The first mainstream history of humour. Well-researched and often hilarious, this book from household name William Hartston, a presenter, author and journalist, makes a perfect gift.
William Hartston Book order






- 2023
- 2022
A delightful and witty treasure trove of utterly useless information by the author of The Things That Nobody Knows.
- 2020
Numb and Number
- 304 pages
- 11 hours of reading
An entertaining exploration of the misuse of mathematics in our everyday lives that shows how we can combat the rising tide of misinformation.
- 2020
A mindbending history of the greatest puzzles of all time, by the author of The Things That Nobody Knows.
- 2018
Sloths
- 208 pages
- 8 hours of reading
A wonderfully entertaining celebration of that most unique of creatures: the sloth.
- 2017
The Bumper Book of Things Nobody Knows
- 790 pages
- 28 hours of reading
A witty and fascinating exploration of the limits of human knowledge of our planet, its history and culture, and the universe beyond.
- 2016
Even More Things That Nobody Knows: 501 Further Mysteries of Life, the Universe and Everything
- 384 pages
- 14 hours of reading
Delving into the boundaries of human understanding, this book examines our planet's history, culture, and the vast universe. The author, known for "The Things that Nobody Knows," invites readers to contemplate the mysteries that remain unsolved and the knowledge that shapes our perception of existence. Through thought-provoking insights, the narrative challenges the limits of what we think we know about ourselves and the cosmos.
- 2015
Even More Things That Nobody Knows
- 400 pages
- 14 hours of reading
A fascinating and unputdownable exploration of the limits of human knowledge of our planet, its history and culture, and the universe beyond, from the author of The Things that Nobody Knows.
- 2012
The Things that Nobody Knows
- 384 pages
- 14 hours of reading
Original publication and copyright date: 2011.
- 2006
Mr. Hartston's Most Excellent Encyclopedia of Useless Information: The Supreme Miscellany of Fantastic Facts
- 360 pages
- 13 hours of reading
Organized alphabetically and packed with cross-references, this book offers a treasure trove of amusing trivia and eccentric facts that go beyond the ordinary. It serves as a delightful distraction from daily life, providing answers to obscure questions and showcasing zany statistics. Ideal for trivia enthusiasts, it invites readers to explore and share its wealth of fascinatingly useless information, making it a unique addition to the genre of trivia collections.

