Description

Book Synopsis

'Reel History is a hoot! Alex von Tunzelmann writes with a blend of playful wit and delicious snark' Greg Jenner

From ancient Egypt to the Tudors to the Nazis, the film industry has often defined how we think of the past. But how much of what you see on the screen is true? And does it really matter if filmmakers just make it all up?

Picking her way through Hollywood's version of events, acclaimed historian Alex von Tunzelmann sorts the fact from the fiction. Along the way, we meet all our favourite historical characters, on screen and in real life: from Cleopatra to Elizabeth I, from Spartacus to Abraham Lincoln, and from Attila the Hun to Nelson Mandela.

Based on the long-running column in the Guardian, Reel History takes a comic look at the history of the world as told through the movies - the good, the bad, and the very, very ugly.



Trade Review
Witty, fascinating, charming... a wonderful book * Kate Williams *
Reel History is a hoot! Alex von Tunzelmann writes with a blend of playful wit and delicious snark * Greg Jenner, official historian to TV's Horrible Histories *
Great fun -- Marcus Berkmann * Spectator *

Reel History: The World According to the Movies

    Product form

    £15.29

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £16.99 – you save £1.70 (10%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Wed 5 Aug 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Alex von Tunzelmann

    Out of stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Reel History: The World According to the Movies by Alex von Tunzelmann

      Publisher: Atlantic Books
      Publication Date: Publication Date: 03/11/2016
      ISBN13: 9781782396482, 978-1782396482
      ISBN10: 1782396489

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      'Reel History is a hoot! Alex von Tunzelmann writes with a blend of playful wit and delicious snark' Greg Jenner

      From ancient Egypt to the Tudors to the Nazis, the film industry has often defined how we think of the past. But how much of what you see on the screen is true? And does it really matter if filmmakers just make it all up?

      Picking her way through Hollywood's version of events, acclaimed historian Alex von Tunzelmann sorts the fact from the fiction. Along the way, we meet all our favourite historical characters, on screen and in real life: from Cleopatra to Elizabeth I, from Spartacus to Abraham Lincoln, and from Attila the Hun to Nelson Mandela.

      Based on the long-running column in the Guardian, Reel History takes a comic look at the history of the world as told through the movies - the good, the bad, and the very, very ugly.



      Trade Review
      Witty, fascinating, charming... a wonderful book * Kate Williams *
      Reel History is a hoot! Alex von Tunzelmann writes with a blend of playful wit and delicious snark * Greg Jenner, official historian to TV's Horrible Histories *
      Great fun -- Marcus Berkmann * Spectator *

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account