Very Peculiar History
2 primary works • 24 total works
Volume 1
Readers can discover all about the peculiar history of England from ancient times to Agincourt with volume I of this three-part series. The unfolding story will tell of early hunter-gatherers and the first farmers; of Roman occupation eventually giving way to the often brutal land-hungry Anglo-Saxons; of Viking incursions and the 1066 Conquest by their cousins, the Normans; and of later incomers from all parts of the globe.
Book 2
Sex: A Very Peculiar History, this curious irreverent fact-filled volume provides a blushing, concise, historical overview of the most intimate of human activities...sex. David Arscott takes an entertaining look at sexual attitudes, customs and practices in all the world's major civilizations, past and present, and looks at how attitudes to sex have changed and developed over the centuries. In this small, but perfectly formed hardback, it takes the reader through Sex Hoorah - a celebration of sex in art and literature, Sex Boohoo - a history of sexual repression, Sex How-to and Sex Ha-ha, featuring offbeat stories to make you blush and a bedroomful of unseemly lists. Learn about the power of sex in all its joyful, dangerous and ridiculous guises with Sex: A Very Peculiar History.
Get a head start on the most important athletic event in the world with The Olympics, A Very Peculiar History! From its beginnings in Ancient Greek antiquity, right up to its arrival in Great Britain, the home of so many modern sports and favoured pastimes, the Olympic Games have always been a grand and exciting spectacle. Sometimes it's hard to believe that the first recorded Olympic running race was held nearly 3,000 years ago. Even so, precious little has changed since. The athletes may now be fully-clothed, but that doesn't stop their speed and skills improving. New Olympic world records are beaten all the time. The Olympics, A Very Peculiar History gives an overview of the strange, the unbelievable and the downright bizarre events that have occurred over the many years this esteemed competition has seen. The book features amazing athlete statistics, biographies and records, and well as quirky stories, fascinating facts from the world of the Olympics.
The Thames is the UK's most famous river, and this fast-paced thematic guide delves into the rich history, mythology and geography of its flowing waters.
Wonder at the many literary creations inspired by the river, learn about the various industries - legal and criminal - that have flourished along its length and hold your nose as the author explores its periods of horrible pollution.
Featuring a beautiful gatefold illustration of the Thames, black and white illustrations including a cutaway of Tower Bridge, witty anecdotes, incredible trivia, a timeline and glossary, readers of all ages will be entertained and educated.
Wonder at the many literary creations inspired by the river, learn about the various industries - legal and criminal - that have flourished along its length and hold your nose as the author explores its periods of horrible pollution.
Featuring a beautiful gatefold illustration of the Thames, black and white illustrations including a cutaway of Tower Bridge, witty anecdotes, incredible trivia, a timeline and glossary, readers of all ages will be entertained and educated.
British Prime Ministers, A Very Peculiar History explores the lives, triumphs, tragedies and disasters of Great Britain's prime ministers.
Covering everything from the early wheeling and dealing of Robert Walpole and the dodgy building work at Number 10 Downing Street to the bloody killing of Spencer Perceval, the heroism of Winston Churchill and the controversies surrounding the influence of Thatcher and Blair.
Featuring black and white illustrations, witty anecdotes, incredible information, a timeline and glossary, readers of all ages will be entertained and educated.
Covering everything from the early wheeling and dealing of Robert Walpole and the dodgy building work at Number 10 Downing Street to the bloody killing of Spencer Perceval, the heroism of Winston Churchill and the controversies surrounding the influence of Thatcher and Blair.
Featuring black and white illustrations, witty anecdotes, incredible information, a timeline and glossary, readers of all ages will be entertained and educated.
Taking an unique look at how Britain survived the bombing of its major cities, "The Blitz - A Very Peculiar History" tells a story of blackouts, Bletchley Park and bravery during the darkest (literally) period of World War II. From Dunkirk to Dad's Army, explore the many ways in which Britain tried to foil the incoming bomber planes, featuring quirky stories and fascinating trivia about this period of history. Were German paratroopers really dropped disguised as nuns? Find out the answer to this question and many more even more bizarre ones throughout the course of this amazing tale of survival in the face of adversity. Fact boxes, a full glossary and index make the book both fun and informative to use. The text is enlivened with black-and-white line drawings and full-colour endpapers.
Climate Change: A Very Peculiar History arms you with an introduction to the scientific concepts behind climate change, then hits you hard with the bizarre and at times disputed facts that go along with the theory. Climate Change: A Very Peculiar History includes information on the potentially disastrous effects of climate change and what we can do to stop them. It features easy-to-understand diagrams and fascinating fact sheets which will boggle the mind. Discover where the theory came from and what we were (or weren't) doing to help protect the Earth in past times. This book covers the scientific and historical background of our troubled relationship with the planet on which we live.
Very Peculiar History is a hugely-successful, award-winning information book series with more than 50 titles on diverse historical and cultural subjects.
