In 100 Facts – serie

‘This is a market on our doorstep, ready for further exploitation by British firms. The membership fee seems rather small for all that access. Why are we so determined to turn our back on it?’ Boris JohnsonThe existential tension of a book of 100 facts about Boris Johnson is the man’s relationship to facts.The product of Britain’s top schools, he clearly knows better. But he has thrived less through displays of a hard-won and formidable erudition than by shading, exaggerating, or outright misstating the truth. Although he idolizes Winston Churchill, he has much more in common with US President Donald Trump. By creating a brand, a shtick, a persona, BoJo has transformed himself from a disgraced journalist into the most popular politician in Britain. Known for introducing Boris Bikes and Boris Buses while Mayor of London, Johnson’s most lasting legacy is likely to stem from his creation of Boris Facts, assertions of verisimilitude instead of veracity. By propagating these quasi-truths, an Old Etonian who had spent years living abroad managed to become, improbably, a champion of Little England, a motive force behind Brexit, and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.His story, like the man himself, is fascinating, hilarious – and scarcely believable.

Clive Pearson takes us on an engaging whirlwind tour of the fifty-three men and three women who have so far held the office of Prime Minister. We discover how they got to the top of the greasy pole and assess their performance once in power. Perhaps more importantly, we find out what lasting influence they have had on our lives today.The author also offers up entertaining little-known facts about these key players. Eighteenth-century prime ministers were generally a poor lot, often beset by health problems such as gout and apoplectic fits; later, one nineteenth-century premier spent his evenings prowling the streets at night looking for prostitutes to ‘reform’.This book casts a light on this colourful cast of characters, and offers an entertaining and accessible introduction to those who over the last three centuries have held the highest office in the land.

Discover the history behind the facts.The British Empire had a rich, varied and controversial history, commonly perceived to have spanned 500 years from the era of Columbus and his voyages of discovery to the aftermath of the Second World War. Many statements are made about this era that shaped our nation, but what are the stories behind these facts? Which are true and which are merely beliefs that have grown into fact? Jem Duducu takes us on a whirlwind tour of the Empire and its history, condensing the gigantic story into easy-to-read, bitesize sections. He examines some of the most important aspects of the Empire, from exploration and discovery in the era of Elizabeth I, to the Slave Trade, to the eventual decline after the Second World War.

Sparked by the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars became one of the largest European conflicts in history as Napoleon fought to expand his French Empire. The wars were instrumental in the formation of Europe as we know it today, and confirmed Britain’s dominance as a seafaring nation. It was a period famous for strategic warfare and cunning battle tactics. From this background emerged Nelson as national hero and politician.The Napoleonic Wars in 100 Facts covers the twenty-five years of war from the 1790s to the final victory in 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo. Jem Duducu guides us through some of the key figures and their stories, for example Wellington, Napoleon and Nelson, as well some of the major battles and tactics in this era of epic conflict that took British troops to Egypt, Argentina, America and of course a little town in Belgium called Waterloo.

The Stuart era encompasses the whole of the seventeenth century and beyond, with seven monarchs and a civil war that changed Britain forever. It was one of the most turbulent periods in our history, remembered for fire, plague and high treason alongside baroque music and Pepys's famous diary – but what are the stories behind the facts? Andrea Zuvich leads us through this fascinating era, condensing over 100 years of turmoil into 100 informative, bitesize facts. The well-known myths and unlikely truths surrounding the Stuarts are thoroughly examined, from the deaths of kings and the discovery of brave new worlds to Tulip Mania and the dangers of drinking orange juice.

The medieval period is often thought of as the Dark Ages, a period of cultural stagnation and little economic and political advancement. However, Britain in this period survived invasion upon invasion, absorbing aspects of Anglo-Saxon, Viking and Norman culture. Britain developed from a small and fractured island into a more unified and powerful nation that could hold its own in European politics.Medieval Britain in 100 Facts covers this extensive period of change, guiding us through the key events, such as the many invasions and internal conflicts, and the key personalities. Matthew Lewis challenges our misconceptions about this period of British history, condensing this huge story into easy-to-read, bitesize chunks. He examines some of the most important aspects of the Middle Ages, from its formation after the Roman exodus, to the Norman invasion, to its eventual decline during the Wars of the Roses.

