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Swisstory: The Untold, Bloody, and Absolutely Real History of Switzerland
Finally, the real history of Switzerland for clever kids and clever dukes slaughtered by filthy peasants, innocent "witches" hung up by their necks, buried gold, female mountaineers and, of course, all those murderous cows ... Not the fake history of Heidi and William Tell, but " Swisstory" – from ancient mountain people right up to women's right to vote. Hilariously illustrated by bestselling Swiss artist Michael Meister, Swisstory is outrageous, fascinating, gruesome – and completely true.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
270 pages, Paperback
Published September 18, 2019
12 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 23, 2020
To an outsider Swiss history can look like an empty space in the middle of Europe. Wondering if anything interesting ever happened there, I started reading with great curiosity. First, the legends of William Tell and the Rütli Oath didn’t add to the credibility. But then, the centuries-long complicated relationship with the very factual Habsburgs showed me that Switzerland does have a history of its own. The stories cover subjects from direct democracy and multilingualism to food used as a weapon and the dangers of cow pastures. The humorous way the facts are presented makes Swisstory a fun read, also thanks to the ironic illustrations which connect the past to the present. (SaRaf)
June 19, 2024
I picked up Swisstory during a tour of the Chateau de Chillon near Montreux (definitely recommend a visit). Living in Switzerland about a decade now, I was already aware of some of the stories mentioned in the book but it was fun to read about them in more detail and get some clarity on what was probably myth and what was real haha However, I have to say (maybe because it was more for children) there was very little referencing and information about source material. In terms of diversity, there was a section talking about interesting women in swiss history (yay!) but didn't touch on any racial or sexuality diversity. That being said, I enjoyed the book overall and would recommend it as an easy way to have a broad overview of Swiss history.
December 24, 2019
You don’t have to be interested in Swiss history to enjoy this book. It’s amazing for its wisdom and its illustrations. Its subtext is vast. It will influence your interpretation and understanding of all history, and perhaps bring about some small reduction in all the fighting.
Swisstory is told with wry wisdom. The chapter headings will give you the flavour. Here are just two ‘From the Cave to the Celt’ and ‘Mercy, Please Mercenaries.’
Here’s one of Theurer’s sentences, ‘…Switzerland warmed up. Immense forests grew and the melting glaciers provided tons of lakeside properties.’ (p.9) Witty, pointed – and hardly surprising. Theurer is also a poet and a short story writer.
There are chapters on Armed Neutrality, Napoleon, Witches—did you know that Siwtzerland won the witch-burning chanpionships?
There’s a chapter on Direct Democracy. Learn, Oh World. Learn, please.
The illustrations by Michael Meister compliment the text and enrich it and turn it into an almost graphic work. They are marvellous too.
Small criticisms - Among all this perfection, where is the Red Cross? And where is the Index?
Swisstory is the kind of perfect article that only the Swiss can produce – top quality in every way, a rolex of a book, no expense spared – well, ok, colour limited to red and black. It is a heavy book because the quality of the paper is so good. It is a special account of history that deserves its Rolls Royce vehicle. Laurie Theurer tells history as it is, no glamorising at all. History is war, fighting for freedom, fighting against oppressors, fighting.
If you’re too late to give it for Christmas, don’t despair. 2020 is full of birthday opportunities.
And it exists in both English and German.
Swisstory is told with wry wisdom. The chapter headings will give you the flavour. Here are just two ‘From the Cave to the Celt’ and ‘Mercy, Please Mercenaries.’
Here’s one of Theurer’s sentences, ‘…Switzerland warmed up. Immense forests grew and the melting glaciers provided tons of lakeside properties.’ (p.9) Witty, pointed – and hardly surprising. Theurer is also a poet and a short story writer.
There are chapters on Armed Neutrality, Napoleon, Witches—did you know that Siwtzerland won the witch-burning chanpionships?
There’s a chapter on Direct Democracy. Learn, Oh World. Learn, please.
The illustrations by Michael Meister compliment the text and enrich it and turn it into an almost graphic work. They are marvellous too.
Small criticisms - Among all this perfection, where is the Red Cross? And where is the Index?
Swisstory is the kind of perfect article that only the Swiss can produce – top quality in every way, a rolex of a book, no expense spared – well, ok, colour limited to red and black. It is a heavy book because the quality of the paper is so good. It is a special account of history that deserves its Rolls Royce vehicle. Laurie Theurer tells history as it is, no glamorising at all. History is war, fighting for freedom, fighting against oppressors, fighting.
If you’re too late to give it for Christmas, don’t despair. 2020 is full of birthday opportunities.
And it exists in both English and German.
December 27, 2019
I very much enjoyed reading this book (german version) and learned additional about our Swiss history. The drawings are also very funny and perfectly match with the writing. Easy reading - makes also a perfect present.
April 28, 2021
Ingenious, wonderful book!
