What They Don't Tell You Series

Did you know that Saxon law didn't allow you to eat hens which had drunk human blood? The Anglo-Saxons feasted, fought and burnt the cakes, they sang songs and told tales, they drank too much, sacrificed humans and dealt out a particularly painful punishments. Any history book will give you the boring facts THEY think you should know, but only this one will tell you what the Anglo-Saxons were REALLY like...

Romans in Britain

by Robert Fowke

Published 14 January 1998

Did you know that some Roman generals would execute their own sons if they were disobedient? They had gory gladiators and evil emperors, they threw up at banquets and worshipped strange gods - but what else did the Romans do when they invaded Britain? Any history book will give you the boring facts THEY think you should know, but only this one will tell you what the Romans were REALLY like...

Planet Earth

by Robert Fowke

Published 15 April 1998

The Olympics

by Robert Fowke

Published 20 January 2000

Did you know that one gymnast in 1904 won gold even though he had a wooden leg? From the first ever Games in Olympia, Greece, to Sydney 2000, via Much Wenlock, this book includes everything you could possibly want to know about the Olympics past, present and future ...

Elizabeth I

by Robert Fowke

Published 1 July 1996

Did you know that Elizabeth I drank beer and wine for breakfast? If you thought that Henry VIII was a difficult monarch - think again! His tantrum-throwing daughter Elizabeth I was just as wild! Any history book will give you the boring facts they think you should know, but only this one will tell you what life under the world's worst-tempered queen was really like ...

Charles I and the Civil War

by Robert Fowke

Published 19 April 2001

This book explores the life of Charles I and explains how the Civil War started and what it was all about. It describes the battles fought between the Roundheads and the Cavaliers, the role of Oliver Cromwell and the events leading up to the execution of Charles. It also takes a look at the everyday lives of people during this fascinating period, including witches and crazy preachers. Written in the lively style common to this series, with black line illustrations throughout.

Tudors

by Robert Fowke

Published 14 June 2001

A bind-up of two successful books from the series, 'Henry VIII' and 'Elizabeth I'. Set against a backdrop of turbulence in the royal courts, this book provides a wealth of facts on Tudor England. It examines the reigns of all the Tudor monarchs - Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I, describing the roles that their various relatives, friends and foes played along the way. Also included is information on what life was like for those away from the palaces, from squatters, servants and farmers through to explorers, pirates, poets and playwrights. Gruesome details on crime, punishment and basic medicine help complete the all-encompassing picture of Tudor life. Written in the fun and lively style common to this series. With black line illustrations throughout.

World War I

by Robert Fowke

Published 18 April 2002

A bind-up of the existing titles "World War I" and "World War II", this book provides a compact piece of reference, a book suitable for both home and school. It describes the causes of each war, how the battles were fought (including the Battle of the Somme of World War I and the Blitz of World War II) and explains civilian life as well as the life of the soldiers. The topic is lightened in the traditional Bob Fowke style, with cartoons and quizzes.

Ancient Greeks

by Robert Fowke

Published 15 April 1998

Did you know that Greek athletes used to win olive oil as prizes? From hunky heroes to funky philosophers, the Ancient Greeks have had a gigantic influence on life as we know it! Any history book will give you the boring facts THEY think you should know, but only this will dish the real dirt on those Ancient Greek culture vultures.

Living Things

by Robert Fowke

Published 18 June 1997

The Cold War

by Robert Fowke

Published 17 May 2001

This book describes the long stand-off between America and Russia and their allies between 1945 and 1990. Bob Fowke charts the events of the Cold War, from the development of the Iron Curtain to the collapse of the Berlin Wall and its aftermath. It includes clear explanations of Communism and Capitalism and profiles of key world leaders, such as Gorbachev and Kennedy. With details of the space race, spies and satellites, nuclear weapons, the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Korean War. Written in the lively style common to this series, the author deals with the subject in a sensitive and skillful manner, introducing humour only where appropriate. It comes with black line illustrations throughout.

World War I

by Robert Fowke

Published 15 February 2001

This book explains how the war started, what it was about and who it involved. It describes the major battles and looks at what life was like for the soldiers in the trenches, the pilots in the air, the sailors at sea and the civilians back home. Written in the lively style common to this series, the author deals with this difficult subject in a sensitive and skilful manner, introducing humour only where appropriate. It includes black line illustrations throughout.

Vikings

by Robert Fowke

Published 19 February 1997

Did you know that Vikings liked to slurp blood soup for supper?

Highly-practised in the art of thuggery, the Vikings loved their drink, sacrificed humans in the name of religion and didn't bother with school! Any history book will give you the boring facts THEY think you should know, but only this one will tell you what the blood-thirsty Vikings were REALLY like ...

World War II

by Robert Fowke

Published 23 April 1997

Did you know that Adolf Hilter wasn't, in fact, German? The Second World War brought horror and heartache to millions of people all over the globe, and it turned everyday living upside down too. Any history book will give you the boring facts they think you should know, but only this one will tell you what life during World War II was really like ...

Queen Victoria

by Robert Fowke

Published 7 December 1995

Did you know that Victoria wore only black for 30 years? During Victoria's whopping 64 year reign, no one mentioned legs, loads of people were sent to Australia, and Londoners suffered 'the year of the Great Stink'. Any history book will give you the boring facts they think you should know, but only this one will tell you what strict Victorian life was really like ...

What They Don't Tell You About the Gunpowder Plot

by Robert Fowke

Published 13 June 2002

'Guy Fawkes would light the fuse then leave the cellar quickly. If all went according to plan, he would be halfway across the River Thames in a boat by the time the bomb went off.' The book puts the Gunpowder Plot into its 1605 context, providing background information on King James I and the restraining laws against Catholics in Britain at that time. The progress of the actual plot is followed - the meeting of the plotters, the renting of the cellar beneath the House of Lords, the gunpowder and the letter of betrayal. Events following the discovery of the plot are examined, as the escaping plotters are eventually put to justice. Readers will find out all they need to know about the history of November 5th. Written in the lively style common to this series, with excellent cartoon illustrations. Complete with index.

Invaders

by Robert Fowke

Published 16 August 2001

A bind-up of three successful titles from the series, "Romans in Britain", "Anglo-Saxons" and "Vikings". The book investigates how British society was shaped and affected by the invasion and settlement of these different people. Everyday lives during wartime and peacetime are studied, from slaves and peasants to emperors and kings. Well-known figures are included, such as Julius Caesar and Alfred the Great. The roles they and many others played in the invasion of Britain are described, together with gory details on battle tactics and the experiences of the common soldiers. It is written in the fun and lively style common to this series. It comes with black line illustrations throughout.

Henry VIII

by Robert Fowke

Published 7 December 1995

Did you know that Henry VIII played tennis while one of his wives was being beheaded? Henry VIII is England's most notorious king, but in fact his whole family was as bad. Under the Tudors, the warning 'Don't lose your head!' meant exactly that! Any history book will give you the boring facts they think you should know, but only this one will tell you what smellt Tudor life was really like ...

What They Don't Tell You About the Blitz

by Robert Fowke

Published 13 June 2002

'The Blitz brought out the best in people. Neighbours who hadn't spoken to each other for years passed cups of tea over the garden fence...' Opening with crucial details on how events in Germany led to World War II, the book then launches into a fascinating look at what life was like during the Blitz. Topics include evacuation, gas masks, bomb shelters, food rationing, the home guard and GIs. The book gives an excellent all-round view of the war, with information on how the British forces fought back and the effects this had on countries around the world. Written in the lively style common to this series, with fantastic cartoon illustrations. Complete with index.