Wurzel of Clutton and Other People History Rightfully Forgot

I keep reading authors who've fallen off the planet. This is funny and worth publishing!

Dear George
your pitches both the short and long just made me, yes made me read the book ha!
and of course the book is just wonderful. how could anyone after seeing the title of this book ignore it? and it was this that drew me to your book the first time around and then the second as well. Yes i have commented and backed your book, however cannot find the backing so will do it again, because it is WORTH IT
the VERY best of luck
If you have not already , please comment on my book and BACK it if not that is OK also
Denise
The Letter

Great concept. I like it.

Not only very funny indeed, this does what all good history should do - tell us more about our times than those it purports to describe. In this case, a great deal more. Strange that you should mention the Year of the Three Emperors. A classics scholar told me the other day that Tactitus said about one of them "He looked like he would be excellent at the job - until he actually did it." I have to say I hate the title of this book - too frivolous for what is actually not only a funny but a sharply ironic and educative read when you actually open the cover.

An engaging story with captivating writing that draws you in. Wasnt sure if I would like it at first but couldnt put it down. Backed.

An engaging story with captivating writing that draws you in. Wasnt sure if I would like it at first but couldnt put it down. Backed.

Ha! Completely mad! Love it. This makes a perfect gift book along the lines of The Meaning Of Liff, QI: The Book Of General Ignorance, 50 People Who Buggered Up Britain, Roger Melly's Profanisaurus and the like. Backed.

William J Booker (Trippers)

Mr. Fripley - As a collector of factoids and useless bits of information, I think your idea is sheer genius. However, I can't help the feeling that I would like to know more about the characters and personalities of these historically unsung.
Best Regards,
Christa

This is so original... and interesting. I've never seen anything of this sort before, and I'm such a huge history nerd, this is right up my alley. Thanks!

Amusing concept, and shows a wide knowledge of history and its potential for humour. Would make a good novelty 'bathroom book'. I did feel that the telling could be a bit livelier. Consider the voice used in Sellars & Yeatman's classic 1066 and All That, with the earnest oversimplification of A Good Thing and A Bad King. Perhaps the earnestness or the winking and nudging could be turned up a notch or two?

George,

Returning your read of Appetites. Apologies for the delay in doing so.

Well, I've read three chapters and, to be honest, I don't know what to make of this. It's like an ancient version of Digbert.

But, much of chapters one and two rings true to me (I won't say what I do for a living) and so I'll give this a quick spin on my shelf.

George
Great fun ! I wonder who Melissa reminds me of ? Backed.
Best wishes with it
William (The Caves of Caerdraig)

This reads like reality, an account that I might have read during that time about a legitimate person. Humor galore. Definitely backed.

Catherine (The Golden Thread)

Hio George,
This is brilliant, the whole idea is original and just what I needed to be reading. Packed with excellent humour that it is perfectly judged and well written. More than happy to back this.
Good luck,
James (The Lycetta Legacy).

Clever and entertaining writing, this was an enjoyable change of pace, great stories and lots of chuckles and belly laughs. Shelved.
Michael Croucher (Bravo's Veil)

What a fantastic idea! Brilliantly put together and a humerous and enjoyable read. Backed.

M&J

Terrific idea for a book - and Duplicitas' five rules make for very interesting reading during budget week! Superior satire, great stuff

Pat Black
Snarl

Chapter 39 got my attention. I love the idea for this book. The chapter was smart and funny, and it's an easy read. I hate being picky but one typo "the drink as (was) pretty average." I'm putting it on my shelf.

Sean

You must have had a lot of fun writing this, George! I certainly enjoyed reading it. The perfect book for dipping into when you've got a few odd minutes. I was reminded of Douglas Adam's in some bits - a simular quircky humour. Great stuff, on my shelf.
Paul T.

Hi, I backed this book and left a comment last night, but for some reason I don't see the comment here, so am backing again, in case that didn't register, either. This is a GREAT book! Last nights comments:

This is brilliant! I love it. At times, I was in tears I was laughing so hard. Joyfully backed and planning to read the rest. I wish you great success with this extremely clever book!
Hard to chose, but I have a few favorite quotes:
"He who speaks without jargon will find it difficult to achieve promotion in government"
and
"The will to confuse, the desire for delay, the urge to reach complete anonymity... these are the keys that will unlock the door to public service excellence."
and
"There is never enough information to make a decision. Those who disagree are not in possession of all the facts."
Too Right!
Wishing you all the best, I want this published and on my shelf!!!!
Judy Adams
The Existence Game

I relish stuff like this.

Anything that reminds us how stupid we are, one and all, and brings us back down to Earth, is worth backing/publishing and reading. Well done. Backed, of course.

(Tom Pitsis - The Bizarre and Violent World of Stamp Collecting)

George

This is my first exposure to English humour on Authonomy. It’s most welcome and I love it!

You have a strong acerbic and satirical wit that had me rolling in my seat. Chapters 1 and 2 were a little like “1066 and all that…” (one of my all-time favourites!) meets Tom Peters (Who?). I recognise those theories of blame and change but had, mistakenly, thought them to be a more modern invention. *laughing*

Absolutely superb and great fun! Please hurry up with publication. This might be my 2010 Christmas gift of choice. You have a duty to my friends and family to save them from the trivia I might otherwise send them.

Willing you to succeed. Backed before I wet my pants!

Geoffrey

Hilarious AND informative. This reminded me of the wonderful musings of Bill Bryson. I'll be dipping in more to find about some of History's less memorable characters.

Tim H
Hellbound

Very funny stuff, George. It's difficult to write humour and sustain it and you manage to do that. Very enjoyable read. On my shelf for now.

Betty K "Destiny's Weave.

It is evident that you have spent much time, energy and passion into writing this book! A very original and intelligent read! Backed with pleasure!

Liz
The Cheech Room

Very clever. There are few who can write well in this style, and the few chapters I read were very well written indeed. Jolly good show, George. All the best - backed. Kit Matthews (insight)

I've jumped around a bit, and my favorite chapter so far is Ch. 23 - Louis de Fishent. It's really a fun, fun idea, and I would encourage you to have even more fun with it; that is, I think that you could take some of these "biographies" even further over the top. It reminds me, in spirit, of Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"; that is, the "biographies" remind me a bit of the Guide entries on ridiculous people in intergalactic history. I really think that you'd be better served in taking the satire even that much further over the top. (Well, maybe not into outer space, but hopefully you get what I mean: make it biting, make it ridiculous, make it borderline insane and ludicrous.)

Also, I would be careful not to shut out your market by making your book so very British-centric; all but one of the seven or eight entries I read had ended up or started in the UK. There were specific references that I, an American, didn't quite get... but then maybe the book isn't really meant for me. You have to write what you want to write, after all, and if you want to keep this more tightly focused on satire towards British history and governmental procedure, then you should do that.

Good work! - Tom

I backed it, George. I've only read one chapter, but it's so well written and seems like a great deal of satirical fun. I'll definitely get through a few more chapters. - Tom

George unique, quirky, light yet fulfilling, like a good meal, alot of flavor without being overdone.That in itself takes skill. Sometimes humor gets overdone and becomes annoying..this was perfect...I wish you much success backed with a smile Patricia aka Columbia Layers of the Heart

I can't wait to see the illustrations!

Lisa--Leaving Goshen

What a hilarious idea for a book and brilliantly executed. Are these stories based on fact?
Plus ca change!
Backed with a chuckle.
Shalini x

Clever premise. Original, well-crafted, witty short stories. Great phasing like 'blaze of anonymity' throughout. From page one, your humor had me laughing out loud. This is satrical organizational history with a surprisingly modern twist. Backed.

What can i say? i dont know how true they are, the stories but i know the book is so well written and i like it. Backed!

Tope Apoola
Times of the supermen

If you could get the artists who do Asterix (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterix) to illustrate, you'd have a sure-fire hit.

Dear George,
I found out what I did, because I just did it again. I forgot to hit "save," so can't find my comment to you 2 days ago on what a good book you've written, so I guess i've backed it twice. Oh, well!!
Please take a moment & BACK my 2 books: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not & also: Tell Me True Love Stories.
Thanks, Susie :) Now, to remember to hit "save." ;)

Dear George, I was sure that I had backed your book, but can't find my comment to you, so will try to back it again. I received your email 2 days ago.
Hope you'll back my 2 books, too: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not. And also: Tell Me True Love Stories
Thanks, Susie :)

Chapter 1--Duplicatus

Charming satire. Very well written. I dunno. I think you've hit upon a pretty damn cool idea here. In fact, go ahead and point me to another chapter. One you're particularly proud of. I'll be glad to give it a read.

Backed

Cheers

John

The BLAME Model has an odd ring to it. Hmmmmmm.

This was very clever and a great diversion in the read.

The Gadfly

George ... how very novel, if you'll excuse the pun.

Mark.

Hi George,

This is a really interesting and fun to read book. I applaud your patience and determination to gather information on all these people of history. I read six different chapters and truly enjoyed what I read. Good Luck and Best Wishes.

Backed 100%

Patrick Armstead
Dark Lands

This is so much fun! Even if people are all "so? why should I care?" they will be won over by your dry wit and easy writing. And the stories are like little gems - a series of short stories. Fantastic.
backed
Genevieve

I have to admit, your pitch threw me, especially the last paragraph which made me laugh.

One comment on your short pitch- notice that both sentences end with the same word. Might want to revise that.

Shelved on the originality!

~Andrea, MARIPOSA

A great idea, happily backed. Kittykat (My House Eats People)

Hi, thanks for backing The Lucky Bean Tree. I have been reading your work which is wonderfully different. Backed. Kop.

An inspired idea for a book. My first thoughts are that we need some kind of intro, prologue before you dive into the heart of the matter though. Backed. Rob

George, a definite backing for trying something quite different, and for making me smile. It's interesting to finally know the origins of all the guff my manager at work is so fond of spouting. Good luck with this.
Mark (A Room Full of Ghosts)

George:
Centuries ago, I taught British History to teenagers. This happened solely because the teacher who taught me and my classmates was the best teacher we ever had; he knew his stuff, took us everywhere he could, and, above all, he made us laugh! He would have loved the zany premise of "Wurzel of Clutton..". where " all of the people contained within these pages made no significant contribution to the development of the world whatsover."

When I went to university to read History, he told me that, through time, more than 100 billion people have lived on this planet and that most of them, like most of us, will shuffle off this mortal coil never having been famous or celebrated at all. This is reality. And now, in a culture where kids are continually bombarded with images intended to make them worship celebrity, this delightful, and very english, book celebrates hilarious fictional characters in history who are stunningly mediocre, hapless, and worthy of the Darwin Prize.

"1066 and all that, Reginald Perrin, Fawlty Towers, Monty Python, Blackadder, Mr Bean, LIttle Britain, The Office, Horrible Histories: Brits have always appreciated eccentricity and comedy based on characters who are ridiculous, also-rans, totally incompetent, over the top, and just plain clueless. When I saw the title,
"Wurzel of Clutton," I immediately was reminded of simpler, less pressured, times before the IT revolution, of loveable scarecrow Wurzel Gummidge and Adge Cutler and the Wurzels. Then, on the first page I read, ." arrived on the shores of England in a blaze of anonymity in 157 B.C." Loved that!

What I have seen so far is very funny. I'm sure that anyone who feels frustrated by a present-day culture of suffocating political correctness, hypocrisy, bungling, counter-productive 'elf an safety' regulations, bureaucratic micromanagement, and the nanny-state, will get cynical pleasure in reading the bullet points and rules. I would appreciate more.
" Led by Morcant, the committee froze to death in the village hall. It was assumed that they simply could not come to agreement on what to do next.." Quite.

I enjoyed "Wurzel of Clutton.." It's easy to read and can be picked up and read in small doses to get a laugh.
I think that illustrations - perhaps in cartoon form for emphasis of the crux of the humor - would make it even funnier. I did wonder if real people should have been researched for this book; but this is historical fiction and it allows the author to blithely use anachronisms and modern language and references. Some readers may not, immediately, realize that these characters are fictional, and that is even funnier! I had an Australian friend whose mother would not believe that Dame Edna was actually a man!

I am always looking for books that I can give as Christmas, birthday presents etc. This is perfect for that.
Good Luck.
Best wishes,
Maddie

Greetings George,

Many thanks for backing "The Doctor of Summitville" and for amusing me for several hours. The sketches aren't quite up to "Aubrey's Brief Lives" or Balzac's "Droll Stories," but they're close and have earned a place in history. I especially liked those in which dramatization using dialogue, as in Chapter 40, lifted the tales from tell to show. You might consider reviewing them for similar enrichment. You had fun with the poems, and so did I. SHELVED for an enjoyable read.

Best of luck, Bill

What a fantastic idea! We all need a good laugh now and then and this certainly does the trick. Happy to give it a spin on my shelf.

Jonathan
MARTUK ... THE HOLY

I think the idea is a great and I could very easily see a book based on this idea in the shops. I read ch1 and 24 to get an idea of the sort of thing you're going for. I can see the humour and the approach you're taking and I think you're on the right lines, but I think it needs a little work. This is just my personal opinion of course so feel free to ignore.

Your use of modern terms ('media' 'party animal') distracts from the comedy, imo. I think it's right to draw comparisons between these people and modern life (that's the point of the hole book, I think) but I found it too direct and obvious a pointer. I would suggest making it clear what you're comparing things too without using modern names or words. The effect will be stronger when people get it on their own.

The stories within your histories are a little too vague. i would suggest more research and usage of more real names of people and places. They don't have to be the super famous ones of that period, but real names will add authenticity and their role in real events (again, not the super famous ones) of the time will do the same.

Duplicatas's problems are referred to in very general terms, Mary's streaking is also a bit casually tossed in there (and sort of undermines the whole famous for nothing angle - Lady Godiva already having established nudity as a cause of fame when done in that deliberate a fashion). They need specific anecdotes of their own that tell a short story, rather than generic activities. The more specific the detail the better.

I would also recommend against too many comedy names and puns as they will show up a writer at work. The idea of mirroring modern foibles in this way is strong enough, i would suggest, to stand without over-egging.

Funny idea though. Good luck with it.

regards
mood