April 4, 2020
Swisstory is a wonderfully illustrated history of Switzerland that's meant for kids, but it had this grown-up laughing out loud. The book offers an irreverent take on subjects both familiar and not: onion and gingerbread wars, peasant uprisings against the Habsburgs, mountain-climbing exploits (some undertaken by 19th-century women wearing dainty boots and long skirts), witch hunts, the country's "deadly" cows, awesome (yet little-known) women, cool inventions, and more. I learned that things I thought I knew (William Tell shooting the apple off his son's head) were often tales, while at the same time discovering how very much I actually didn't know about this landlocked country in the middle of Europe. The author (and illustrator) even find a light-hearted way to explain subjects like direct democracy and industrialization, while not shying away from some of the darker aspects of Swiss history. Highly recommended.
July 18, 2025
I love learning the history of countries as I travel and thought this was the perfect book for Switzerland. Offered an easy-to-read, accurate overview of Swiss history, told with a lot of humor. Not a deep dive, but it gives you the general context you need to better understand the country.
Although it’s geared toward teens, this adult loved it. I wish it were part of a series on different countries…this would be my go-to starter book for every place I visit.
The only heads up I’d give a friend interested in reading this for travel to Switzerland isn’t about the content, but the book itself. The paperback is surprisingly heavy and not the most practical for travel. That said, it was good enough that I chose to lug it around on many weekend trips across Switzerland. As far as I know, there’s no Kindle version available, and honestly, I don’t think it would work well in that format anyway. The book is full of illustrations and has the feel of a graphic novel.
Although it’s geared toward teens, this adult loved it. I wish it were part of a series on different countries…this would be my go-to starter book for every place I visit.
The only heads up I’d give a friend interested in reading this for travel to Switzerland isn’t about the content, but the book itself. The paperback is surprisingly heavy and not the most practical for travel. That said, it was good enough that I chose to lug it around on many weekend trips across Switzerland. As far as I know, there’s no Kindle version available, and honestly, I don’t think it would work well in that format anyway. The book is full of illustrations and has the feel of a graphic novel.
July 5, 2020
Funny and packed with very brief and digestible history about Switzerland. As the author says some of this history is admirable and some not so admirable, but it certainly was interesting.
I had no idea that women in this adamantly neutral country didn't have the right vote until the 1970s, and even after most regions capitulated, two of the cantons held out until 1990s. More fascinating tidbits: how the Swiss Guard became permanent fixtures in the Pope's service, where/why Swiss mercenaries hired themselves out around the world, how the Swiss maintained neutrality and avoided invasion during WWII.
The highly imaginative illustrations, add to the humor and to the enjoyment of this book.
I had no idea that women in this adamantly neutral country didn't have the right vote until the 1970s, and even after most regions capitulated, two of the cantons held out until 1990s. More fascinating tidbits: how the Swiss Guard became permanent fixtures in the Pope's service, where/why Swiss mercenaries hired themselves out around the world, how the Swiss maintained neutrality and avoided invasion during WWII.
The highly imaginative illustrations, add to the humor and to the enjoyment of this book.
October 25, 2020
What a gem. This book gave me an overview of roughly 100,000 years of Swiss history, and at the same time was thoroughly entertaining. Despite the "bloody" episodes warned of in the title, the book was absolutely hilarious at times, with the illustrations providing lots of laughs along the way. My ten-year-old son and I both loved it. I came away with a better understanding of Switzerland's long history, and the context of how Switzerland took shape amidst the struggles of the great empires of Europe.
April 5, 2020
So. Much. Fun.
Most history books are boring. Not Swisstory. Kids (and adults!) will want to keep turning pages and learning about Swiss history in this book. With a slightly twisted sense of humor, Theurer and Meister bring Switzerland's past and present to life. You will be laughing out loud the whole time you're learning.
Most history books are boring. Not Swisstory. Kids (and adults!) will want to keep turning pages and learning about Swiss history in this book. With a slightly twisted sense of humor, Theurer and Meister bring Switzerland's past and present to life. You will be laughing out loud the whole time you're learning.
November 15, 2025
The perfect book for a newbie to Swiss history! It's labelled as a book for younger readers, but I (as someone solidly in my late twenties) was thoroughly tickled by the illustrations and the way the story was told. I've been searching for a good introduction to understanding Switzerland, and I'm so glad I found this one.
February 22, 2023
Only appropriate for older kids (maybe middle school and higher?) imo. It's entertaining, and the humorous illustrations add to the fun. I didn't have time to finish it but will get back to it later. :-)
September 21, 2020
Very clever and interesting. Great for kids and adults alike. Lots of humor.
May 19, 2025
A nice and funny read on the Swiss history. Especially loved the illustrations and a chapter on the Swiss women (including the fighter for women’s voting rights).
July 25, 2025
This book is very entertaining and brilliantly written. I highly recommend it!
May 19, 2022
Simple and effective for getting in touch with swiss history.
Amazingly formatted and beautiful drawings.
Easy to read and straight to point. I really admired how it deals with not only the "good deeds" of the swiss but also to the more darker notes of the confederation.
I would suggest it to everybody.
Amazingly formatted and beautiful drawings.
Easy to read and straight to point. I really admired how it deals with not only the "good deeds" of the swiss but also to the more darker notes of the confederation.
I would suggest it to everybody.
June 26, 2020
Just a great literary as well as visual experience for readers of all ages. Storytelling at its finest, full of wit and heart.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews