by Phil Mason
First published 2012
Popular historical beliefs crumble under scrutiny in this entertaining examination of widespread historical misconceptions. Phil Mason tackles centuries of accepted "facts" that schools continue to teach despite being demonstrably false. King Harold never took an arrow to the eye at Hastings. Neanderthals possessed far greater intelligence than commonly believed. Indian curry houses served British customers before fish and chips became available. The American frontier proved considerably less lawless than legend suggests. Mason systematically dismantles these and dozens of other historical fictions that have shaped public understanding of the past. The author reveals how religious, political, military, and social narratives became distorted over time, creating a version of history that often bears little resemblance to actual events. Drawing from his expertise as the author of Napoleon's Haemorrhoids, Mason demonstrates how teachers, textbooks, and popular culture perpetuated inaccurate information across generations. Each revelation challenges readers to question what they think they know about major historical periods and figures. The book delivers surprising insights that reshape conventional understanding while providing thoroughly engaging entertainment.
Genres: history, popular-science, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: entertaining, thought-provoking
Tropes: myth-busting
251 pages · Paperback · Robson Books