We have a series of children's books here in the UK called 'Horrible Histories' - they should DEFINATELY be required reading for children and adults alike! They are all factually correct, but they leave in the interesting bits like how the Egyptians REALLY got brains out and how they mummified cats. They cover the Ancients right up to WWII - Terrible Tudors, Measily Middle Ages, Rotten Romans... all great fun!

LTS