Each volume features black and white illustrations, witty anecdotes, incredible trivia, a timeline, and glossary, providing hours of entertainment to readers of all ages.
Very Peculiar History is a hugely-successful, award-winning information book series with more than 50 titles on diverse historical and cultural subjects.
Each volume features black and white illustrations, witty anecdotes, incredible trivia, a timeline, and glossary, providing hours of entertainment to readers of all ages.
Winston Churchill, voted the greatest Briton of all time in a recent public poll, led a life rich in accomplishments, and this fast-paced chronological guide delves into the many ups and downs of his life and career.
Marvel at his derring-do and precocious abilities as a young man during the Boer War, wince at his blunders as Home Secretary in the Liberal government, laugh along with his talent for self-promotion and admire his steely resolve during the Second World War.
Featuring a beautiful gatefold illustration of Chartwell and its grounds, black and white illustrations, witty anecdotes, incredible trivia, a timeline and glossary, readers of all ages will be entertained and educated.
Marvel at his derring-do and precocious abilities as a young man during the Boer War, wince at his blunders as Home Secretary in the Liberal government, laugh along with his talent for self-promotion and admire his steely resolve during the Second World War.
Featuring a beautiful gatefold illustration of Chartwell and its grounds, black and white illustrations, witty anecdotes, incredible trivia, a timeline and glossary, readers of all ages will be entertained and educated.
When golfers first hit the green it certainly wasn't well-lawned and well-tended. Players simply waltzed into the wilderness and took whatever sandtraps and water hazards nature could throw at them, thwacking those balls with good grace across the skyline. Today golf is a grand and peaceful sport with a dash of high society about it. But what happened in between? Golf, A Very Peculiar History takes a sideways look at one of this nation's greatest exports, tracing its history from the earliest ball-in-hole games right up to the scandals that rock its current celebrities and tournaments, with a fair few mulligans in between. From its origins as a strictly men-only, exclusive sport, golf has matured a great deal through the ages and has distanced itself from the elitist pursuit it once was, today allowing players from all creeds and sexes. This book takes a look at how these prejudices have (sometimes) been overcome. Just remember, it's not always the caddie's fault...
American Presidents, A Very Peculiar History explores the triumphs, tragedies, scandals, wars and first ladies of the United States' most famous (and infamous) heads of state.
Covering everything from the American Revolution and the American civil war to Kennedy's assassination and the controversies surrounding America's latest president, Donald Trump, this is a fast-paced, must-read account of the lives of some of the most powerful men in history.
Featuring black and white illustrations, witty anecdotes, incredible information, a timeline and glossary, readers of all ages will be entertained and educated.
Covering everything from the American Revolution and the American civil war to Kennedy's assassination and the controversies surrounding America's latest president, Donald Trump, this is a fast-paced, must-read account of the lives of some of the most powerful men in history.
Featuring black and white illustrations, witty anecdotes, incredible information, a timeline and glossary, readers of all ages will be entertained and educated.
David Arscott explores the quirky past of one the UK's most important cities. From the Morris Minor to spoonerisms, the boat race to the Oxford bag, this title takes a fascinating tour through the streets of Oxford. Featuring black and white illustrations, witty anecdotes and incredible trivia, readers will be entertained and educated, disovering everything from Oxford's first origins to its presence in popular culture.
Wine, A Very Peculiar History takes a sideways look at one of the oldest and most widely consumed beverages in the world. You'll learn about the origins of the fermenting process, the drink's place in mythology and culture, and the ways in which tastes - and wine itself - have developed over the centuries.
Bath, A Very Peculiar History explores the history, architecture and cultural life of Bath, one of Britain's most beautiful cities.
Covering everything from its origins as a Roman town, when the famed spring baths were first constructed, through the Georgian period when it gained many of its iconic buildings, to its status today as a hugely-popular tourist attraction, this is an enthralling and fast-paced account of Bath in all its myriad glories.
Featuring black and white illustrations, witty anecdotes, incredible information, a timeline and glossary, readers of all ages will be entertained and educated.
Covering everything from its origins as a Roman town, when the famed spring baths were first constructed, through the Georgian period when it gained many of its iconic buildings, to its status today as a hugely-popular tourist attraction, this is an enthralling and fast-paced account of Bath in all its myriad glories.
Featuring black and white illustrations, witty anecdotes, incredible information, a timeline and glossary, readers of all ages will be entertained and educated.
In The World Cup: A Very Peculiar History, author David Arscott tackles the big subjects at the heart of the beautiful game, including how the tournament first kicked off, the dirty tactics used throughout the years and the most memorable managers in the history of the tournament. Filled to the brim with quirky quotes, fantastic facts and surprising statistics, this is the perfect accompaniment to any post-match celebration (or commiseration!) during the season. At its heart The World Cup: A Very Peculiar History is a look at the many amusing, amazing and sometimes alarming stories that lie behind this greatest of all sporting tournaments. And it even features up-to-date information about the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Features Stat Cards, World Cup Fact Files and humorous illustrations.