The Wars of the Roses were a series of brutal conflicts between rival branches of the Plantagenet family – the Lancastrians and the Yorkists. The wars were fought between the descendants of Edward III and are believed to stem from the deposition of the unpopular Richard II by his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, who became Henry IV. The wars were thought to have been fought between 1455 and 1487, and they saw many kings rise and fall as their supporters fought for their right to rule.The Wars of the Roses in 100 Facts covers this dangerous and exciting period of political change, guiding us through the key events, such as the individual battles, and the key personalities, such as Richard, Duke of York, and the Earl of Warwick, known as 'the Kingmaker'. Matthew Lewis takes us on a tour through the Wars of the Roses, fact by fact, in easy-to-read, bite-size chunks. He examines some of the most important aspects of this period, from the outbreak of the conflict at the First Battle of St Albans, to Henry VI's insanity, and the character of Richard III and his final defeat at the hands of Henry Tudor.

The Georgian era is known for its lavish fashions and sumptuous food, as well as being a time of great social and political change. It saw the birth of the Industrial Revolution, the abolition of the slave trade and the expansion of the British Empire throughout the world. It is also an era greatly associated with the Arts – prolific writers and artists such as Shelley, Wordsworth, Austen and Turner changed the British cultural landscape.History is not just about kings and queens, or battles lost and won, it is also about the way ordinary people lived and changed the world around them. Mike Rendell covers some of the weird and wonderful facts about the era, as well as debunking some of the myths, in easy-to-read, bite-size sections. Find out about the vicar who discovered aspirin and the man who made his fortune from a toothbrush, alongside the personal lives of the monarchy.

The Roman Empire is one of the most famous civilisations in history, and with good cause. Over a period spanning nearly 1,000 years, the Romans came, saw and conquered land after land. This book looks at Roman history from the foundation to collapse of the empire, covering famous Romans, famous events and some of the more bizarre moments of ancient history.Among the historic figures featured are Julius Caesar, Spartacus and Nero. The great tales of these giants of history are told through facts about battles, uncontrolled decadence and the power-plays between emperors. However, there are also some more unexpected stories. The Romans, for example, couldn’t decide on the foundation story of Rome. The tale of Romulus and Remus was used for centuries, but a completely contradictory story appeared in the first century AD claiming the Romans were actually refugees from Troy.Jem Duducu condenses the colossal story of the Romans into 100 accessible facts in this fun introduction to the Roman Empire.

The English Civil War pitted Parliament against the Crown following a breakdown in their relationship, ultimately caused by a struggle over power, religion and control. The Civil War split the country and resulted in the execution of Charles I and the exile of his son, and the English monarchy was replaced first by the Commonwealth of England and then the Protectorate. Oliver Cromwell dominated the politics of the new rule and still divides opinion today, with some seeing him as a brutal dictator and others seeing him as a hero of liberty.The English Civil War in 100 Facts examines the twenty years of intermittent warfare, covering the first, second and third wars, from the initial conflict with Charles I to the fight of Charles II’s supporters with the Rump Parliament. Dr Andrew Lacey guides us through some of the key figures and their stories as well as some of the key battles and politics in this period that drastically altered the structure of English rule.

The history of medicine is a vast subject, encompassing the whole of humanity in every region of the globe. For millennia, our ancestors have sought to combat disease, relieve pain and postpone the Grim Reaper’s inevitable victory, doing so with a fortitude and humour that makes their experiences resonate with us today.In this book packed full of facts from medicine’s long and often shocking past, Caroline Rance gives concise introductions to some of the more well-known (and not-so-well-known) episodes, dispelling a few myths and celebrating a few neglected figures along the way.

The Reformation is one of the most important events in world history. It sparked changes in beliefs that set off a chain of devastating wars in Europe, created the United States and still shapes the modern world, even in secular countries where Christians are in the minority. Yet it had relatively low-key beginnings: in 1517 a German monk, Martin Luther, thought there was room for improvement in the Roman Catholic Church to which he belonged. Instead, he discovered he had founded a new religion, which became known as Protestantism.Dr Kathleen Chater leads us through the Reformation, condensing one of the great upheavals of the modern world into 100 easy-to-read, bitesize facts and skilfully guiding us through its turbulent history. This book gives a useful introduction to the major events of the Reformation itself and the consequences that have flowed from the new ways of thinking it created.

