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Greg Jenner

Goodreads Author

Born

Tunbridge Wells, Kent (England), The United Kingdom

Website

http://www.gregjenner.com

Genre

History, Children's, Humor and Comedy

Influences

SimonSchama MaryBeard BillBryson Caitlin Moran Charlie_Brooker ...more

Member Since

January 2016

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/greg_jenner

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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 hi ...more

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Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

Greg Jenner After abandoning an academic career I'd spent 11 years in the TV industry making historical programmes, and 5 of those years had been as the Historica…moreAfter abandoning an academic career I'd spent 11 years in the TV industry making historical programmes, and 5 of those years had been as the Historical Advisor to the BBC comedy show 'Horrible Histories'. The show is a big hit with children, and it was hugely inspiring to see the impact it was having on their love of history. But I was meeting so many adults who said history was boring, or irrelevant, or they had hated it at school and it had given them a lifelong phobia of history books. I realised that, if I was serious about being a public historian, then I had to reach these people too.

My hope was to write an accessible, light-hearted book that wouldn't be off-putting to these people, but which would also surprise and delight history buffs. I thought the best way to do that was to write a book about the history of daily life - something everyone experiences - and, to ensure there's new information for everyone, I extended my remit all the way back to the Stone Age. I hope you enjoy the book! Thanks, Greg (less)

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How do you get inspired to write?

Greg Jenner I love answering people's queries about the past. It gives me great satisfaction to meet audiences at book talks, and see what burning questions are o…moreI love answering people's queries about the past. It gives me great satisfaction to meet audiences at book talks, and see what burning questions are on their mind. History is a subject that constantly inspires me; so much of modern culture and politics is influenced by what happened in the past. (less)

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Greg Jenner’s books

Average rating: 3.88 · 8,649 ratings · 942 reviews · 9 distinct works • Similar authors

	Dead Famous: An Unexpected History of Celebrity from Bronze Age to Silver Screen 3.80 avg rating — 3,302 ratings — published 2020 — 12 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Ask a Historian: 50 Surprising Answers to Things You Always Wanted to Know 4.10 avg rating — 2,454 ratings — published 2021 — 10 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Million Years in a Day: A Curious History of Daily Life 3.74 avg rating — 2,673 ratings — published 2015 — 35 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Somewhat Complete History of Sitting Down 3.94 avg rating — 98 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	You Are History: The Amazing History of The Things You Use Everyday by Greg Jenner (Goodreads Author), Jenny Taylor (Illustrator) 4.44 avg rating — 64 ratings — published 2022 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Totally Chaotic History: Ancient Egypt Gets Unruly! by Greg Jenner (Goodreads Author), Rikin Parekh (illustrator), Campbell Price 4.47 avg rating — 34 ratings — published 2024 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Totally Chaotic History: Roman Britain Gets Rowdy! by Greg Jenner (Goodreads Author), Rikin Parekh (Illustrator), Emma Southon 4.61 avg rating — 18 ratings — published 2024 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Totally Chaotic History: The Stone Age Runs Wild! by Greg Jenner (Goodreads Author), Brenna Hassett, Rikin Parekh (Illustrator) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 6 ratings — published 2025 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Box Um Curioso Bem Informado 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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SUGGESTED READING

If you’ve enjoyed this book, and you’d like to know more about the subjects covered, here are some reading recommendations you might like. I’ve tried to prioritise things which are affordable, accessibly written, and available without a university library login, but sometimes the only sources I consulted were academic journal articles or PhD theses. Happy reading!

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