Hard nuts of history series by Tracey Turner

Ill. Jamie Lenman. A&C Black, 2014.
Warriors: Who's who in hard nut history. ISBN 9781472905642.
Ancient Egypt: Who's who in hard nut history. ISBN 9781472905635.
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Humour, Easy reads, History. Two more in this series of books which showcase some of the memorable people in history who many young people may have heard mentioned, but known anything about, are offered here to delight, inform and entertain. In short, snappy and funny pages, an outline of their lives is given which will intrigue younger readers.
People covered in Warriors, for example, include the Duke of Wellington, Julius Caesar, Geronimo, the Trung sisters, Joan of Arc, Tomyris and Napoleon. Each is given a double page spread about their life and its impact and why they are remembered. Some are well know, others not so well known, there is a range of women and men and a world view is taken by the author.
At the back is a most useful index and glossary, while the quiz will ensure some students will have a great time asking questions of others. A time line completes the information given to this most interesting little book. I longed for a world map, so make sure you have one handy.
Similarly in Ancient Egypt, double pages are devoted to famous people, Cleopatra, Ptolemy, Tutmose, Nefertiti and so on, as well as sites, the River Nile, the Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings, while double pages are also devoted to the Gods and the embalming process. All is designed to be informative and fun, with an emphasis on gaining information quickly and easily. A good index and glossary are at the back with a quiz and timeline, ensuring students will have fun with these two new books in this series.
Fran Knight