Customer Reviews

The Measly Middle Ages (Horrible Histories)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I came across Terry Deary completely by accident ~ in a gift shop in Scotland, shoved amongst other more "scholarly" hardcovers. As my graduate area of study is the Middle Ages, I was intrigued and bought the book on a whim ~ and haven't stopped buying Terry Deary's books since! Are the books chock-full of historical facts guaranteed to allow someone to walk away thinking they know everything about the Middle Ages, Greece, Rome, France, or any of Deary's other topics? No, of course not. Are the books a wonderfully entertaining (and illustrated!) way of addressing what can admittedly be a bit of a dry topic? Of course! I say any books that can make someone, young or old, become interested in history should be embraced fully. And, hey, I learn something new from every book I read, which is an added bonus! Further, I think these books definitely appeal to adults who have an interest or education in history ~ much as what "The Reduced Shakespeare Company" teaches us about Shakepeare is true about Deary's treatment of history: the better you know the original, the more funny and entertaining the condensed versions are.

I am really in the debt of Terry Deary. If it weren't for him and his wonderful "Horrible History" series, I would never have been introduced to history. I first read his work when I was only ten. Seven years later, I'm still enjoying his work. Yes, childish, but it is so much fun. I now want to teach, to make history fun to others. I wouldn't have known it possible if it weren't for Deary. Right next to my "Measly Middle Ages" and my "Woeful Second World War" is my John Keegen and William Manchester.

Onto "Measly Middle Ages". I really enjoy this book. Both irreverent and insightful at the same time, this book really shows the reader how horrible the middle ages actually were. I've read several works on the era, and this book nicely fills in the basic details, with out bogging it down with the details that us history dorks love. A great book for kids, a great book for people who both enjoy history and enjoy having fun.

This book would not do for a young person who actually wants to learn some history, as the history aspect is done just a little too "lite". Here's a paragraph describing the Norman Conquest: "Bill the Conqueror was Norman leader in 1066. He said King Edward of England had promised him the English throne --King Harold said the same thing." [You see the problem there with the indefinite antecedent.] "It was a fight to the death for two tough fellers. The English must have hoped Harold would win because Big Bill was bloodthirsty..." The above is actually okay for the British teenagers for whom it was originally written, but a young American audience would be unlikely to deduce the basic facts of the Norman Conquest from the author's account. It is, however, funny, likely to hook a reluctant reader, and seems to have been enjoyed by the young people who reviewed it here.

I have "terrible Tudors" "Cut throught Celts" and the "Blitzed Brits" these books are witty and informative! Not just for kids!

This great, enchanting, and captivating series attracted me since i was a child. Not only is this an educating experience, this also provides information in a very enjoyable way. Attractive to the most intelligent minds, and interesting to every child, this makes a great gift and also a great reader.
It will make you smile and even laugh out loud as you read book after book. My only question is, why would they ever stop priting? I ask Scholastic to continue print so all who desire a book can recieve one. Thank you.

The Measly Middle Ages has made teaching 7th grade social studies a breeze! My students love the gross facts and the comics that make learning history fun. One of them paid it the highest compliment a 13 year old can, he kept it! Now I'm ordering two more and will keep a closer eye this set.

The Measly Middle Ages has made teaching 7th grade social studies a breeze! My students love the gross facts and the comics that make learning history fun. One of them paid it the highest compliment a 13 year old can, he kept it! Now I'm ordering two more and will keep a closer eye this set.

These "Horrible Histories" books are written for kids, but are wonderful reading for adults, too. They make history and learning much more fun, due to the jokes, cartoons, snide remarks, etc., that are thrown in for good measure. Of our family of four, three of us are sharing the books between us. We will definitely be buying the whole series, as well as purchasing them for gifts!!

It told me about how people lived in the Middle Ages. But it also told me jokes, and I think it's a very good book to read, especially if you don't like your history class. This book tells you histories of the Middle Ages though jokes cartoons, and other great staff you want to read about, but the best part about this book is, it's funny and educational at the same time. So check it out sometimes.

The book really had no main characters. This book was an informational book covering the Middle ages. The book covered such great people in history as Queen Isabeau, King Richard II, and King Richard III.

The plot of the story is about the middle ages. Also about
how the people changed history and life as it was during the Middle Ages. The history that I learned was a lot different of how it is today. The story also focused on famous kings and Queens and important people who changes history forever and their improtant contributions to the Middle Ages.

The setting of the story is during the Middle Ages which is from 410A.D.-1453A.D.

The Measly Middle Ages is about the people in life that made a diffrence for the people of today. It also tells you about important events and the historic importance of individuals of during the middle ages.

One of the resons I liked this book is because I am realy into history. Another reason that I liked reading this book is because of the awsome illistrations throughout the book. I also enjoyed how the book kept my attention throghtout the story and this is why this was one of best books i have read in a long time.