A Somewhat Complete History of Sitting Down

by Greg Jenner (Narrator)

Yes, it's a strange kind of history. And that’s the way Public Historian Greg Jenner likes it. Because, he says, how we sit, where we sit, what we do when we sit and what happens as a result of all that sitting says a lot about humans past and present.

This study means we can link a royal throne with a 2000-year-old toilet. It shows how the language and culture of sitting is deep seated in all of us. It sits listeners down in classrooms, parliaments, sports grounds, protests and in the penitentiary death chamber.

So if you're sitting comfortably....

A Testbed Production for Audible Originals.

This is an Audible Original Podcast. Free for members. You can download all 8 episodes to your Library now.

©2020 Greg Jenner (P)2020 Audible, Ltd

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Audiobook, British Literature

Audible Audio

Published May 4, 2021

About the author

Greg Jenner (FRHistS) is a British public historian, broadcaster, and author noted for using comedy and pop culture in his writing and podcasting work. He holds an Honorary Doctorate and Fellowship from the University of York

As well as being the author of seven funny books, for adults and children, he is the creator and host of the chart-topping BBC comedy podcast 'YOU'RE DEAD TO ME', and spent 11 years working as the historical adviser on the multi-award-winning BBC comedy sketch show 'HORRIBLE HISTORIES' and its spin-off movie. He has also hosted numerous other radio, TV, and podcast series (see his website for more).

Greg began writing books for teens and adults, but has recently pivoted back to writing for children, most notably with his 'TOTALLY CHAOTIC HISTORY!' series which he co-writes with expert historians, and is illustrated by Rikin Parekh

GREG'S HISTORY BOOKS FOR ADULTS:
- Ask A Historian: 50 Surprising Answers To Things You Always Wanted To Know (2021)

- Dead Famous: An Unexpected History of Celebrity, From Bronze Age To Silver Screen (2020)

- A Million Years In A Day: A Curious History of Daily Life, From Stone Age To Phone Age (2015)

GREG'S CHILDREN'S BOOKS:
- You Are History: From the Alarm Clock to the Toilet, the Amazing History of the Things You Use Every Day', illustrated by Jenny Taylor

- Totally Chaotic History: Ancient Egypt Gets Unruly, co-written with Dr Campbell Price and illustrated by Rikin Parekh

- Totally Chaotic History: Roman Britain Gets Rowdy, co-written with Dr Emma Southon and illustrated by Rikin Parekh

- Totally Chaotic History: The Stone Age Runs Wild, co-written with Dr Brenna Hassett and illustrated by Rikin Parekh


Greg is an avid user of social media, and can be found on Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook and Threads - come have a chat!

Reviews

[Vagabond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting podcast, with each episode exploring a different facet of the topic, ranging from ancient times to the modern day. The narrator has a good energy, keeping the pace moving briskly, and includes interviews with guest speakers from a variety of disciplines. Well worth a listen - and free on Audible!

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprising world history through the lens of sitting.

The power dynamics of thrones, the layouts of parliaments, the effectiveness of protest by refusing to move from your seat, death by electric chair, orgasm by a very different electric chair, the proper way to defecate according to different countries, the history of dentistry, social control through being made to sit in a chair of shame, crowd control through the use of uncomfortable seating, the pleasures and perils of ultra comfy chairs - and more.

A fascinating look at many, many avenues of human history, told by the always funny Greg Jenner.

[Hilary Cockshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Mariam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an audible production! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Full of fun facts . Who knew that there is that much history behind the simple act of sitting down:)

[Rowena Eddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy listening, but not a lot of fresh information. Good format for before sleep.

[Elina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not really a book, but series of podcasts. Very entertaining and also informative.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more of a limited-run podcast than a book, but if Goodreads counts it as a book, who am I to argue?

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, fast and quipy. Just what I needed at the moment

[Saravanan Mani · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful look at something seemingly mundane. A great listen about everyday history.