rulers of India’s incredible riches through the East India Company - a powerful trading company, backed by the British Navy.”
Page 13:
“1857: The Indian Mutiny. The Brits are shocked to find that the Indians do NOT like the Brits! Vicious fighting and cruelty on both sides.”
Page 14:
“1876: Queen Victoria is crowned Empress of India. No one has asked the Indians, of course.”
Page 16: Early Empire
Page 16-17:
“By the early 1600s British people had set out and begun to settle in America.. When they arrived in America they found people already living there - Native Americans.”
Page 23:
“..the British set out to find as many countries as they could to trade with. They could get tea from India, sheep from Australia and New Zealand, gold and diamonds from Africa.”
Page 26: Savage Slavers
“They sold slaves from Africa to America, for sugar, cotton, tobacco and rum and then sail back to Britain. And sell them for far more than you paid for the British load.”
Page 39:
“Slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1834.”
Page 49:
“The blasting barrel: In 1832, in India, some Muslims were afraid the British would force them to become Christians.”
Page 51: “Incredible India”.
Page 53: “Indian soldiers were called ‘sepoys’.”
Page 54:
“The Brits gave the sepoys new rifles with cartridges. To make the bullet slide you had to cover the cartridge with grease..”
“The sepoys were not Christians like the Brit officers. They were mostly Hindu and Muslim. The Hindus were not allowed to touch cows (because they’re sacred) and the Muslims are not allowed to touch pigs (because they’re filthy.) What did the Brits do? They used grease made from the fat of cows and pigs. The sepoys rebelled. Brit women and children were massacred.”
*** I heard this urban myth in a podcast and it said that the general consensus says it wasn’t pork fat to grease the guns. This information is incorrect!***
“Brit revenge was brutal -Muslim mutineers were sewn into PIG skins before they were hanged!”
Page 149:
“Britain created an empire which changed the world and made herself very rich in the process. The trouble is ‘great’ deeds like that cost a lot. They cost a lot of pain and suffering. The native peoples that the Brits met were conquered, broken and even wiped out.”
Page 151:
“On 15 August 1947 the Brits gave back India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to the native people.”
***How interesting that author put this in, when the partition happened it was split into three - India being central with West Pakistan and East Pakistan (which is Bangladesh today after their independence in 1971.)***
Page 151:
“The British politician Winston Churchill said ‘The Indian Empire was the finest achievement of the British people.’ What did the Indians think? They celebrated 15 August 1947 and freedom by tearing down the statues of the British Generals and the British rulers that the Brits had erected over the past 200 years.”
***There should have been more on this section - the mass partition, no talk about the Mountbattens.***
I liked how the author added on page 159:
“1 Actually some historians say the Brits did no such thing and the pig-fat/cow-fat story was invented by trouble makers.” Thank you Terry Deary!
After reading his website, it says from 2024 he will write adult fiction and nonfiction. I look forward to reading his next book: ‘A History of Britain in Ten Enemies' published 10 October 2024 by Transworld.
http://www.terry-deary.com/
I remember reading the ‘Horrible History’ series as a child. I have not read this one.
Part of my personal research on British Raj. These books are historical but with a twist of humour. Unfortunately none of British history is funny, so much trauma and sadness.
Page 9-10:
“1756-63: The Seven Years War against France and Spain. The Brits win and become the main rulers of India’s incredible riches through the East India Company - a powerful trading company, backed by the British Navy.”
Page 13:
“1857: The Indian Mutiny. The Brits are shocked to find that the Indians do NOT like the Brits! Vicious fighting and cruelty on both sides.”
Page 14:
“1876: Queen Victoria is crowned Empress of India. No one has asked the Indians, of course.”
Page 16: Early Empire
Page 16-17:
“By the early 1600s British people had set out and begun to settle in America.. When they arrived in America they found people already living there - Native Americans.”
Page 23:
“..the British set out to find as many countries as they could to trade with. They could get tea from India, sheep from Australia and New Zealand, gold and diamonds from Africa.”
Page 26: Savage Slavers
“They sold slaves from Africa to America, for sugar, cotton, tobacco and rum and then sail back to Britain. And sell them for far more than you paid for the British load.”
Page 39:
“Slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1834.”
Page 49:
“The blasting barrel: In 1832, in India, some Muslims were afraid the British would force them to become Christians.”
Page 51: “Incredible India”.
Page 53: “Indian soldiers were called ‘sepoys’.”
Page 54:
“The Brits gave the sepoys new rifles with cartridges. To make the bullet slide you had to cover the cartridge with grease..”
“The sepoys were not Christians like the Brit officers. They were mostly Hindu and Muslim. The Hindus were not allowed to touch cows (because they’re sacred) and the Muslims are not allowed to touch pigs (because they’re filthy.) What did the Brits do? They used grease made from the fat of cows and pigs. The sepoys rebelled. Brit women and children were massacred.”
*** I heard this urban myth in a podcast and it said that the general consensus says it wasn’t pork fat to grease the guns. This information is incorrect!***
“Brit revenge was brutal -Muslim mutineers were sewn into PIG skins before they were hanged!”
Page 149:
“Britain created an empire which changed the world and made herself very rich in the process. The trouble is ‘great’ deeds like that cost a lot. They cost a lot of pain and suffering. The native peoples that the Brits met were conquered, broken and even wiped out.”
Page 151:
“On 15 August 1947 the Brits gave back India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to the native people.”
***How interesting that author put this in, when the partition happened it was split into three - India being central with West Pakistan and East Pakistan (which is Bangladesh today after their independence in 1971.)***
Page 151:
“The British politician Winston Churchill said ‘The Indian Empire was the finest achievement of the British people.’ What did the Indians think? They celebrated 15 August 1947 and freedom by tearing down the statues of the British Generals and the British rulers that the Brits had erected over the past 200 years.”
***There should have been more on this section - the mass partition, no talk about the Mountbattens.***
I liked how the author added on page 159:
“1 Actually some historians say the Brits did no such thing and the pig-fat/cow-fat story was invented by trouble makers.” Thank you Terry Deary!
After reading his website, it says from 2024 he will write adult fiction and nonfiction. I look forward to reading his next book: ‘A History of Britain in Ten Enemies' published 10 October 2024 by Transworld.
http://www.terry-deary.com/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2021
The stereotypical image of a Horrible Histories book is: oh here are some facts but so you actually engage, we will overlay them with gross stuff that kids like about the meaning of "wrong end of the stick" and how Victorian's didn't used to brush their teeth. But really we are tricking you into learning about the East London slums or something.
This book was not like that at all, it was actually quite difficult to read. Instead of the horrible stuff being quite silly and childish, they were truly horrible and barbaric. Literally: genocide, massacres, cannibalism, torture and... well they stopped short of rape thankfully, but it doesn't take a historian to work out what happened to the native women.
He really did break down the concept of the British Empire as this great thing that some people (apparently) believe it to be. And show it for what it was. Which was a force for evil: destabilising countries at will, treating human beings like meat and stealing countries natural resources.
It read more like a manifesto against the nation curriculum which makes the British out to be good guys when in reality we were far from it. Especially the slavery stuff. I have to say that I have got to the age of 27 thinking slavery had nothing to do with us. I ignorantly thought it was the Americans shipping in slaves directly from Africa... how wrong I was. And I'm sure millions of other people think the same as I do because it just isn't taught properly in British schools.
I wouldn't say this book has made me ashamed to be British because the events of this book were such a long time ago that I feel detached from what happened. Besides my ancestors were those miserable poor white people working down the coal mines, just another set of cogs in the wheels of empire... making the land owners and aristocracy rich. Having said that this book does make me re-evaluate the history of our country.
At the end of the book Deary says "Empires were no longer a grand and glorious thing to have - just a sign of a greedy grasping nation and an excuse to be a bully. Since the Second World War, and Mr Hiltler's attempts to build an evil empire, no one puts up with bullies anymore." ... well I hope that is true and we do learn from the past and not just brush uncomfortable truths under the carpet.
This book was not like that at all, it was actually quite difficult to read. Instead of the horrible stuff being quite silly and childish, they were truly horrible and barbaric. Literally: genocide, massacres, cannibalism, torture and... well they stopped short of rape thankfully, but it doesn't take a historian to work out what happened to the native women.
"Most Victorian people believed that their country was land of hope and glory... mother of the free. The terrible truth was that the only free ones were the white natives of the British Isles (and even then life was pretty miserable unless you were wealthy)."
He really did break down the concept of the British Empire as this great thing that some people (apparently) believe it to be. And show it for what it was. Which was a force for evil: destabilising countries at will, treating human beings like meat and stealing countries natural resources.
It read more like a manifesto against the nation curriculum which makes the British out to be good guys when in reality we were far from it. Especially the slavery stuff. I have to say that I have got to the age of 27 thinking slavery had nothing to do with us. I ignorantly thought it was the Americans shipping in slaves directly from Africa... how wrong I was. And I'm sure millions of other people think the same as I do because it just isn't taught properly in British schools.
"The Brits abolished slavery and ever since school history books have been patting the Brits on the back for that! The books sometimes "forget" to mention the millions of miserable slaves that made millions of pounds for brutal Brits in the 200 years before they banned it."
I wouldn't say this book has made me ashamed to be British because the events of this book were such a long time ago that I feel detached from what happened. Besides my ancestors were those miserable poor white people working down the coal mines, just another set of cogs in the wheels of empire... making the land owners and aristocracy rich. Having said that this book does make me re-evaluate the history of our country.
At the end of the book Deary says "Empires were no longer a grand and glorious thing to have - just a sign of a greedy grasping nation and an excuse to be a bully. Since the Second World War, and Mr Hiltler's attempts to build an evil empire, no one puts up with bullies anymore." ... well I hope that is true and we do learn from the past and not just brush uncomfortable truths under the carpet.
April 18, 2021
Le he dado esa calificación debido a que me hizo sentir bastante mal cómo es que describe esta época de expansión imperialista de Gran Bretaña.
Es volver a ver las formas horribles de como un poder europeo aplasta a culturas locales por dinero y poder; haciendo de menos o creando tabú con practicas que eran normales para la cultura indígena pero no para su sociedad europea.
Culturas como India
o Nueva Zelanda con los Maori
o Zulus en África
tachados como salvajes y primitivos; siendo que el libro no se decide qué posición tomar. Por un lado cuenta la historia de la manera en la que paso para enseñar a los niños ingleses que son el público de esta serie, pero por otro continua con la narrativa imperialista de Gran Bretaña. Te duele el estomago porque es como si un libro en español se burlara de como los Españoles o los Portugueses extinguieron pueblos autóctonos en America Latina en el siglo XVI.
Es volver a ver las formas horribles de como un poder europeo aplasta a culturas locales por dinero y poder; haciendo de menos o creando tabú con practicas que eran normales para la cultura indígena pero no para su sociedad europea.
Culturas como India
o Nueva Zelanda con los Maori
o Zulus en África
tachados como salvajes y primitivos; siendo que el libro no se decide qué posición tomar. Por un lado cuenta la historia de la manera en la que paso para enseñar a los niños ingleses que son el público de esta serie, pero por otro continua con la narrativa imperialista de Gran Bretaña. Te duele el estomago porque es como si un libro en español se burlara de como los Españoles o los Portugueses extinguieron pueblos autóctonos en America Latina en el siglo XVI.
August 31, 2018
The book horrible history barmy british empire was made by Terry Deary and draw by Martin Brown
The book teaches you the things that happened when the british empire was trying to take over the world and make them self the richest conel, ways they grew cash was trading wether its slave trade, having criminals set to australia rather than prisons and have many tribes work for them in exchange so that they don't die or like how some people get executed for not bowing down to a leader and prefer death over failure
The book has a lot of humour such as jokes and puns with name even that some of the things are quite dark which is on reason why i recommend this book even for the slightly younger
The book was exciting as you would want to know what happens in the next years making you reading it even more with little quizzes along the way to test you if you were focused while reading
The book is the best for 10 years old to 12 years old as all the images will explain what is going on but is easy for older readers as there is a lot of images
The book teaches you the things that happened when the british empire was trying to take over the world and make them self the richest conel, ways they grew cash was trading wether its slave trade, having criminals set to australia rather than prisons and have many tribes work for them in exchange so that they don't die or like how some people get executed for not bowing down to a leader and prefer death over failure
The book has a lot of humour such as jokes and puns with name even that some of the things are quite dark which is on reason why i recommend this book even for the slightly younger
The book was exciting as you would want to know what happens in the next years making you reading it even more with little quizzes along the way to test you if you were focused while reading
The book is the best for 10 years old to 12 years old as all the images will explain what is going on but is easy for older readers as there is a lot of images
December 23, 2019
The Barmy British Empire gives you the brutal facts about how Britannia ruled the waves - from infamous antics in India to dreadful deeds down under.
