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Napoleon's Privates: 2,500 Years Of History Unzipped (2008)

by Tony Perrottet(Favorite Author)

3.73 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0061257281 (ISBN13: 9780061257285)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

It Books

review 1: I was checking out the bargain section of B&N with two friends and found this on the history shelf. Only the spine was showing, which only says "Napoleon's Privates". Being in a silly mood I laughed and pointed it out to my friends, thinking that it was a book about privates in Napoleon's army but you know… privates, teehee, we all have childish humor. One of my friends bent to pick it up, making me and the other friend both go "Noooo! Don't ruin the fun!" She still picked it up, chuckled and went "I don't think this ruins it…" No, it definitely didn't. What it did was making me buy the book. I'm a sucker for cheeky/unusual facts. And it's not for nothing that Horrible Histories (if you don't know what it is, check it out. Kid's show but oh it's hilarious for grown ups... more and some jokes are totally for us. the HH books are not as good though, a bit outdated) is one of my favorite shows. Actually this books is sort of like Horrible Histories for grown ups. Lots of stuff tied to sex (be it Napoleon's privates, Marquis de Sade or syphilis) but also other things you most likely never learned in history class. I loved the short chapters and drastic changes in subject and time. It's the kind of book you can read a few pages of and then put down cause you got your little nugget of information. I however read half the book in one sitting. I also appreciate the references at the end of each chapter. It shows that it's not based on rumours and gives me somewhere to go if I want to learn more.So yes, I'd certainly recommend this book if you like getting bite sized pieces of the "naughty" side of history. Oh, and it's rather funny.
review 2: Sort of a silly little book, really - basically a series of very short (1-3 pages) vignettes and anecdotes about sex, sexuality, gender, social norms, etc. in history--primarily before the 20th century. There's no logical organization; the chapters jump from one random thing to the next, which would make it perfect for amusing short-burst reading. The book is, exactly what Perrottet says it is--nothing more, nothing less. If some story does catch your attention, each of the short pieces does have some reputable sources attached, where you could find further information. less

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