Horrible Histories: Who's Horrible in History Award-winning author/illustrator

Author/Illustrator

Terry Deary

Terry Deary was born in Sunderland in 1946 and currently lives in County Durham. Terry is a former actor, theatre-director and Drama teacher. He spends his time writing and directing for his television production company, managing his website, terry-deary.com, and touring his Horrible Histories exhibition. Terry is the author of 116 books in the UK and over 250 more worldwide, mainly for children and teenagers, including the popular non-fiction series Horrible Histories. Horrible Histories were launched in 1993 and are now sold in 28 languages from Russia to Brazil, Scandinavia to China.

In 2003, Horrible Histories celebrates its 10th Anniversary!

In 1996 Terry was the best selling British children’s author with 5 of his books in the top ten best-sellers of the year (Waterstones Book Shop tables). In August 1997 he was still leading the way with thirteen titles in the top forty. (Bookseller listings). In 1999, The Daily Telegraph recorded that he outsold Enid Blyton by four to one and a Libraries survey made him the most-borrowed author of non-fiction in Britain – adult and children’s books. Terry currently holds 8 out of the 10 slots for ‘Most Borrowed Children’s Non-Fiction’ authors in the Public Lending Rights annual survey covering July 1998-June 1999. In November 1999 Books for Keeps magazine readers voted him “The outstanding children’s non-fiction author of the 20th Century”.

Terry’s district council have awarded Terry an “oscar” as one of their top citizens and Sunderland University have awarded Terry an Honorary Doctorate in Education (HonDEd) which was awarded in July 2000.

In early 1998, the Top Ten series was launched with two titles written by Terry, Top Ten Shakespeare Stories and Top Ten Greek Legends.

Terry’s latest additions to the Horrible Histories series are the Horrible Histories Special: France and Cruel Crimes and Painful Punishment. And if Horrible Histories wasn’t keeping him busy enough Terry has also contributed a range of titles to the True Stories series including True Mystery Stories and True Horror Stories.

The Horrible Histories exhibition is up and running in museums around Britain until 2003. He has also just set up a television production company and is negotiating to make a series of audio tapes and writing radio scripts for BBC World Service.

“If you haven’t come across ‘Horrible Histories’ before you’ve missed a true publishing phenomenon – Terry Deary seems to have invented a whole new genre with his series of books looking at history in an entirely different way.” Books Magazine, July 96

“I do not like reading very much and my Mum is pleased that I have found some books I like so much that I read them without being asked!” Fan letter from 10-year-old boy

For more information why not visit www.terry-deary.com or join his fan club?

Martin Brown

Martin Brown was born in Australia but currently lives in Dorset. In 1993, he illustrated the first of the HORRIBLE HISTORIES, and has now contributed to more than 60 titles in the series.

Reviews

1. Salwa
   on 12 December 2015

   I just finished this

   I just finished this book a few weeks ago myeslf and continue to enjoy the series. I actually purchased all of the books, well minus book six which is for some reason unavailable on EVERY site in the world. I also got the three books of the Ellie Chronicles, LOL.You might try audio for them, I got book six through audible.com..= Michelleb4s last blog .. =.

   3out of 5

Similar items

What kids think

1. 

   AngelofDeath
   on 9 March 2014

   Amazing, Terry Deary is amazing.

2. 

   alibaba4
   on 8 March 2014

   Horrible history amazing book

3. 

   BookMonster57
   on 8 March 2014

   This book is amazing. you will love the comics and they are by a great imagination!

4. 

   Spidergirl
   on 5 March 2014

   best history book ever

   5out of 5
5. 

   preciousone
   on 9 March 2013

   A good book!

   5out of 5
6. 

   queenie13
   on 9 March 2013

   love this book

   5out of 5
7. 

   pawprint2
   on 8 March 2013

   my brother has like all of these

   4out of 5
8. 

   supercoolcharm
   on 7 March 2013

   a funny but weird book.

   5out of 5
9. 

   Too-Amazayn
   on 6 March 2013

   the Horrible History books are brilliant and funny and you don’t even realise that you’re learning stuff.

10. 

    ellie-melay27
    on 6 March 2013

    funny way to learn history, i have all of the books and i really enjoy all the different series! dont teach you this cool stuff at school, well a few things

11. 

    bugzy72
    on 6 March 2013

    its a good book

12. 

    catlover96
    on 6 March 2013

    Horrible Histories are by FAR the funniest way to learn about history. Pretty awesome!

13. 

    sunnyrainbow123
    on 5 March 2013

    GREAT BOOK FOR HORRIBLE HISTORIES FANS TEACHES YOU EVERYTHING ABOUT HISTORY AND NOT THE STUFF THEY TEACH YOU AT SCHOOL….

    RATE:8/10 RECOMMEND:7+

14. 

    Paradise56
    on 5 March 2013

    this book is a good information book for children i enjoyed learning and reading at the same time

15. 

    natashakrywald
    on 4 March 2013

    ok

    5out of 5
16. 

    1Dluver2002
    on 4 March 2013

    this is a really good tv series i have watched every single episode of horrible history at ;east twice

17. 

    Magicme11
    on 3 March 2013

    funny and gross!I really liked it.

    3out of 5
18. 

    alex23
    on 16 January 2012

    i love this book