cancermoononhigh's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
1.75
A great introduction book. Very basic
xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
This book features broad overviews of the wild activities of some notable historical figures. It was a very entertaining book.
imabrunette23's review against another edition
2.0
My second time through this book. I like little vignettes about history, and this book is nothing but vignettes. However, it is purely western European based, and that can get old quickly. Also, the continual referencing to other sections got old as well. Either tell me what you're referring to, or don't, but don't make me hunt through the book for it.
Interesting enough for a first read, but I wouldn't suggest buying it because it doesn't stand up to re-reading.
Interesting enough for a first read, but I wouldn't suggest buying it because it doesn't stand up to re-reading.
hollyevaallen's review against another edition
1.0
What an unfortunate disappointment. I saw the writer of this book mentioned during a documentary and decided to give it a try. This book is a collection of very brief looks at different historical characters and their sex lives or scandals. By the second story, I regretted renting the e-book. Farquhar describes the French King of Poland and Lithuania, Henri III, as an “ostentatious transvestite” who had friends that were “obsequious gays”. He makes the claim that Henri III was gay despite the fact that there’s plenty of evidence that he had mistresses. He also seems to draw a correlation between cross-dressing and sexuality which is inaccurate and oversimplified. Despite claiming Henri III was gay, a paragraph or so later Farquhar claims Henri III had an “almost incestuous” relationship with his mother. I’m not sure what constitutes as “almost” incestuous but the whole book is filled with vague, edgy statements like this. This book has inaccuracies and generalizations and is not presented in chronological order. I had to read to the end to get to Ancient Rome yet the book started with Catherine the Great for no discernible reason at all. I can’t really recommend this to anyone as it may give you incorrect or outlandish information.
livloveslibros's review against another edition
3.0
Solid 3 stars.
I've been reading this for a few months now when I need a break from other things. Another reviewer summed this up as "potty read," and I found that so apt that I'm going to steal it to use here. Some of the tales here are ones I'm familiar with, but Michael Farquhar has a nice funny style, so as a whole this was pretty entertaining. I think I'm most impressed with the bad behavior of the popes described in one section of this--I certainly never had a whiff of any of these stories in my religious education classes!
I've been reading this for a few months now when I need a break from other things. Another reviewer summed this up as "potty read," and I found that so apt that I'm going to steal it to use here. Some of the tales here are ones I'm familiar with, but Michael Farquhar has a nice funny style, so as a whole this was pretty entertaining. I think I'm most impressed with the bad behavior of the popes described in one section of this--I certainly never had a whiff of any of these stories in my religious education classes!
plasticsoul115's review against another edition
3.0
DNF, about 70% of the way through. I enjoyed what I read but it didn't really hold my attention.
hckilgour's review against another edition
funny
informative
medium-paced
3.0
History made fun! Though not for the participants of course.
With a dash or sarcasm and wit, it’s hard to not become enthralled in this book. Though, keeping the royalty and their family trees was a nightmare.
I was aware the English monarchs were a little whacked out, but man did I learn some stuff about the Romans and the papacy. Thank god I didn’t live in those eras.
With a dash or sarcasm and wit, it’s hard to not become enthralled in this book. Though, keeping the royalty and their family trees was a nightmare.
I was aware the English monarchs were a little whacked out, but man did I learn some stuff about the Romans and the papacy. Thank god I didn’t live in those eras.
dairine's review against another edition
4.0
Turning out to be a perfect companion to the first season of Showtime's "The Tudors."
Gooooood, naughty stuff!
Gooooood, naughty stuff!
esabel's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't like the short article style. I wish each section had been slightly longer and more informative