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The Stuff of History

A Curated Compendium of Curious Objects and Forgotten People

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The Stuff of History

By: Steven Moore
Narrated by: Steven Moore
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About this listen

 'Moore is wickedly charming - the naughty uncle you want to be sat beside at the dinner table' - Daily Telegraph

Too often history focuses on the tales of kings, or those (often men) who were given the credit for shaping our stories. Yet, what fascinates most are the figures who have passed through the cracks of history, people like:

- The fourteen-year-old boy who lived undetected in the chimneys of Buckingham Palace
- Archie Lee, the re-inventor of Santa Claus
- The women at Playtex who helped put the first man on the moon
- Unknown war hero Tommy Brown, whose extraordinary bravery helped the code breakers of Bletchley

But it's not just forgotten heroes that you'll meet, this compendium also reveals the curious back stories behind everyday objects - the humble fork, the china cup, the real history of tea, and Queen Victoria's underwear - to name but a few.

The Stuff of History is a thoughtful, entertaining and carefully curated miscellany of fascinating forgotten histories from Antiques Roadshow stalwart, and popular historian with a huge Instagram following, Steven Moore.©2025 Steven Moore (P)2025 Bonnier Books UK Art Europe Great Britain Royalty War
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I very much enjoyed this. It was a great listen full of interesting facts and stories. Highly recommended!

Very entertaining

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excellent bits of history deliciously delivered with refinement and enthusiasm looking g forward to the next one.

fascinating

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The best book I've heard or read in ages. I could have listened on and on to another 100+ chapters. I am a non-fiction fan but Steven's creativity, characterisation, story telling twists and astonishing expertise make for the most playful and delightful few hours. If one's preference or need is for a book you can dip in and out of in short bursts that also fits as each chapter is self-contained. So much fun that it's staying ready for me to revisit when I need another escape into the style and substance it offers, secure in knowing that it will both teach me something surprising and (most especially) surely lift my spirits. Thank you Steven !

An absolutely delightful listen !

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I got the impression (rightly or wrongly) that the author kind of expected the listener to know who he was and what he'd done before. I didn't know him and thought his delivery was kind of odd. I normally like books that leap off at tangents but this one seemed to leap all over the place and it was hard to follow where they were going or what the point was. Some of the stories were interesting but there was a lot of (to me) pointless detail. I won't be bothering with any more of his books. I managed a total of 2 in the end of book quiz.

A bit dull

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