A big thank you to Running Press for this ARC!

This is history made accessible for quite literally everybody. At times I wish I got a little more information, but thats what the internet is for. Katie did exactly what she promised, a little history for everyday in a funny, clever and interesting package. I could have easily read this in a day, without getting bored. Even historians (with a sense of humour) should be able to appreciate this book. History teacher should take notes, they’d be fired, but at least their class would have been fun. Even the syntax at the end made me giggle. I would 100% read another book by Katie. Amazing.

My thanks to NetGalley and Running Press for an advance copy of this book that looks at events throughout history with an eye towards being both informative and funny, proving that history is not only a circle, but is very much like getting hit in the face with a pie.

Many think of history as a dry recitation of facts. 1492 Columbus set sail to the find Asia, and found something in between. 1776 America begins a war with England for freedom. 1812 America does it again, this time over trade. History however is much more than that. Without understanding the past, one really can't understand the present. The same old hatreds, the same racism, the same stupid reasons constantly come up again and again. Another thing is history is also weird, and as weird as things are getting, well the past might say hold my beer. The Propellerheads had a great song called History Repeating with these lyrics:' {S}ome is good, some is bad and the joke is rather sad, that its all just a little bit of history repeating.'. Well in this book none of the jokes are bad, though they might get a little ribald. The History Gossip: A Slice of Ye Olde Scandal for Every Day of the Year by author and Tik Tok-er Katie Kennedy, illustrated by Martin Hargreaves, is a book of days dealing with events from throughout history, from the far past to the birth of pop stars, with many other odd, weird, and sad occasions in between.

The book is set up like an almanac, or a book of days, starting with January, with each day having a section discussing what happened that day, from the far past to the birth of Taylor Swift. Katie Kennedy, aka The History Gossip has made a credible list full of events both key to the growth of civilization, ie Taylor Swift, and things that might one go hmm, that seems odd. The beheading of the villain Oliver Cromwell, in retribution for the death of his king, though Cromwell had to be dug up from his grave of seven years to do so. The many assassination attempts on Queen Victoria, who wondered how that people loved her so to try and kill her. Actually Queen Victoria makes quite a few appearances here. War, pestilence famine and lots of death especially the weird kinds that history seems to be full pop up a lot. Along with events like the stopping of Niagara Falls, and a few stories about pets.

Each day offers a snarkily told snippet, along with a bit of fictional dialogue that might be what was really said, but would never be shared by historians. However added in the dialogue, Kennedy is sure to keep the event real, not making anything up, letting what happens happen. Kennedy can be what some would call crass, and British. This caused me to look up a few words that were new to me, and probably darning my Google search to some watchlist somewhere. Humor can be subjective and what makes one guffaw out loud, make make another just chuckle, or even worse put on a prune face. So many think that history can't be fun, can't be amusing, and must be as dull as possible. This misses much of why history is so alive. Times have been tough since the first fish crawled on land. And we are still here. I use this to keep me going in these dark times of colossal stupid we live in. Though I am sure we are only one day from digging up FDR and cutting his head off for giving us Social Security.

A funny book that might get people interested in the past, make them think about the future, and try to make it better that what is currently. The humor can be a little much, but older teens might snicker, and think hey this isn't just facts, and not just people put on pedestals. These people were real, and sometimes pretty stupid. Just like all humans. I enjoyed this book, and look forward to more.

I absolutely loved this book and the way history was presented in it. I think many people believe non-fiction books on history need to be stuffy and super formal, but books like these that are tongue-in-cheek and humorous just makes history more approachable. I loved the format of it being a historical fact for every day (hey, Katie, is there a calendar in the works because that would be so fun!) along with quotes and other tidbits.

Such a highly enjoyable read, and quite informative!

That being said, I do think this book will likely have a niche audience.

I had to DNF this book about halfway through (July 15th). I don't think the humor and slang was for me. I also didn't appreciate some of the fat-shaming in the book. You don't have to like Queen Victoria, but do you have to call her lard-arse every time you mention her? I think this book was a great idea, the execution was just a downer for me. Hopefully others will find this book funny, and I will say some of the facts were interesting!

Thank you to Katie Kennedy, Running Press, and NetGalley for the ARC!

Laugh-out-loud funny and filled with a balance of history and humor, this book was such an entertaining read. Recommended for fans of programs like Drunk History, Kennedy provides historical tidbits in the style of 'this day in history', covering a wide range of topics, including well-known people and events, along with some interesting little-known historical information.

It did help to be savvy in pop culture knowledge and lingo. The quick and funny historical summaries will put you in the mind of a gen z kid trying to explain something to their boomer grandparent.

If you want to have a competitive edge at the next pub trivia night but shudder at the thought of having to pick up a boring tome that doesn't even cover a wide range of topics, definitely pick up this book instead. It's hilarious, engaging, with fun breaks and illustrations scattered throughout, along with a helpful dictionary at the end for the aforementioned boomer grandparent that doesn't know what half of the slang used in the book means.

For me, I am a far more likely to remember things if the manner in which I learned it was entertaining enough, and this book certainly delivers.

thank you to netgalley, running press and author, katie kennedy for the arc copy of this book.
this book will be out may 6, 2025.
i have mixed feelings.
firstly, the premise is phenomenal. i think there was a good range of history but it seemed mostly white focused and pretty known history- i don’t think there’s anything super ground shaking in anything that i read.
i also didn’t like the rhetoric when talking about some of the women in the book- even if we are talking about the historical people as characters, and to be comedic- they were still people with stories that impact us today.
great idea. middle execution for me.

Not necessarily something you sit down and read all in one sitting, but definitely cute for a little fact/story a day. The authors voice is not my favorite but the stories are fun.

Thank you Netgalley, Running Press, and Katie Kennedy for sending me this advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a really fun book. I can see it being one I keep in the kitchen to read every morning while getting my coffee ready.

It was snarky, delightful, and I learned all sorts of interesting tidbits.

This book is a cleverly written group of completely random historical facts. I’m sure there’s a niche market for this type of tome.