The Second World War was the most widespread conflict in human history. Involving over 100 million people from more than thirty nations, it completely reshaped the world as we know it and led to the birth of the modern era. It gave rise to world leaders both iconic and infamous, instigated the break-up of empires and set the stage for the Cold War between the United States of America and the Soviet Union, which would last for over forty years. In Britain, the war helped to solidify a national identity that lasts to this day, leading to the creation of the welfare state and highlighting the merits of an orderly queuing system.Clive Pearson takes us on a quick march across the battlegrounds of the world’s deadliest conflict, at home and abroad. Witness the war’s defining moments and international aftermath, and discover a few lesser-known facts you may never have heard of along the way.

William Shakespeare is the world’s best-loved playwright. His work is performed all over the globe and his life still tantalises us with its mysteries. The man who created classics such as Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth lived in the most turbulent yet thrilling era of English history. Shakespeare witnessed the flowering of English Renaissance drama and the construction of iconic playhouses such as The Globe. He also lived through the type of political and religious tensions which could see traitors executed on another type of public stage – the hangman’s scaffold.William Shakespeare in 100 Facts guides us through the lesser-known stories surrounding the ‘Sweet Swan of Avon’. Zoe Bramley invites us to re-examine what we know about Shakespeare, uncovering details from his lifetime and legacy and organising them into easy-to-read, bitesize facts. Be prepared to have myths busted and quirky facts revealed, from the name of his first patron’s cat to how they say ‘to be or not to be’ in Klingon.

The Anglo-Saxon age was one of great change and unrest. Lasting from the departure of the Romans in approximately AD 400 until the Norman invasion in AD 1066, this era was defined by the continued spread of Christianity, the constant threat of Viking raids and the first stirrings of a nation that would become known as England.With its strange customs and unfamiliar names, the Anglo-Saxon era became mysterious and misunderstood, ironically by the descendants of the Anglo-Saxons, the English people themselves. Archaeological discoveries have forced us to re-evaluate these ingenious and skilled people, and to acknowledge the debt we owe to them. Martin Wall seeks to ‘de-mystify’ the period, breaking it down into easy-to-read, bitesize chunks, and to show that the so-called ‘Dark Ages’ were by no means backward or inferior. It was a truly heroic age, whose exemplars, such as King Offa, Alfred the Great, Lady Aethelflaed or Athelstan, stand beside the giants of world history. In 100 excerpts from these turbulent, bloody and exciting centuries, a proud, complex, but ultimately doomed civilisation is revealed.

Ancient Greece was never just one nation: it was a disparate collection of independent city-states, often embroiled in war with each other, with separate governments, their own armies and distinct politics, economies and societies. However, together these vibrant and diverse peoples made one of the greatest civilisations the world has ever known, endowing the western world with cuttingedge philosophy, science, literature, architecture, visual arts, military prowess and democracy – to name but a few of their enduring contributions to the modern world.The Ancient Greeks in 100 Facts tells the story of this fascinating civilisation, from its earliest Bronze Age beginnings as described by Homer and Hesiod, to the wars with and eventual subjugation by the Romans. Visit the Minoans and the Spartans, the Macedonians and the Athenians; meet Plato and Aristotle, Sophocles and Socrates; follow Alexander the Great to the end of the world; and witness the birth of historical writing through Herodotus and Thucydides.These 100 gripping facts provide an enjoyable and accessible introduction to one of the world’s great civilisations.

America's many presidents, both famous and obscure, have been as varied as the history of the country they have ruled. Over two centuries the presidential seat has been occupied by soldiers and school teachers, judges and journalists, haberdashers, Hollywood actors, professors, postmasters and even, believe it or not, a peanut farmer. Each had their own strengths and weaknesses, some perhaps with more of one than the other, but all were influential in shaping the history of this unique and influential nation.In this fun and informative book, Jem Duducu introduces us to the famous, the infamous, the unknown and the occasionally unfortunate men who have led a country from its early years as a colony fighting for independence, through to it becoming the most powerful nation in the world.

Love him or loathe him, everybody is interested in the phenomenon that is Donald Trump. In the 100 facts contained within, Ruth Ann Monti brings us up close to the man and the brand. Even seasoned Trump watchers will find things they never knew. Did you know that Trump’s children aren't allowed to keep pets? That he has been married more times than any other president? How many businesses bearing his name have gone under? Did you know he once proposed a tax on the 'superwealthy' to wipe out the national debt? How about the theory that The Donald is descended from a ‘werewolf ’ –or at least from his lover?Whether you approach this book as a dip-in fact file or a straight read, your jaw will hit the floor.