Unruly by David Mitchell - 3/5

This was a solid read for me. I really enjoyed Mitchell’s balance between sticking to the facts and keeping the audience entertained. He’s funny without being over-the-top, and his humour makes dense historical material easier to digest. At the same time, he’s sharp and insightful; he doesn’t oversimplify or talk down to the reader, and his voice comes through clearly throughout.

That said, I often found the lineage of kings confusing. With so many similar names, rulers disappearing and returning, and complex family relationships, it was sometimes hard to keep track of who was who. The longer I read, the clearer it became, but the pre- War of the Roses section of the timeline felt new to me, and it’s a dense period of history that isn’t easy to absorb in one sitting.

Although my confusion was sometimes sticky, I’m not sure whether that’s due to Mitchell’s clarity or the inherent complexity of the period. Even so, while I may not retain much beyond what I already knew and a few new insights, Mitchell’s writing makes navigating this complicated history both engaging and enjoyable. I particularly loved Mitchell’s perspective on religion. He argues that violence is constant and not inherently caused by faith, though it can provide a convenient justification.