Ask a Historian

50 Surprising Answers to Things You Always Wanted to Know

By: Greg Jenner

Narrated by: Dan Schreiber, Greg Jenner, Janina Ramirez, Shappi Khorsandi

Why is Italy called Italy? How old is curry? How fast was the medieval Chinese post system? How do we know how people sounded in the past? Who invented maths?

Responding to fifty genuine questions from the public, Greg Jenner takes you on an entertaining tour through history from the Stone Age to the Swinging Sixties, revealing the best and most surprising stories, facts and historical characters from the past. From ancient joke books, African empires and the invention of meringues, to mummies, mirrors and menstrual pads—Ask A Historian is a deliciously amusing and informative smorgasbord of historical curiosities.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Greg Jenner (P)2021 Orion Publishing Group

Critic reviews

"Jenner uses all the questions you never dared to ask about history as an excellent excuse to rummage around in some funny, fascinating, and downright peculiar corners of the past. Every page contains delights, and you will be illuminated and entertained in equal measure." (Lindsey Fitzharris, author of The Butchering Art)

"If history informs our future, Greg Jenner is one of the best informants out there. He is a natural story-teller, conveying complex ideas and events with pep, verve, and wit. For anyone who regularly asks the question 'Why?', this book is for you." (Susie Dent, author of Word Perfect)

Greg Jenner is a delight!

I enjoyed his wonderful and fun he makes history. Truly thought provoking and wonderfully paced.

Very interesting historical bits

I liked many of the questions and answers and the narration really conveyed the author's enthusiasm of the subject. One remark - some of the questions were very much based in UK history so if one is unfamiliar with the historical background one might not understand what this is about. ... other than that a very entertaining and informative book

I hope he does another volume (or ten)!

I’m really happy that Greg Jenner did the reading - such a nice voice and so funny. I’m a stickler for citations so I really appreciate that. I really do hope he’ll do more and more of these even though I know it’s hard work. I will buy every single one. Thanks Greg Jenner!

Excellent for anyone who loves history

The author tends to talk a little bit fast, and of course, with a British accent, so I slowed down the reading a little and that improve things for me. You might try that if you think he speaks too quickly. But I’d love fun facts about history, and this book is just full of them. a lot of the stuff that we believe about history is not always accurate. And in fact, sometimes the truth is even better than what we’ve been taught. His humor is wonderful and he is an easy guy to listen to. He drops in all kinds of little personal jokes so he keeps it really interesting.

best bonus content ever!

I never laughed so much during a history book. It keeps you engaged you don't want to "put it down"