I would like to thank Netgalley and Watkins for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This is very readable with some good discussion on diversity in history.

Funny, charming and informative this book delivers bitesize history about characters who should be fictional and yet are actual historical figures. Bitesize snapshots of time that are highly entertaining told with real zest. This is not to be missed.

I'll be honest - the words 'TikTok historian' didn't draw me to this book as I'm far too old to grapple with too many social media platforms and so was unaware of Jenny Draper before now. I am on a perpetual hunt for engaging, lively history books - and if they're funny too then that's a bonus. The blurb of 'Mavericks' proved appealing for this reason. Thanks to Watkins Publishing and NetGalley for my review copy.

I liked the format of this audiobook - short chapters focusing on different 'mavericks' from history from whom we can learn something important, or certainly intriguing ("firing a gun at someone won't make them love you" being a favourite). The figures chosen were mostly ones I hadn't encountered before, although a few more familiar names such as Margery Kempe and the Chartists were mixed in. I enjoyed learning about historical figures who had taken the unconventional path - especially as these figures included a lot of women, non-nobles and those from around the world who don't always make it into traditional history books. The chapters revealed quirky and telling details about each of the figures, reflecting Draper's eye for an entertaining story and skills in producing vivid biographical writing.

The audiobook is engagingly narrated by the author herself - I'll admit that I enjoyed hearing the stories told in the author's own voice as the pacing sounded natural and the jokes landed well.

I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys history told with humour and wit - think along the lines of 'The Rest is History' or Terry Deary for comparison.

A fun quirky easy read. A lot of these books cover the same people so if you read one you've read them all. But this was different. A lot of the characters mentioned I had never heard of and their stories were told in an interesting, funny way that had me laughing out loud

Mavericks - Life Stories and Lessons of History’s most Extraordinary Misfits - Jenny Draper

Presented perfectly! This Audiobook, narrated by Jenny Draper, is both informative and comical at the same time. I would say I’d have loved to become a historian but why when we have such great characters as Jenny to listen to about all the goings on way back when? I’ll be sure to look out for more of her books. 👏

A highly enjoyable and humorous account of some weird and wonderfully mavericks through out history. I've always enjoyed how Jenny Draper approaches history and she brings her same wit to her first book. Every person she looked at was fascinating and I especially enjoyed the ones who were radically ahead of their time. Even if they're ideas didn't catch on immediately, they were still massively influential in later movements. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was not previously aware of Jenny Draper's work, but having enjoyed this book I have now subscribed to her TikTok channel and will be looking out for more. Perhaps I'll even plan a trip to London to take part in one of her tours?

Draper clearly enjoys history and the stories of the real people of the past. Mavericks brings a number of quirky people's life stories to our attention and explains why they're fascinating: biography meets anecdotes.

Thoroughly enjoyable and recommended to the general reader who'd like to find out about the interesting people of the past.

I don't follow or know of Jenny Draper from social media but i really liked her voice and the tone used to tell the stories of the wide range of people she explores. They all felt really interesting proved to why they belong to be considered mavericks. The stories were chosen well and i liked how wide the range of voices shown was. I don't have any real complaints about this book but some section felt like they could be a little longer as there was more that i wanted to know about the people.

Fantastic! Some known and some unknown to me.

Wonderful selection of stories from British-connected history. The lives of individuals who've been unusual, outstanding in a field, memorable, or done something remarkable that makes them very worthy of being part of this collection.

I read the audio version, with the author narrating enthusiastically. It was fab to listen along with Draper as she speaks of 24 stories, many of which will not be well known, as well as the historical context of when they lived and what was going on at the time.

The men who carried David Livingstone thousands of miles out of Africa to allow him to be buried in England. The married slave couple who escaped their captors with the wife disguising herself as a white man. The female secret agent left alone in Paris as the sole radio operator sending messages back to England.

I have now ordered a library copy of the first known autobiography, The Book of Margery Kempe, on the back of this retelling of her story.

For students young and old of history and tales of historical significance. Well-written, accessible and inspiring.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample audio reading copy.

This was really enjoyable! I learned about a number of interesting characters from history that I had never heard of! It was well written, humorous without being silly, and the narrator was great. My one criticism is that towards the end it seemed very focused on "activist" type folks...I would have liked a few more dodgy but entertaining characters from history!

I enjoyed the content of this audiobook - finding out numerous interesting facts about the lives and adventures of a number of little known historical figures who did extra-ordinary things.

The audiobook is narrated well by the author, although I found her delivery very slow and listened at 1.5x speed which I felt was an improvement.

Oh dear, what a mixed bag this is. I love titles like this; those that explore the weird and wonderful and tell the stories of those in society who are less conventional. They have a place in history and many have shaped our world. I’m not familiar with Jenny Draper’s Tik Tok channel, but note she delivers with her customary wit. And therein, for me, lays the problem.

I have the audio version, narrated by the author and I’ve had to give up as I find both her voice and style intensely irritating. I’m waiting for the inevitable inflection at the end of sentences and find the constant jokey style offputting. This is a real pity because the content is fascinating and but it feels as if it’s been dumbed down for juvenile audience. I don’t think the target market is YA, so why diminish the content by trivialising it in this way? Maybe I’d get on a little better with a hard copy, but I still feel the author has missed the mark by contriving lots of fun in the text. This is a book I wanted to love; I’m sure the research is extensive and the subjects fascinating, I’ve abandoned it and I’m sorry I can’t listen to any more. From what I’ve heard, 4+ stars for content, but overall 2 for style and delivery. Hopefully it’ll suit others better.

An amazing book about historical figures that lived extraordinary lives for one reason or another. Draper's knack for dialing up the humour when appropriate and letting it take a back seat when taking of more serious topics such as oppression and abuse make for a book that is fun and funny but still remains respectful and socially conscious. Any fan of the author's content would love the voice of the writing and her audiobook narration.