Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased. Screenwise is a Bookshop.org affiliate and an Amazon Associate, so if you buy a book through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Bookshop.org purchases also support independent bookstores.
Screenwise Verdict
Horrible Histories is the rare educational series that kids actually want to read. Terry Deary figured out that the way to hook young readers on history is to lead with the weird, the gross, and the shocking—then sneak in the actual learning.
This 2021 set covers eight major periods with a mix of cartoons, facts, and irreverent humor that makes the past feel alive rather than fossilized. Yes, it's graphic—you'll read about stuffed enemy skins, battlefield carnage, and various bodily functions—but it's all historically accurate and presented with a wink rather than nightmare fuel.
The 4.8 Amazon rating tells the story: parents buy these, kids actually read them, and suddenly everyone's talking about Tudor torture methods at dinner. If your kid thinks textbooks are sleep aids, this is your gateway drug to history. Just don't read it right before bed if they're sensitive to vivid imagery.
Age Fit
Best for ages 8-14, especially kids who find traditional history boring. The gross-out humor and irreverent tone hit perfectly for upper elementary and middle schoolers. Younger kids might need some context or find certain details too intense; older teens might find it a bit juvenile but will still appreciate the facts.
WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
78
The books take a gleefully gross approach to history—mummification, battlefield gore, stuffed enemy skins—but it's presented with humor rather than gratuitous violence. The tone is irreverent and kid-friendly, designed to make history accessible rather than traumatizing. Some parents might find the 'horrible' details too much, but most kids eat it up without emotional distress.
Imaginative
82
Terry Deary's series reimagines history as a collection of weird, wild, and disgusting facts that spark curiosity. The format invites kids to see the past as strange and fascinating rather than dry and distant. It doesn't offer hands-on creativity, but it absolutely fires up historical imagination and makes kids want to dig deeper into periods they'd otherwise ignore.
Safe
72
The content is intentionally graphic—stuffed enemy skins, battlefield descriptions, disease details—but it's all historical and presented in a cartoonish, factual way. No sexual content, no modern violence, no triggers beyond 'this is what actually happened in history.' Some web reviews mention 'too much violence' and note the goriness, but it's educational context. Parents should know what they're getting: history's ugly bits, served up with a wink.
Enriching
88
This series has turned countless reluctant readers into history buffs. The 2021 set covers major periods (Egyptians, Romans, Vikings, Middle Ages, Tudors, Victorians, WWI, WWII) with genuine historical facts wrapped in humor. Kids learn about social structures, warfare, daily life, and cultural practices in a way that sticks. The 4.8 Amazon rating and decades of popularity speak to its educational impact. It's entertaining AND informative.
Parent Info
✓
Why It Might Be Great
Turns reluctant readers into history enthusiasts by making the past weird, wild, and memorable
Covers eight major historical periods with genuine facts, not dumbed-down fluff
The humor and gross-out factor help information stick—kids remember stuffed enemy skins way better than treaty dates
4.8 Amazon rating and decades of popularity prove it works for getting kids excited about learning
Perfect for kids who think regular history books are boring torture devices
⚠
What to Watch For
The 'horrible' part is real—expect graphic descriptions of battles, diseases, executions, and other historical nastiness
Some parent reviews note concerns about violence levels, though it's all historical context rather than gratuitous
Kids with vivid imaginations might find certain details disturbing (stuffed skins, mummification processes)
Not comprehensive textbook replacements—these are highlights reels of history's weirdest moments
Conversation Starters
"What's the grossest historical fact you've learned so far? Do you think people back then thought it was gross too?"
"If you could time-travel to one of these periods for a day, which would you pick and why?"
"How do you think kids your age lived during [Vikings/Tudors/WWII]? What would be the hardest part?"
"Why do you think the author focuses on the 'horrible' parts of history instead of just the kings and queens?"
"What surprised you most about [specific period]? Was it different from what you expected?"
