This book is longer than Fake History, but it has to be. The attention to factual detail (apart from the re-printed paragraph ;-) it doesn’t warrant the loss of one star) is quite extraordinary for what cannot avoid being a fairly general overview of a number of historical figures. The result is a gripping narrative of Pakistan’s turbulent political realities and the death of its leading politician. For the most part it was an enjoyable sequel, but I was disappointed to find that the chapter on Captain Scott was based so heavily on Roland Huntford's 'Scott and Amundsen', a book that is known to be incredibly biased, and in the case of some assertions untrue or without evidence (polar exploration history is my main career focus so I do know a bit about this). As in the Huntford, Scott is presented as an overly emotional, sentimental mess who wishes to climb the career ladder purely for his own egotistical reasons, we are not told that he was the sole financial support to his mother and sisters after his father and brother died, so promotion was essential to stop the family becoming destitute. The farm is the place where my story began and now it’s part of my children’s story too…I want them to know that as well as head chef and bottle washer I’m another person – a farmer’s daughter, a former bullying victim, an ex-supermodel-come-barmaid.’

Fake Heroes: Ten False Icons and How they Altered the Course Fake Heroes: Ten False Icons and How they Altered the Course

This is the extraordinary story – moving, funny, brave, and sometimes startling – of how Katriona turned her life around. How the seeds of self-belief planted by teachers in childhood stayed with her. How she found mentors whose encouragement revived those seeds in adulthood.Earth is 4.5 billion years old. In just a fraction of that time, one species among countless others has conquered it: us. Now I’m older and approaching my thirties (OK, my mid-forties, whatever) I’ve become more fascinated by what – or rather who – came before me. I want to keep the memory alive of those people who shaped me but are no longer here.’ Till the Cows Come Home is DJ and TV presenter Sara Cox’s wonderfully written, funny coming of age memoir of growing up in 1980s Lancashire. Having exposed some of the greatest lies ever told in Fake History , journalist Otto English turns his attention to some of history's biggest (and most beloved) figures. As well as a portrait of a telepathic marriage of true minds, and a snapshot of a fretful island, this is a soaring lament and a tub-thumping tirade – for all that is being lost, for all that may yet be saved’ TELEGRAPH

Fake Heroes: Ten False Icons and How they Altered the Course

This funny, big-hearted and often moving telling of Sara Cox’s semi rural upbringing is not what you’d expect from the original ladette, and one of radio’s most enduring and well loved presenters. Otto’s writing style is accessible and as another reviewer has said, this and Fake History ought to be required reading in school. If, as another reviewer has said, there is a factual error then Otto would probably feel vindicated. He is all about asking everyone - including his own readers - to read critically. Douglas Bader, JFK, Che Guevara, Mother Theresa, Andy Warhol, Coco Chanel, Captain Scott, Henry V, Thomas Midgeley and John Wayne. Winston Churchill was our greatest Prime Minister, Abraham Lincoln believed all men were created equal, the Royal Family is German, curry comes from India and many more lies! As the middle of five kids growing up in dire poverty, the odds were low on Katriona O’Sullivan making anything of her life. When she became a mother at 15 and ended up homeless, what followed were five years of barely coping.

Sara later divided her childhood days between the beloved farm and the pub she lived above with her mother, these early experiences of freedom and adventure came to be the perfect training ground for later life.

Fake Heroes: Ten False Icons and How they Altered the Course Fake Heroes: Ten False Icons and How they Altered the Course

There is absolutely no reliable evidence that Scott's wife Kathleen had an affair with Nansen, I wasn't sure why this was included at all.Illustrated through the tactics of Queen Elizabeth I, Henry Kissenger, P T Barnum, and other famous figures who have wielded – or been victimised by – power, these laws will fascinate any reader interested in gaining, observing or defending against ultimate control. Fans of The Salt Path will love this moving continuation of Raynor and her husband Moth’s journey . . . Alongside beautiful nature writing, there are thought-provoking observations on our countryside and the threat it is under’ GOOD HOUSEKEEPING Scrutinising figures from the worlds of art, politics, business, religion and royalty, he brings to light the murkier truths they would rather have kept buried away, at the same time as celebrating the unsung heroes lost to time.Fake Heroes exposes the truth of the past and helps us understand why that matters today.