This has to be the most honest horrible histories book I've read. You see im proud of my heritage being british i love our history but i have to admit it hasn't completey been clean and fair. And there's only so much guilt i can handle. This book recounts the history of the British army from before the discovery of america at the end of the 1400s up to 1899 after the death of queen Victoria. And this book goes into depth about how we where bullies and took over peoples country's and sold people into slavery. It's really hard reading being british but i find it's best if you embrace and learn from your past and thank god that we as a people learnt our lesson and changed but i guess a world war would do that to a nation and not just one but two and like hitler you cannot be a bully and take what you want. So I'm glad times have changed and the world today is different to what it was not that long ago in earth history.
5/5 Stars on GoodReads 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
100/100 GingerPoints 🔥🔥🔥🔥
This has to be the most honest horrible histories book I've read. You see im proud of my heritage being british i love our history but i have to admit it hasn't completey been clean and fair. And there's only so much guilt i can handle. This book recounts the history of the British army from before the discovery of america at the end of the 1400s up to 1899 after the death of queen Victoria. And this book goes into depth about how we where bullies and took over peoples country's and sold people into slavery. It's really hard reading being british but i find it's best if you embrace and learn from your past and thank god that we as a people learnt our lesson and changed but i guess a world war would do that to a nation and not just one but two and like hitler you cannot be a bully and take what you want. So I'm glad times have changed and the world today is different to what it was not that long ago in earth history.
5/5 Stars on GoodReads 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
100/100 GingerPoints 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Read
March 2, 2020The book is mainly about how the British treated people back then. It talks about what fights they had and how the slaves had been transported. When you get to like the 3rd chapter it talks about the wars they had when they were fighting and how they fought them and how they treated the soldiers in battle and how really rude they were. Eventually it starts to talk about the leaders and kings and how they had done things.
I give the book a 7/10 it wasn't to good to read it just didn't fill my brain with exciting things about the British. But it did have good non-fiction in the book and it was some what enjoyable. If it had good like pictures that really went well with it then it would be better, not saying it didn't have good pictures. I would mainly suggest this to people who like med-evil era and British history and maybe even British people.
I give the book a 7/10 it wasn't to good to read it just didn't fill my brain with exciting things about the British. But it did have good non-fiction in the book and it was some what enjoyable. If it had good like pictures that really went well with it then it would be better, not saying it didn't have good pictures. I would mainly suggest this to people who like med-evil era and British history and maybe even British people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2018
Most possibly the best in the series. Maybe it's the republican sentiment of Deary that yields a frankly honest critique of the British colonial 'saga' in the 19th century and all the way to the first World War. It's an observation that goes in the vein of "Empires were no longer a grand and glorious thing to have - just a sign of a greedy grasping nation and an excuse to be a bully" that points to political maturity of this book. The British Empire was just plain evil, even when that trophy was reserved for a Mr. Hitler instead. It's curious though that we never hear about the middle east, where new levels of evil were reached.
October 9, 2019
Throughout history the British did something very cruel to the people they were against. This book describes and shows what they British did to the people the were against. The people who were against the British may or may not forgive for what they have done to the them. Read this book and you will read the history of what happened to the British and the people.
This book would most likely be recommended to the people who my like a mixture of history and comics. This book was quite interesting from what I have read. I personally kind of liked this book, it was a pretty interesting and intriguing book. If you read this book hopefully you will like it.
This book would most likely be recommended to the people who my like a mixture of history and comics. This book was quite interesting from what I have read. I personally kind of liked this book, it was a pretty interesting and intriguing book. If you read this book hopefully you will like it.
December 19, 2021
Especially horrible content, with slavery and genocide featured. The hypocrisy of the British, the cruelty to animals, and the celebration of Men as heroes who were anything but, were also included.
Being Australian, I was particularly interested in the parts that covered colonialism here - especially in Tasmania. Funnily enough ( heavy sarcasm), that bit of horrible history barely copped a mention in 12 years of history classes. It was all pioneer life, bushrangers, and the Eureka Stockade. In other words: the history of white men.
This series tells it warts and all, and that’s what I like best about it.
