For What It's Worth


Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Review: The History of the World in Fifty Dogs by Mackenzie Lee

An illustrated collection of stories about dogs that knew how to sit, stay, and witness history


Most dog lovers know Fido and Laika, but how about Martha, Paul McCartney's Old English Sheepdog? Or Peritas, Alexander the Great’s trusted canine companion? As long as there have been humans, those humans have had beloved companions—their dogs. From the ancient Egyptians mummifying their pups, to the Indian legend of the king who refused to enter the afterlife unless his dog was allowed there too, to the modern meme and popularity of terms like the corgi sploot, humans are undeniably obsessed with their dogs. Told in short, illustrated essays that are interspersed with both historical and canine factoids, The History of the World in Fifty Dogs brings to life some of history’s most memorable moments through the stories of the dogs that saw them happen. ~ Goodreads

Review: I grabbed this fun little book on my way to the register at the bookstore for my annual Dog Days of Summer reading challenge hosted by La La in the Library.
The book tells the stories of 52 dogs throughout history. There's a really good range starting with Egypt - Bark Like an Egyptian: Abuwtiyuw, History's First Recorded Dog with a Name and ending with Furgin Rebirth - How Snuppy Became the World's First Cloned Dog. There are dogs of war, dogs of royalty, therapy dogs and more.
Each story is told in historical context, occasionally with more emphasis on the historical moment than the dog, but still a very quick summary of events and a dogs part in them. Many chapters have a "sidebark" - footnotes section with additional relevant tidbits and each story has an illustration by Petra Eriksson of the dog featured. (in the style of the cover art)
All the profiles are quick 2-3 pages and told in a light (but honest about the time period - which occasionally got dark) slightly snarky tone. Lee relies a lot on pop culture/meme style language to appeal to a younger audience and that might annoy you or you can just roll with it.
An example: "Good bois were all over Egypt - it's unde-Nile-able. *shows self out*
Honestly, it could get a little grating but it's such a fast read, filled with great trivia about dogs that it didn't bother me.
This book would make a great stocking stuffer for a dog lover or coffee table book where you pick it up here & there.
*Bloggers formatting is being super wonky so sorry if this looks weird on whatever you are reading... GRRR

22 comments:

  1. Hm, I'm guessing this is the same Mackenzi Lee of The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue? I can see this being some fun, light reading for dog lovers. :)

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    1. It is! I had NO idea. I literally grabbed it for the challenge on my way to the register. It didn't even occur to me to see who the author was lol

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  2. Oh my gosh that language- yes I'd be OUT. But otherwise sounds fun. :)

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    1. Yeah, it's sometimes jokey but that's not what the whole description is so I could let it slide. I know some people couldn't though.

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  3. Is this Lee, the YA author? Sounds sort of cute

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    1. It is. I didn't even realize it until I went to write the review. I didn't check to see who the author was because it was just a fun factoid kind of book.

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  4. This sounds like a fun book. I wonder if there's a cat one too? LOL.

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    1. As far as I can tell - no cat one :-( Maybe that's the sequel lol

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  5. Sounds like an ideal read for doggie lovers. I'm with the other person who was wondering if there was a cat version available.

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    1. No cat version yet. The author had just gotten a dog so that sparked her interest in this one.

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  6. Thanks for the shoutout! 📣

    This sounds like a fun read. 😊

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  7. I could see where dog lovers would like this one.

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  8. I love dogs, and I love the kind of humor this book has!

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    1. It was a bit heavy handed at times but still a really fun book.

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  9. Honestly, that would grate on me ;)

    Nah, formatting looks good. I have such problems myself

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    1. It wasn't sooooo bad but it could be grating. Cute book overall though.

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  10. This sounds like such an interesting book! That writing style does seem like it'd get grating over the course of a whole book, but maybe not if it's quick or you read it in little bits at a time.

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    1. Yes! That's what I did. In small doses and quick chapters it's fun. When I tried to sit and read for several hours... not so much lol

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  11. I have Lee's book about women in history, that I STILL need to read. This one sounds fun. I'd enjoy the facts!

    Lauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. It didn't even occur to me that this was THAT Lee lol I have the women's book on my kindle but I haven't read it either.

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