Horror History of the World Translated into Persian

From the “Horrible Histories” series by British children’s author and TV personality Terry Deary, a gruesome but funny account of the world’s history is now available in Persian.

“The Horrible History of the World,” a 2006 book from a series that has sold 20 million copies worldwide, is rendered in Persian and released by Ofoq publishing house.

Peyman Esmailian is the translator. He usually focuses on sci-fi, fantasy and children’s works, Mehr News Agency reported on its Persian website.

In the book, Deary presents the foul but fascinating story of humans, from brain-nibbling Neanderthals to the terrified teenage soldiers in the twentieth century, all in glorious and goriest color.

“Discover why Alexander the Great banned beards, what smelly sport was played by samurai warriors and who tried to bump off her enemies with a cake made with poisoned bath-water,” says the blurb of the book.

Deary, 72, has written over 200 books and won numerous prizes, including the award for Best Non-fiction Author of the Century from British TV program Blue Peter.

In 2012 he was the tenth most-borrowed author in British libraries, and was voted Outstanding Children’s Non-Fiction Author of the 20th Century by the British online magazine of Books for Keeps.