Being Australian, I was particularly interested in the parts that covered colonialism here - especially in Tasmania. Funnily enough ( heavy sarcasm), that bit of horrible history barely copped a mention in 12 years of history classes. It was all pioneer life, bushrangers, and the Eureka Stockade. In other words: the history of white men.
This series tells it warts and all, and that’s what I like best about it.
March 13, 2022
Given that we’re not taught a great deal about the British Empire in our schools it’s probably a good thing that someone has written a book about it that is aimed directly at children and gives them a springboard to maybe go ahead and learn more about it outside of school.
Or at least to ask questions when they are in school of what exactly they are being taught.
It follows a standard vein for HH books and it does approach the Empire with the same humour that the other books in the series do. And an argument could be made that a British man is not the best person to be writing about the British empire but that’s what we’re left with.
Or at least to ask questions when they are in school of what exactly they are being taught.
It follows a standard vein for HH books and it does approach the Empire with the same humour that the other books in the series do. And an argument could be made that a British man is not the best person to be writing about the British empire but that’s what we’re left with.
March 24, 2023
With my son's increasing interest in learning about the world around him, we are going through the Horrible Histories series together at bedtime. The Barmy British Empire hit particularly close to home because it covered the subject of the colonisation of India. Though the book does an admirable job of describing the horrors of the period and owns up to the terrible implications of colonisation in a humorous manner, it does so fleetingly. The area is a vast one to cover in just one book, especially as it includes all parts of the world that were colonised by the Brits. I feel a book on this subject can be dedicated to each country or region, if it hasn't already been.
October 22, 2021
I'm thoroughly enjoying rereading these Horrible Histories books that I haven’t read in over a decade! There is plenty of information included that you might not find in more 'traditional' history books.
The cartoons are brilliant and still make me giggle even after all these years and Terry Deary's writing is still as engaging as it was all those years ago.
Even if you're an adult historian you will still enjoy reading these, whether reading them for the first time or rediscovering them!
The cartoons are brilliant and still make me giggle even after all these years and Terry Deary's writing is still as engaging as it was all those years ago.
Even if you're an adult historian you will still enjoy reading these, whether reading them for the first time or rediscovering them!
June 26, 2024
Took a quick break from reading recently as I’ve had a lot to do at work - writing reports, getting ready with transition, all that jazz…
As a child, I used to LOVE horrible histories. I loved the books, the tv show, the stage productions… just a massive fan. I think it’s one of the reasons I love history so much.
I saw this one in my school’s library and I don’t think I had ever read it before.
It was pretty good! Not one of my favourites, but I’m glad I have read it.
As a child, I used to LOVE horrible histories. I loved the books, the tv show, the stage productions… just a massive fan. I think it’s one of the reasons I love history so much.
I saw this one in my school’s library and I don’t think I had ever read it before.
It was pretty good! Not one of my favourites, but I’m glad I have read it.
August 6, 2025
The book reveals the true barminess of the Great British empire, a reality that a lot of history lessons overlook. This book succinctly presents the horrors committed by the Great Britain in pursuit of greed and power, cloaked in the ideologies of white supremacy and religion. The incessant chase towards wealth looks like the precursor of modern day capitalism.
Other than that, the book is really witty and has beautiful illustrations.
Other than that, the book is really witty and has beautiful illustrations.
April 2, 2020
I feel a bit stupid saying a “horrible histories” is too gruesome but I think this one is.
It might be ok for young teens but I think some of these stories would give a child nightmares. They disturbed me. Especially the stuff about the Tasmanian aborigines genocide. I’d definitely read through it before giving it to a child.
It might be ok for young teens but I think some of these stories would give a child nightmares. They disturbed me. Especially the stuff about the Tasmanian aborigines genocide. I’d definitely read through it before giving it to a child.
October 1, 2025
This book told me a lot that I was never told about in school but oh my! It’s very gruesome and there were points when I was reading it to my 9 year old and I wondered if it was a bit much for him! There are some truly horrible recounts in here, proving the British were barbarians, destroying numerous cultures.
March 23, 2017
It's amazing that people from a teeny tiny islands like British Isles could manage to build an empire in which the sun is never set. Although not unlike other series of horrible histories, the path of Great Britain to domination was painted with blood and greed, mostly. Rule Britannia, for Britannia ruled the wave!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews