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A Million Years in a Day

A Curious History of Everyday Life

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A Million Years in a Day

By: Greg Jenner
Narrated by: Greg Jenner
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About this listen

'A wonderful idea, gloriously put into practice. Greg Jenner as is witty as he is knowledgeable.' (Tom Holland)

'Delightful, surprising and hilarious, this is a fascinating history of the everyday objects and inventions we take for granted.' (Lauren Laverne)

Every day, from the moment our alarm clock wakes us in the morning until our head hits our pillow at night, we all take part in rituals that are millennia old. In this gloriously entertaining romp through human history, Greg Jenner explores the hidden stories behind these daily routines.

This is not a story of politics, wars or great events, instead Greg Jenner has scoured Roman rubbish bins, Egyptian tombs and Victorian sewers to bring us the most intriguing, surprising and sometimes downright silly nuggets from our past.

Written and narrated in a chatty style by Greg Jenner, Historical Consultant to CBBC's multi-award-winning Horrible Histories, it is an entertaining history of all those things you always wondered - and many you have never considered. It is the story of our lives, one million years in the making.

©2015 Greg Jenner (P)2015 Orion Publishing Group
Civilization Funny Witty War
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Editor reviews

Intriguing and amusing, Greg Jenner’s A Million Years in a Day: A Curious History of Everyday Life is the perfect explanation for every task and every item the average human uses on an ordinary day. In this historical audiobook edition narrated by Jenner himself, listeners learn of the history and logic behind so many of those items often taken for granted in their ability to help make life easier. As Jenner divulges the secrets behind human behaviour in this book, listeners begin to understand just how much more intelligent the human race is than already assumed. Available now from Audible.

What listeners say about A Million Years in a Day

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Humour and history, what's not to like?

Thanks to QI and Horrible Histories my interest in history has been rekindled.
Greg being a historical consultant for Horrible Histories this was the perfect opportunity for me to download, listen and consume history in a funny and accessible way.
Greg takes us on a tour of how in one day of our lives, different societies have contributed to how modern life has been shaped.
Congratulations to Greg who makes this an enjoyable experience.
It was all fascinating, funny and sometimes bizarre.

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7 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars

fascinating but some of the jokes grate a bit

This is an interesting and enjoyable work. Some of the quips and jokes are annoying but the book is well worth a visit

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2 people found this helpful

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Full on

Filled with factoids about everyday things the book can be a bit over whelming and may need a re-listen. Apart from that small gripe it’s well read and brilliant!

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Well structured and thoroughly enjoyable

Really enjoyed listening to this book. It is full of facts presented in a fascinating story from the beginning to the end of a modern day. Love Greg’s voice reading it too - like a giant episode of his podcast.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting History, Annoying Delivery

The content of this book should speak wonderfully for itself... but it doesn't get a chance, because Greg Jenner wants you to think he's funny; at least, that is how this audiobook comes across.

Jenner constantly uses colloquialisms and vulgarity to try and achieve humour (thus reach?). Unfortunately, this results in a very forced and condescending delivery, which was irritating, and immensely distracting from the often interesting factual content.

A hard, hard book to get through.

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4 people found this helpful

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interesting

interesting in parts although alot of it I'd heard before. if some of the language was changed would make an excellent kids/teenager book

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1 person found this helpful

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An interesting idea, very well carried through

An interesting idea, very well carried through from the historian of the BBC's Horrible Histories and You're Dead to Me. The main carp that may be made is that the witticisms and punning whimsy may get a bit forced at times, but overall it works fine, even for a scientist (ret) and a very amateur historian as myself. Well worth the effort.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Endlessly fascinating

Full of interesting facts weaved together in a compelling narrative and delivered with humorous confidence by the author.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant

I really love listening to Greg Jenner. His books never fail to amuse and inform. This book really taught me a lot about bathroom behaviour through the ages and dentistry. Fascinating facts and perfect puns punctuate this brilliant book.

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The most enjoyable history lesson you've ever had

Really enjoyed this book - entertaining, fascinating and often surprising. Made all the better for being read by the author. :)

Highly recommended!

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15 people found this helpful