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Interviews

The Penguin Podcast: episode 10 – history special

A History of Britain in Ten Enemies

The ridiculously funny history of Britain for adults from the multimillion-copy bestselling author of the Horrible Histories, perfect for fans of Unruly by David Mitchell. 
 
 'If you could take just one history book to a desert island, this would be it. It is laugh out loud funny' Conn Iggulden, bestselling author of the Emperor series 
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Ah, Britain. So special. The greatest nation on earth, some say. And we did it all on our own. Didn’t we…? 
 
 As it happens Britannia got its name from the Romans, and for the past two centuries we have been ruled by Germans. As Horrible Histories author Terry Deary argues, nations and their leaders are defined by the enemies they make. You might even say those enemies made Britain what it is today... 
 
 For instance, did you know:· Elizabeth I would count as a minor royal without the Spanish Armada?· Without the Nazis, Churchill would be remembered as an opposition windbag?· And the surprisingly sadistic Boudica would be forgotten if it weren't for the Roman Ninth Legion?After all, every nation sometimes needs a bit of unifying Blitz spirit, right? (although in an ideal world, we wouldn’t have accidentally let Corporal Hitler go in the first place). 
 
 A History of Britain in Ten Enemies is a witty, whistlestop tour of British history that will have you laughing as you find out what they didn't teach you in school.---------'Ram-packed with mind-blowing facts, hilarious characters, and little-known tales' Dan Schreiber, author of The Theory of Everything Else 
 
 ‘Packed with dinner-party-worthy anecdotes, the kind that will delight history buffs and newcomers alike’ Alice Loxton, The Telegraph 
 
 'Playful, cheeky, and very clever, this is a book for anyone who ever wished there was a Horrible Histories for grown-ups' Kate Lister, author of A Curious History of Sex 
 
 ‘Told with characteristic wit and verve…not just an eye-opener, but a mind-opener’ Tracy Borman, author of The Private Lives of the Tudors 
 
 
 Number 1 Sunday Times bestseller May 2025

Packed with dinner-party-worthy anecdotes, the kind which will delight history buffs and newcomers alike... a whirlwind of fascinating, globe-traversing history... a lively, wacky book, fizzing with energy and character... entertaining and accessible.

If you could take just one history book to a desert island, this would be it. It is laugh-out-loud funny, but there is also a love of history and story here that is pure JOY.

Conn Iggulden, author of the Emperor and Conqueror series

This book made me proud to be British. Ever since Britain existed as a nation, we’ve chosen only the fiercest and most fascinating enemies, and we usually put up a pretty good fight. And luckily, only recently have we started to lose to them on penalties.

Stephen Clarke, author of 1000 Years of Annoying the French

Finally a book by Terry Deary that I don’t have to sneak into my children’s bedroom at night to steal once they’ve gone to asleep. And who better to tell us about Britain’s enemies than history’s greatest ally. Terry Deary has once again delivered a book ram-packed with mind-blowing facts, hilarious characters, and little-known tales.

Dan Schreiber, author of The Theory of Everything Else and host of No Such Thing As a Fish and We Can Be Weirdos

Terry Deary in his inimitable style somehow manages to keep it down to just ten enemies. Hopefully none of them are unfinished business!

Al Murray, author of Arnhem Black Tuesday (and special guest drummer on Horrible Histories)

Playful, cheeky, and very clever, this is a book for anyone who ever wished there was a Horrible Histories for grown-ups. A glorious romp through the history of Britain’s enemies.

Kate Lister, author of A Curious History of Sex and host of Betwixt the Sheets

Told with characteristic wit and verve, this book makes you question everything you thought you knew about some of the most famous events in British history. Not just an eye-opener, but a mind-opener.

Tracy Borman, author of The Private Lives of the Tudors and joint Chief Curator for Historic Royal Palaces

Nobody has changed history more than Terry Deary

Terry Deary is the author of 342 published books including the acclaimed Horrible Histories series, selling over 38 million books in 45 languages. The series has been adapted for theatre, museum exhibitions and a major CBBC television series, which has gone on to win several Children's BAFTA awards and a British Comedy Award for best sketch show – the first children's show ever to win. 
Terry was conferred with an honorary Doctorate of Education by Sunderland University in 2000. He currently lives in County Durham with his wife Jenny and is an avid road runner in his spare time.

The surprisingly sadistic Boudica would be forgotten if it weren't for the Ninth Legion, Elizabeth I a minor royal without the Spanish Armada, and Churchill an opposition windbag without the Nazis. Britain loves its heroes so much we have been known to pickle them in brandy to keep them fresh. And after all, every nation sometimes needs a bit of unifying Blitz spirit (although in an ideal world, we wouldn’t have accidentally let Corporal Hitler go in the first place). 
 
Britain and the British have a proud history of choosing their enemies, from the Romans to the Germans. You might even say they made Britain what it is today...

Terry Deary

A riotous history of rebellions and revolutions

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the rich and powerful always look after their own and the working people are always revolting. But every now and again, a new group actually manages to seize power, and it changes history. 
 
Few enjoy the success of Ivaylo, the Bulgarian swineherd who managed to fight off the Mongols, slay the Tsar and marry his widow in the space of a year. But then, some rebels have more modest aims: Spartacus mainly wanted to go home to see his mum. Either way, we have much to learn from the tactics of revolutionaries gone by, like the two suffragists who posted themselves by Royal Mail to see the prime minister. (A first-class idea, though Downing Street declined the parcel.) 
 
From the peasants to the slaves, the martyrs to the mutineers, Revolting celebrates the resilience and determination of those who dared to challenge the status quo.

Terry Deary

Books by Terry Deary

Articles featuring Terry Deary

The Penguin Podcast: episode 10 – history special

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