Thursday 31 October 2013

Book review : The Little Book of Monarchs - Tony Boullemier


The Little Book of Monarchs is the perfect history book for people who don't like history, or even books come to that ! The press release describes it as probably the most concise English history book ever but that doesn't do it justice. Author Tony Boullemier has taken all 42 rulers of England since 1066 and condensed each reign into 5 bullet points. As well as covering all the major battles, rebellions and bizarre deaths across ten turbulent centuries, each page dishes the dirt on the monarchs, revealing their strange foibles and the royal gossip of the time.


Each monarch also has a humorous cartoon accompanying his or her rapid rundown. My favourite is the cheeky one featuring our current Queen telling Prince Charles to keep his hands off her crown jewels and wait his turn ! As the press release says, it's history with a smile on its face, but it is nevertheless an educational read, covering a large part of English history and providing a chronology of the different monarchs' reigns.


I sat down and read it cover to cover (it only took half an hour), frequently smiling and saying "Did you know …?" to anyone in the surrounding area. Then I passed it on to 12-year-old Sophie who did exactly the same, so it certainly appeals to all generations.


Tony Boullemier apparently wrote The Little Book of Monarchs as a response to the falling standards of history in schools, which he feels focuses on specific periods without giving a proper overview. It is informative and accurate but it's above all enjoyable and fun.

Star rating : 4.5/5

RRP : £7.99

  • Hardcover: 88 pages
  • Publisher: Matador (1 Oct 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1783060859
  • ISBN-13: 978-1783060856
  • Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 13.4 x 1.4 cm



Disclosure : We received the book in order to write an honest review.

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